Backstory Sessions: Recent Episodes
backstorysessions
If you ever wondered, “what’s the story behind that story” then Backstory Sessions is for you. Based on the writing and projects of Matt Rifenburg and Cat Rhoden Goguen, each episode takes a behind the scenes look at their work and spotlights guests who have their own stories to tell.
This week on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives, we welcome Johnny Owens, son of country music legend Buck Owens.
Johnny takes us behind the famous name to share memories of Buck as a father, the extraordinary musical legacy he left behind, and what it means to carry that legacy forward nearly 20 years after his passing.
We also talk about the 60th anniversary of the iconic Live From Carnegie Hall album and Johnny’s new recording of a song forever connected to the Owens legacy — “Act Naturally.” 🎶
It’s a conversation about family, music, memories, and finding your own place inside an American country music legacy.
🎧 Listen now to Backstory Sessions!
BackstorySessions #JohnnyOwens #BuckOwens #ActNaturally #BakersfieldSound #CountryMusic #MusicHistory #ConversationsWithCreatives #BehindTheMusic #NewEpisode
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Kennedy Reid Gives Back to Kentucky
What happens when an American Idol Top 20 finalist uses her music to make a difference?
In this special episode of Backstory Sessions, Kennedy Reid joins us to talk about her journey from the American Idol stage to benefit concerts that support communities and causes close to her heart. She shares the story behind her music, what life has been like since Idol, preparing to welcome her first baby, and why she said “yes” to helping Tri-County Mystery Meets’ Barbourville to Broadway campaign.
We also discuss:
🎤 Her American Idol experience
❤️ Why giving back through music matters
🎭 Helping send The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt to an Off-Broadway stage in New York City
👶 Balancing music, family, and a new chapter in life
✨ What audiences can expect at her August 8 concert in Barbourville
If you love country music, inspiring stories, and artists who use their platform to help others, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
🎟️ See Kennedy Reid LIVE!
📅 Saturday, August 8
📍 Rector Little Theatre, Union Commonwealth University – Barbourville, KY
🚪 Doors Open: 1:30 PM
🎶 Youth Opening Performances: 1:45 PM
⭐ Kennedy Reid: 2:00 PM
🎭 Benefiting Tri-County Mystery Meets’ “Barbourville to Broadway” Program, supporting the Off-Broadway presentation of The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt.
💙 Concert Sponsor: Atienza Acob Medical Center
BackstorySessions #KennedyReid #AmericanIdol #BarbourvilleToBroadway #TriCountyMysteryMeets #TheSweetLife #CountryMusic #Podcast #KentuckyMusic #LiveMusic #SupportTheArts #BarbourvilleKY
Backstory Sessions – Brandon Wood: A Journey to Every Country on Earth
What does it take to visit every country in the world?
This week on Backstory Sessions, Cat Goguen sits down with world traveler Brandon Wood to hear the incredible story behind one of the rarest accomplishments imaginable—setting foot in every sovereign nation on Earth.
From breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable cultures to unexpected challenges and life-changing moments, Brandon shares the adventures that transformed his view of the world and himself.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- 🌍 What inspired Brandon to pursue every country on Earth
- ✈️ His most unforgettable travel experiences
- 🗺️ Hidden gems and surprising destinations
- 🤝 The kindness and generosity he’s encountered across cultures
- 🍽️ Memorable foods, traditions, and customs
- 💡 Lessons learned from seeing the world firsthand
- ❤️ How travel has changed his perspective on humanity
Whether you’re an avid traveler, a dreamer with a bucket list, or simply love hearing remarkable stories, this conversation is packed with adventure, insight, and inspiration.
Join us as we go beyond the passport stamps and explore the backstory of a man whose curiosity carried him around the globe.
🎙️ Host: Cat Goguen
🎧 Guest: Brandon Wood
🌎 Topic: Visiting Every Country in the World
Be sure to subscribe to Backstory Sessions for more conversations with creatives, adventurers, and remarkable people whose stories inspire us all.
✨ This week on Backstory Sessions…
What happens when one person sees a need in their community—and decides to do something about it?
Join us as we welcome Debbie Gilbert, Founder of IGOT Communities (Independently Growing Older Together), for an inspiring conversation about purpose, service, and creating places where adults 55+ can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Debbie shares the personal experiences that inspired IGOT Communities, the challenges of building a movement from the ground up, and why meaningful connections can change lives at every age.
Whether you’re planning for your own future, caring for a loved one, or simply believe in the power of community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
🎙 Backstory Sessions
Guest: Debbie Gilbert, Founder of IGOT Communities
📅 Airs July 12
Because every great organization begins with a story—and every story has the power to inspire.
BackstorySessions #DebbieGilbert #IGOTCommunities #IndependentlyGrowingOlderTogether #CommunityMatters #AgingWell #ActiveAging #Podcast #ConversationsWithCreatives #Kentucky #Inspiration #PurposeDriven #Storytelling
🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸
As we celebrate this historic Independence Day weekend and America’s Semiquincentennial, we’re honored to welcome one of the nation’s most recognizable patriotic voices to Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives.
🎙️ This week, Lee Greenwood joins us for a special conversation about patriotism, America’s 250th anniversary, the meaning behind God Bless the U.S.A., Flag Day, Freedom 250, and the celebrations taking place across our nation as we look toward this historic milestone.
Whether you’ve grown up singing his iconic anthem or are discovering the story behind the music for the first time, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Thank you to all who have served, sacrificed, and continue to make our nation stronger.
🎧 Listen now and celebrate America’s 250th with us!
BackstorySessions #LeeGreenwood #America250 #Freedom250 #GodBlessTheUSA #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #Patriotism #ConversationsWithCreatives #Podcast #USA250 🇺🇸
🎬 Coming June 28 on Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives…
Award-winning filmmaker and director Sarah Friedland joins us to discuss her acclaimed debut feature film, Familiar Touch.
Inspired by her work in memory care, Sarah shares the story behind this deeply moving film exploring identity, aging, memory, and the enduring need for human connection. We’ll talk about her creative journey, the challenges of directing such an intimate story, and why empathy has always been at the heart of her work.
Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the power of film to help us better understand one another.
🎧 Premieres Sunday, June 28.
BackstorySessions #SarahFriedland #FamiliarTouch #IndependentFilm #FilmDirector #Filmmaking #MemoryCare #HumanConnection #Storytelling #Podcast #ConversationsWithCreatives #FilmFestival
🎙️ Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives!
This week, we’re honored to welcome legendary singer-songwriter Skip Ewing to the podcast.
With 11 No. 1 songs, and hits recorded by artists including Randy Travis, Keith Urban, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and many more, Skip has spent decades telling stories through music.
Join us as we discuss his powerful new single, Play On, the inspiration behind his upcoming album Dragonfly, life in Music City, and the perseverance it takes to keep moving forward through life’s challenges.
🎧
Whether you’re celebrating with family today or remembering a father who helped shape your journey, we wish you a meaningful and blessed Father’s Day.
BackstorySessions #SkipEwing #PlayOn #Dragonfly #FathersDay #CountryMusic #Songwriter #Nashville #ConversationsWithCreatives #Podcast #NewMusic #StoryBehindTheSong
🎙️ BACKSTORY SESSIONS
Conversations with Creatives
Join us as we welcome rock vocalist and songwriter Brett Hellings of the band Hellings to the podcast!
Brett joins us to talk about his latest single, “Chance on Love,” the lead release from the upcoming New York Sessions EP, along with the creative journey that has taken him from Pennsylvania to Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.
We’ll discuss songwriting, perseverance, the evolution of the Hellings sound, and the stories behind the music. Plus, Brett shares the inspiration behind taking a chance on love, life, and the next chapter of his career.
If you’re a fan of authentic rock music, powerful storytelling, and the creative process behind great songs, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
🎧 Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Hosted by Cat & Willie
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #BrettHellings #Hellings #ChanceOnLove #NewYorkSessions #RockMusic #Songwriter #Podcast
🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Guest: Courtney Gaines
This week on Backstory Sessions, we welcome actor, musician, and storyteller Courtney Gaines for a conversation about creativity, perseverance, and what’s next in his career.
Courtney joins us to discuss his upcoming film Barn 3, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges and rewards of bringing a character to life, and what audiences can expect from the new movie.
We also talk about his music career, including songs currently climbing the radio charts, the inspiration behind his songwriting, and how music and film continue to influence one another in his creative journey.
From the set to the stage, this is a conversation about storytelling, reinvention, and staying true to your artistic voice.
🎧 Tune in for an engaging look at the life and work of Courtney Gaines on Backstory Sessions.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #CourtneyGaines #Barn3 #IndependentFilm #CountryMusic #Songwriting #CreativeJourney #MusicAndMovies #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #BehindTheScenes
🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Special Episode: The Casts of The Sweet Life
This week on Backstory Sessions, we bring together cast members from two productions of The Sweet Life: Story of Ruth Hunt—the Mount Sterling production through Gateway Regional Arts Center and the Barbourville production with Tri-County Mystery Meets.
Same story. Same characters. Two communities. Two casts. One sweet legacy.
In this special episode, we talk about bringing Ruth Hunt’s story to life, what the production meant to each cast, the moments that stayed with them, and how this Kentucky story has grown from the stage to an upcoming New York City performance.
Join us for a heartfelt behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling, community, candy, creativity, and The Sweet Life.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #TheSweetLife #StoryOfRuthHunt #RuthHunt #GatewayRegionalArtsCenter #TriCountyMysteryMeets #MountSterlingKY #BarbourvilleKY #KentuckyTheatre #AppalachianStories #CommunityTheatre #BehindTheScenes #PodcastEpisode
🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Special Memorial Day Episode
Guest: Michael Peterson
This week on Backstory Sessions, we welcome Michael Peterson for a special Memorial Day conversation honoring service, sacrifice, memory, and music.
Through songs like “We Are Veterans,” Michael uses storytelling to give voice to courage, loss, brotherhood, and the deep gratitude owed to those who have served. In this episode, we talk about the heart behind the music, the stories that shaped these songs, and why remembering matters—not just on Memorial Day, but always.
Join us for a meaningful conversation filled with music, reflection, and respect.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #MichaelPeterson #MemorialDayEpisode #WeAreVeterans #Veterans #HonorAndRemember #MilitaryFamilies #CountryMusic #MusicPodcast #StoryBehindTheSong #Songwriting #PatrioticMusic #PodcastEpisode
🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Guests: Jesse & Noah
This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with Jesse and Noah for a conversation about music, creativity, family legacy, and the stories that shape the songs.
From their musical roots to the experiences that continue to inspire their work, Jesse and Noah share what it means to create with heart, honor where they come from, and keep moving forward with their own sound and story.
Join us for a conversation filled with music, memories, and the backstory behind the journey.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #JesseAndNoah #MusicPodcast #SingerSongwriter #CountryMusic #AmericanaMusic #StoryBehindTheSong #CreativeJourney #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #MusicStories
We’re kicking off Season 18 with music, personality, and one unforgettable conversation.
This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with Kody Norris to talk about the stories behind the sound, the style, and the stage presence that make The Kody Norris Show such a standout in bluegrass and country music.
From preserving tradition to putting a fresh spark into every performance, Kody shares what drives his creativity, how he built a show that feels both classic and completely his own, and why storytelling remains at the heart of great music.
It’s a conversation about roots, rhythm, showmanship, and the power of keeping music alive for the next generation.
🎧 Join us for a brand-new episode of Backstory Sessions.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #KodyNorris #TheKodyNorrisShow #BluegrassMusic #CountryMusic #MusicPodcast #StorytellingThroughSong #TraditionalMusic #AmericanaMusic #PodcastEpisode #LiveMusic
Guest: Chas Collins
Episode Date: April 5, 2026
Season 17 Finale
We’re closing out Season 17 with a voice that knows how to capture a moment—and turn it into a song you don’t forget.
This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with Chas Collins to talk about the story behind his music, including the emotion and imagery woven into his latest release, “She Gave Me That Look.” It’s the kind of song that pulls you in instantly—one glance, one feeling, one moment that says everything without saying a word.
In this episode, Chas shares the inspiration behind his songwriting, the real-life experiences that shape his lyrics, and how he brings storytelling to life through music. We talk about the balance between modern country and classic influence, the importance of authenticity, and what it means to create songs that connect on a deeper level.
As we wrap this season, this conversation feels like the perfect send-off—honest, grounded, and rooted in the kind of storytelling that Backstory Sessions is all about. See you in May!
This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with Lee Newton to talk about music that doesn’t just entertain—but means something. With deep roots in traditional country and a passion for preserving its storytelling soul, Lee brings authenticity, strength, and heart to everything she sings.
In this episode, Lee shares the journey behind her music, including the emotion and purpose woven into her latest work and collaborations. We dive into the importance of honoring the women who paved the way in country music, the responsibility of carrying that legacy forward, and how today’s artists can stay grounded in truth while still evolving their sound.
From powerful vocals to powerful stories, this conversation is a reminder that the best music doesn’t just come from talent—it comes from experience, resilience, and heart.
🎙️ Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Episode: Whey Jennings – Baptized by Fire
In this powerful episode of Backstory Sessions, we sit down with rising country artist Whey Jennings to talk about his deeply personal new album, Baptized by Fire.
Whey opens up about the journey behind the music—the struggles, the redemption, and the moments that shaped both his life and his sound. Carrying a legendary last name comes with expectations, but Whey is carving his own path with authenticity, grit, and a voice that tells the truth.
From the influence of family legacy to the fire it takes to become your own artist, this conversation goes beyond the songs and into the heart of what it means to start over, stay grounded, and keep going.
🔥 If you love real stories, raw honesty, and country music with soul—this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in now and hear the story behind the music.
BackstorySessions #WheyJennings #BaptizedByFire #CountryMusic #OutlawCountry #NewMusic #AppalachianVoices #Storytelling #ConversationsWithCreatives #TCMM #PodcastLife #RealStories
This week on Backstory Sessions, we sit down with legendary singer-songwriter Lobo, the voice behind timeless hits like “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo,” “I’d Love You to Want Me,” and “Don’t Expect Me to Be Your Friend.” With a career spanning decades, Lobo helped define the warm, storytelling style of 1970s folk-pop and continues to connect with audiences around the world.
In this episode, Lobo reflects on the unexpected journey from writing songs in Florida to hearing his music echo across international airwaves. We talk about the stories behind his biggest hits, the inspiration that shaped his songwriting, and how the music industry—and the world of storytelling through song—has evolved over the years.
From the golden era of singer-songwriters to today’s global audience, Lobo shares memories, wisdom, and the creative spirit that continues to drive his music.
It’s a conversation about legacy, authenticity, and the songs that stand the test of time.
Listen in as we explore:
🎶 The inspiration behind Lobo’s most beloved songs
🎶 Life during the golden era of folk-pop songwriting
🎶 How storytelling remains at the heart of great music
🎶 The enduring power of simple, honest lyrics
Join us for a nostalgic and heartfelt conversation with one of music’s most recognizable voices.
BackstorySessions #ConversationsWithCreatives #Lobo #SingerSongwriter #ClassicHits #70sMusic #FolkPop #Songwriting #MusicLegends #MusicPodcast #StoryBehindTheSong #MarchMusicMadness
🎙 Backstory Sessions: Conversations with Creatives
Guest: Paul Locander
📅 March 8, 2026
Every story begins somewhere—and often long before the spotlight.
In this episode of Backstory Sessions, we sit down with author Paul Locander to explore the inspiration behind his gripping novel Power & Way. Paul shares the personal experiences, faith, and creative journey that shaped his storytelling and brought his characters to life.
From the spark of an idea to the discipline of finishing a novel, Paul opens up about the writing process, the themes that matter most to him, and the deeper message behind his work. Along the way, we discuss how resilience, belief, and life’s unexpected turns can shape both the stories we write and the lives we live.
If you love meaningful conversation about creativity, storytelling, and the path that leads artists to their work, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
✨ Where stories begin before the spotlight.
Love stories don’t all begin the same way. Some begin with decades of shared memories. Some begin with laughter. And some are built slowly — with loyalty, devotion, and a steady presence that never fades.
In the final installment of our February Love Stories series, we sit down with Jim Paulk — a man whose life reflects a love that endured through time, change, and commitment.
With warmth, humor, and heartfelt reflection, Jim shares the story of his great love — how it began, how it grew, and what sustained it through the years. This conversation is a reminder that lasting love isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about showing up. Staying steady. Choosing each other again and again.
As Jim speaks, you hear not only a love story, but a legacy — one that reminds us that the deepest love often reveals itself in the everyday moments.
This episode closes out our Love Stories series with something timeless: a testimony that love, when nurtured with faith, friendship, and resilience, doesn’t simply survive — it becomes a story worth telling.
Building a Sweet Life Together
Love doesn’t always begin with fireworks. Sometimes it begins with friendship, shared dreams, and the quiet decision to build something meaningful side by side.
In this heartfelt February Love Stories episode of Backstory Sessions, Kevin and Jenn share the story of how they met, how their relationship evolved, and how working together on The Sweet Life has shaped not only their creative journey—but their marriage.
They open up about the early days of their relationship, the moments that tested them, and the ways collaboration deepened their connection. What happens when love and purpose intersect? When your partner becomes your teammate, your sounding board, and your greatest supporter?
Kevin and Jenn reflect on:
- How they first knew their connection was different
- The challenges and rewards of creating together
- How storytelling and shared vision strengthened their bond
- The small, everyday choices that sustain long-term love
This episode is about partnership—not just in romance, but in mission. It’s about choosing each other in the middle of busy schedules, creative pressures, and life’s unpredictability.
Because sometimes the sweetest love story is the one you build together.
Sometimes love begins in the most ordinary places… over coffee, across a table, in the middle of an ordinary day at Panera.
In this episode of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, Kim and Marty share the story of how a simple meeting turned into something neither of them expected—but both of them needed. What started as conversation became connection. What began as chance became choice.
Their story is filled with the quiet moments where trust is built, laughter returns, and two lives slowly begin to weave together. It’s about recognizing something familiar in someone new—and having the courage to see where it leads.
This episode reminds us that love doesn’t always arrive with grand gestures. Sometimes it shows up with coffee, conversation, and the willingness to stay a little longer.
🎙 Guests: Kim and Marty
☕ Where it all began: Panera
Because sometimes the place you stopped for a moment… becomes the place everything changed.
Love sometimes looks like sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like patience. And sometimes, it looks like a son who chooses to stay.
In this powerful episode of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with author Mark Steven Porro to talk about one of the most profound forms of love there is—the love of a caregiver for a parent. At age 55, Mark stepped away from his independent bachelor life to become a full-time caregiver to his 90-year-old mother, a woman who was sharp-witted, stubborn, funny, and slowly slipping into memory loss.
His memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode, captures the raw, real, and unexpectedly humorous moments of that journey. From frustration to tenderness, from exhaustion to grace, Mark shares what it meant to care for the woman who once cared for him—and how the experience transformed him in ways he never expected.
This episode is about devotion. About role reversal. About finding meaning in the hardest seasons. And about the quiet, enduring power of unconditional love.
🎙 Guest: Mark Steven Porro
📖 Author of A Cup of Tea on the Commode
📅 February 21, 2026
Because some love stories aren’t about finding someone new… they’re about honoring the ones who were there from the very beginning.
Backstory Sessions Podcast — Love Stories Edition
Guest: Christopher Wyze | “Her Name In My Song”
What happens when love leaves—but the music stays?
In this heartfelt Valentine’s Love Stories episode of Backstory Sessions, Cat sits down with Christopher Wyze of Christopher Wyze & The Tellers to explore the real story behind his powerful song, “Her Name In My Song.” More than just a breakup anthem, this conversation uncovers the emotional truth behind loving deeply, losing bravely, and transforming heartbreak into art that lives on long after the relationship ends.
Christopher shares what inspired the song, the moment he realized some names never leave you, and how songwriting became both a refuge and a reckoning. Together, Cat and Christopher talk about vulnerability, creative honesty, and the courage it takes to turn private pain into something that helps others heal.
This episode is about more than one song—it’s about the people who shape us, the love stories that never fully end, and the music that keeps their memory alive….but does he reveal her name?
In our Valentine’s Day edition of Backstory Sessions: Love Stories, we sit down with John and Anna, whose journey reminds us that love has no expiration date and no single timeline. Their story is filled with unexpected turns, deep devotion, and the kind of connection that proves it’s never too late for your life to change in the most beautiful way.
You’ll hear how they found each other, what sustained them, and why their love continues to work. It’s honest, raw and a powerful reminder that the greatest stories aren’t written —they’re lived.
Join us for a conversation that will make you smile, reflect, and believe in love all over again.
🎙 Backstory Sessions: Love Stories — Valentine’s Day Edition
Guests: John and Anna
📅 February 14, 2026
Because every love story deserves to be told.
What are the odds that a quick stop at a gas station turns into a lifelong love story? For Jeff and Camille, it was destiny—with a soundtrack by Sting and a little help from the universe.
In this episode, Jeff and Camille share the unforgettable story of how they met during an ordinary moment that became anything but. Bonding instantly over their shared love of Sting, their first date quickly revealed something deeper: a mutual curiosity about the world, bold predictions about the future, and yes… a fascination with aliens. 👽
From cosmic connections to music-fueled romance, this love story proves that sometimes the universe nudges you exactly where you’re meant to be—right next to pump number three.
It’s quirky, heartfelt, and full of wonder. Buckle up for a love story that’s truly out of this world.
February is for love and Gary and Gwyn will make you want a love like theirs.
Some love stories are loud.
Some are dramatic.
And some are quietly powerful.
Gary and Gwyn’s is the kind that grows stronger with time.
In this episode, they share their journey — the early days, the challenges, the laughter, the lessons, and the deep commitment that has carried them through the years.
It’s a story about choosing each other.
About growing together.
About learning how to love better — even when it’s hard.
If you believe in real love…
the kind built on patience, faith, friendship, and forgiveness…
this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now to hear Gary & Gwyn’s beautiful backstory.
BackstorySessions #LoveStories #FebruaryLove #RealLove #MarriageJourney #StorytellingPodcast #AppalachianStories #LongLove #FaithAndFamily #HeartStories #podbean
We end our January author's month with 11 year old Chayton Hudson. Chayton has published 16 books available on amazon. Hear all about The Adventures of Chaycat and Jordy Rabbit.
Miles Spencer, founder and CEO of Reflekta.ai. Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, media creator, and mentor, I've witnessed the immense value of preserving stories. I speak with my dad daily, even though he passed away eight years ago, because Reflekta allows us to share dynamic, spontaneous conversations just like we did before. As we talk, his responses continue to evolve, and our connection actually deepens over time.
One core mission behind Reflekta is to help Seniors and Veterans record their stories in a living, interactive way so their legacy can be cherished and passed down by families for generations. I've seen firsthand how powerful this is for groups looking for meaningful ways to connect across time and distance. With the right info, bringing a loved one's voice and stories to life takes less than twenty minutes, and I'd be thrilled to demo this process live for your listeners or even help you create your own loved one to connect with on air.
The Cove Schools was the first of its kind in the nation—a school for those who (in 1948) were referred to as brain-injured children. My own difficulties are a pretty good cluster of the issues many Cove students were dealing with: low IQ, poor coordination, medical conditions, hyperactivity, distractibility, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. There were no programs, much less schools, for such students in Kentucky in the spring of 1962. Yet by the fall of 1962 such children were enrolled in special education classes throughout the Fayette County Public Schools system..
Consequently, it is important to point out that since this school was unique—the only school of its type in the United States—the school was performing a service by training both teachers how to teach and parents how to nurture their children.
The first half of this memoir, "Yearnings," was written primarily in the form of a Japanese haibun—a form that utilizes a combination of prose and poetry. So clearly this is not an attempt at writing a traditional memoir. Neither is it a traditional haibun, particularly since it contains poems beyond just haiku. Even elephant jokes are included here, as are some family photographs. Yet I wrote this part of the book largely in the haibun form because it is best able to tell the story.
Finally, this memoir is built around many documents from the period 1948-1966. Some 'errors' are due to the fact that some spelling conventions (class room, work books, etc.) and grammar conventions have changed over time. In other instances, the spelling errors are due to the author's misspelling of words (Sonday instead of Sunday) in letters home (ages 7-11). And in both instances corrections have not been made and there are neither in-text recognition of those errors nor footnotes. Please assume errors in this text exist for one of those reasons.
Join our conversation with creative Gary Bryant. We discuss his many projects.
Ace of Hearts
The sequel (Things Aren't What They Seem, also published)
In progress: Missing (the third and final book of the series)
Currently conducting interviews for the book about the tornado.
Ace Johnson: Mysteries with Heart (My audio theatrical adaptation of
Ace of Hearts)
Regional Book Fair,
What are your resolutions or goals for 2026? What do you give yourself permission to let go of in the new year? Tune in as Cat and Willie discuss some top resolutions and why they might be successful or not.
This week, Colin Stough joins us for a candid conversation about his journey, staying grounded through change, and the stories that shape his music. Guest host Willie Carr helps guide a thoughtful discussion on creativity, resilience, and what it means to grow in the public eye.
We also dive into Colin's new song, "Best For You," and the personal meaning behind this powerful release.
Catch a cozy, no-filter chat with Louie James as he opens up about growing up near London, how classic American cinema lit his imagination, and the wild adventures of indie filmmaking that shaped his career. We dive into his intense roles, physical stunts in River of Blood, and the twists of performing in the new time-loop horror Manor of Darkness — releasing December 9th.
Louie talks acting training, the power of honest collaboration, why darker stories still hold a glimmer of humanity, and even his thoughts on ghosts, guardian angels, and how tech (including AI) can help indie filmmakers punch above their weight. It’s like hanging out with a thoughtful, slightly dramatic friend — intimate, honest, and a little spooky.
Hey Chris — excited to share a sneak peek of Season 3 of Backstory Sessions. It’s that warm, old-school country variety you remember: live audiences, brotherly chemistry, comedy bits, and unforgettable moments (yes, Randy Travis stole the show).
We’re taping at the Stockyards studio, touring hard, and dropping new country and gospel records soon — consider this your invite to grab a seat, laugh along, and feel right at home.
Looking for a gift idea? Tune in as Cat suggests some ideas and discusses them with tonight's co-host Willie.
Hello Backstory fans! — Come and hang out with us as we close out season 16 with a fun interview with Nell Campbell (Columbia)from Rocky Horror. She spills how she was literally tapped into the role, how the Time Warp came to be, and why Rocky Horror still lights up people’s lives 50 years later.
It’s full of backstage stories, fan love, and a sneak peek at her one-woman show All’s Nels That Ends Nels — perfect for longtime fans or anyone curious about how a tiny London show became a global cult phenomenon.
Hello Backstory fans! Grab a seat and listen in: this episode wraps up our Resilient series with raw, real stories that somehow turn fear into hope. We chat about the upcoming show, behind-the-scenes writing challenges.
We also have a powerful conversation with our guest, Donna Mills about her daughter’s fight with leukemia — it’s heartbreaking and inspiring all at once.
Tickets are on Eventbrite for the December performances of the Resilience shows, and we also sneak in a fun Rocky Horror anniversary chat — so if you want to feel moved and connected, this one’s for you.
Hello Backstory fans! Meet Robert and Melissa Wyatt: a retired soldier and his partner who turned their ancestral church into a cozy home and a buzzing farm. Their story’s full of grit, funny moments, and old-school Appalachian know-how — from maple syrup and hickory cane corn to sauerkraut lessons and heirloom seeds.
They’ve weathered floods, raccoons, and crop failures, but they keep innovating, learning, and sharing what they grow. If you’re into food that actually tastes like something, or you believe freedom starts with being able to feed yourself, you’ll love this episode.
Hello Backstory Fans! Welcome to our first episode about Resilience. Find out how this idea came about, and what we are doing in the coming weeks. This episode is a cozy, honest chat with our guest Fernanda Frey about moving to the U.S. with two suitcases, learning English through volleyball, surviving surgeries and single motherhood, and ultimately building a life she’s proud of.
It’s the kind of story that makes you feel like you’re sitting across from a friend, sipping coffee, and remembering just how much people can endure and still thrive.
Hey there, backstory Fans! In this episode, we dive into a delightful mix of theater chatter and music magic. If you're all about stories that tickle your funny bone and touch your heart, you're in for a treat! You'll hear about the hit play "Senior Senior Prom"—a laugh-out-loud performance that had audiences roaring and crying "aww" at the sweetest moments.
And that's not all! We've got singer-songwriter Robbie Johnson on board, sharing the heartfelt inspiration behind his romantic tune, "You Pick the Flowers." Whether you're a sucker for love stories or just here for those good vibes, this episode has something special for you. So grab your earbuds and settle in—We are about to take you on a journey filled with laughter, love, and a whole lot more!
Hey Backstory Fans! Jump into this unique episode where we dive into the quirky world of AI-generated podcasting. For the first time ever, we handed over our beloved show to the machines, and the result is a blend of amusing chaos and technological magic. From sharing playful AI-generated backstories to discussing the potential future of AI in creative fields, we cover it all with a touch of humor and our usual candid style.
We even explore some novel podcast topic ideas suggested by our virtual co-hosts, and end with some thought-provoking and hilariously absurd questions that only AI could concoct. It's a wild ride of an episode that dances on the fine line between innovation and tradition. Join us for laughter, unexpected insights, and a bit of good-natured skepticism about the rise of our new AI overlords.
Hello Backstory Fans., Join us another intriguing episode of Backstory Sessions as we reflect on recent celebrity losses and the profound effects these personalities have on our lives. Also this week, we are treated to a heartfelt interview with Scotty Hastings, an artist whose life story reads like a movie script. Facing near-death in Afghanistan and overcoming physical and emotional scars, Scotty takes us through his transformative journey from military life to music. Discover how he turned his personal battles into therapy and healing through the power of song.
Scotty's poignant tales of perseverance, finding peace through archery, and discovering music as a therapeutic outlet is both moving and inspiring. He discusses the true impact of his music, not just on his own life but also in helping others find their path through struggles. Don’t miss this conversation that blends humor, heart, and hope with a glimpse of Scotty’s upcoming projects and life surprises!
Hello Backstory fans! welcome to another exciting episode. This time, we sit down with the wonderfully talented Sandy Knox, who is shaking things up with a brand-new genre she's coined 'boozical' - a blend of audiobooks and musicals!
Join us as we dive into Sandy's journey of writing, composing, and overcoming challenges to create this innovative and captivating form of storytelling. You'll hear about her inspirations, creative process, and how she navigated the hurdles of blending spoken word with original music.
Plus, discover how personal experiences and fascinating characters inspire her writing, and why she believes this fresh take on storytelling could be the next big thing! Get ready for a fun and enlightening conversation that celebrates creativity, perseverance, and innovation. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode!
Hello Backstory fans! Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the making of a documentary? In this episode, We are joined by filmmaker Alan Parker as we get the inside scoop on his latest film, "Borrowed Time," which delves into the last decade of John Lennon's life. Alan shares his personal connection to John's music and the unique journey that led him to create this documentary. It's fascinating to hear how Lennon became a source of strength during Alan's challenging times as a kid.
Alan also gives us a sneak peek into the emotional highs and lows of creating such an impactful film. From his surprising discoveries during interviews to the decision to offer both a standard and a director's cut, it's a wild ride you won't want to miss!
So if you've got a soft spot for The Beatles or just love a good backstory, you're in for a treat with this heartfelt discussion. Catch the full episode and discover what makes "Borrowed Time" a must-see for any music fan.
Hello Backstory fans! You won't believe the incredible journey Ajay Rochester has been on! From hosting The Biggest Loser in Australia to her discovery of the charming town of Corbin, KY, her path is filled with twists and turns. She's fallen for this place, and now she's here casting for an exciting new reality TV show that aims to revolutionize health in small-town America.
The upcoming show is all about community. Imagine a whole town coming together to boost their well-being, with 100 lucky folks getting a spotlight in this inspiring journey. Even if you're not one of the hundred, you can still join the wave of positive change sweeping through the area. Whether it’s losing weight, singing old dreams into reality, or embarking on a journey towards better health, this show promises heartwarming and genuine moments.
The best part? It's not just about losing pounds; it's about gaining stories, camaraderie, and a healthier community. AJ believes in the power of real stories—those raw, unscripted moments that resonate with everyone. So, if you or someone you know has a story worth sharing, this is your moment. Apply, get involved, and be part of Corbin's inspiring transformation!
Hello Backstory Fans!, and welcome to another exciting episode of Backstory Sessions! We are diving deep into the unique world of project management, A subject near and dear to Matt's heart. We chat about all sorts of fascinating topics, from unexpected tornadoes that might derail plans to navigating the complex jungle of project animals, such as the "flamingos" who are still on the fence about a project, or the snakes, who seek to derail a project for one reason or another...Find out which animal Matt defines himself as, and hear a bit more about his work.
Joining us is special guest and author Dawn Mahan, an expert in project management who's turned her experiences into an imaginative book, "Meet the Players in Project Land." You'll love how she uses animals to symbolize different roles in project management, making it easier to handle those tricky "snake" situations or lead with the confidence of a "tiger." Whatever your career, her insights are sure to resonate. You'll also learn a bit more about the process of managing projects.
Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just handling everyday life projects at home, you'll find Dawn's perspective refreshing and incredibly applicable. So if you're curious to see how everyday scenarios can mirror the chaotic yet rewarding world of projects, you're in for a treat. Grab your headphones, relax, and dive into the jungle with us!
Hey there, Backstory Family! Oh boy, do we have some fun updates for you! After a much-needed break, Cat and Matt are back for Season 16 of Backstory Sessions, and it's starting off with a bang! We've been keeping busy, and Matt's got a new toy—a snazzy two-seater convertible that he's thrilled about. Perfect timing for those summery road trips, right? Cat's not been idle either, with her Mystery Meets project thriving and wonderful shows lined up. She's bringing a special one to her hometown, Jellico, Tennessee soon, and we are thrilled for it.
Meanwhile, we’ve got some intriguing guests lined up for the podcast this season, starting with Tayla Lynn, the delightful granddaughter of Loretta Lynn. Can you imagine the stories she’s got to share?
Backstory Sessions is where you’ll want to be if you’re into everything from vintage car chats to country music royalty tales. Make sure you’re comfortable, grab a drink, and let's dive into these heartfelt conversations and lively updates!
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for this episode as we wrap up Season 15 in style, sharing some laughs, reflections, and exciting news about upcoming projects. We reminisce about the whirlwind of March and dive into everything from wild weather patterns to the joy of a birthday celebration.
If you're looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in as we chat with the talented singer songwriter Whey Jennings, who opens up about his transformative journey from addiction to sobriety. His heartfelt stories and music from his new album, titled "Jekyll and Hyde", are filled with hope and resilience, ensuring you'll walk away feeling uplifted and motivated.
So, grab a coffee, relax, and hit play on an episode that's all about growth, music, and the power of second chances. You'll get a sneak peek into future shows, some warm words for the listeners, and maybe even a few chuckles along the way. Happy listening!
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode, we dive into the excitement of Spring's arrival, sharing our thoughts on the season and a mysterious uptick in our podcast listens. We discuss everything from fun new mottos for Pennsylvania to the unpredictable nature of the podcasting world.
Then, join us for an exhilarating journey with our guest, Jennie Smythe, a creative force in the music industry whose latest memoir "Becoming Girlilla" is making waves. Discover how she transitioned from watching MTV to shaping her own path in music, and learn about the inspiring influences that guided her all the way to Music Row.
You'll hear personal stories that delve deep into the challenges of aligning one's passion with their profession, the role of supportive mentors, and the profound questions life throws at us. It's a heartfelt conversation about finding your true self and the power of connection. So cozy up and enjoy this enriching session with us!
Hello Backstory fans! Can you believe it's been 200 episodes already? We've shared so many stories, played some silly games, and interviewed some truly remarkable people. It's been quite a journey. 200 episodes means 200 amazing opportunities to learn something new and meet fascinating folks. Our episode this week is another great one!
In this fun episode we sit down and chat with the amazing Annie Korzen, Annie has a new book out which we talk about, and a whole lot more. From her early days in New York, her appearances on Seinfeld, to becoming a TikTok influencer, she shares lots of stories and thoughts on many varied topics. Annie's book, titled "The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpa from an Accidental Influencer" shares more insight into her really interesting story. We hope you enjoy our talk with Annie, and thank you for being part of our 200th episode with us!
Hello Backstory fans! Ever wondered what fuels a musician's journey from humble beginnings to sharing a stage with legends? Meet Jordan Allen from London, Kentucky, as he takes you on his heartfelt adventure through music, life, and his unforgettable experience on The Voice. From playing drums at six to kicking off a career that transcends the typical, Jordan shares his passion, the influences that shaped him, and the big break that ignited his path to fame.
With a love for classic rock and a nod to the like of CCR and The Beatles, Jordan lets us peek into the musical moments that molded his unique style. He opens up about his cherished guitars, the challenges and triumphs of songwriting, and the magical feeling when music "writes itself." We also dive into his soul-stirring performance on The Voice, the exciting dynamic with his family, and a humorous moment with his kids that shows us the person behind the performer. Tune in to feel inspired and connected.
Hello Backstory fans! We are back with another great episode where we first dive into some March musings. We kick off by discussing the age-old saying about March's weather, pondering if it's starting like a lion or a lamb. It's been quite a mixture here with some drastic temperature drops!
The focus of this episode is our chat with the incredibly talented Andy James and Piero Pata from the world of flamenco and jazz. Their exciting fusion of these genres in the "Happy People" album is something you won't want to miss. They've traveled from Las Vegas to Sevilla to bring this project to life. Join us as we explore their creative journey and upcoming tour plans.
We also mark a special milestone for Cat's theater group, as she just wrapped up her 11th show! It's amazing how far Tri County Mystery Meets has come in under two years, and they gearing up for the next play called "The Most Human," which promises to warm the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. Plus, find out about Cat's experiments with vegan meals—fishless fish is next on her list!
Hello Backstory Fans! Welcome to a delightful dive into the making of the inspiring documentary, 'Food for Thought.' Join me as we chat with filmmakers Giles Alderson and Dan Richardson, two longtime friends who took a leap of faith and dove deep into creating a film that challenges the way we think about food and animal welfare.
This episode is packed with insights on how a simple conversation turned into a compelling documentary. We explore the origins of the project's catchy title, the challenges faced during the filmmaking journey, and the surprising personal transformations the project sparked in its creators. Whether you're curious about plant-based living, documentary filmmaking, or just love a good backstory, there's something here for everyone.
So, sit back, relax, and get ready for some food for thought as we uncover the passion behind the project and hear how Giles and Dan hope to inspire a kinder, more conscious world, one viewer at a time.
Hello Backstory fans! In this cozy episode, we go on a delightful journey through love and melodies just in time for Valentine's weekend. Join the chatter as we explore how folks celebrated this year, with a mix of chocolates, dinners, and quirky breakup tales. Dive into some small-town weather chaos, and the legendary predictions from our furry friend, the groundhog.
But the heart of this episode? A charming sit-down with our friend, singer/songwriter Trey Calloway, discussing his latest heartfelt single, "Your Love is Safe With Me." Reflecting on love, marriage, and the artistic process behind crafting a genuine love song, Trey takes us back to the first time his wife heard the track. It's a true testament to love and music's ability to paint life’s most beautiful moments.
So, whether you're a hopeless romantic or just love a good tune, enjoy the laid-back conversation and discover what makes a love song timeless. Thanks for tuning in!
Hello Backstory Fans! Welcome to Season 15!..We are happy to be back with more great stories for you... Grab a warm drink and settle in for a cozy catch-up as we reminisce about the snow-filled days and the excitement (or dread!) of Groundhog Day predictions. Can Barbourville Baxter the groundhog really determine Cat's weather fate? Tune in to find out!
We also have Mike Smith..aka Bubbles from the Trailer Park Boys! Bubbles is here to chat with Cat all about Trailer Park Boys new movie, titled "On the Shoulders of Kitties"...Cat has been a longtime fan and has been so excited for this episode. We hope you enjoy it as much as she did recording it for you.
We're sharing a few updates too, from new show preparations to a personal office makeover infused with a touch of feng shui. If you're into transformations, you'll love the transition as we declutter and welcome positive vibes into our space for the new year.
And hold on to your hats, because there's a dash of wedding bliss mixed in with reflections on life's milestones. We're not just talking resolutions here, but about embracing change and cherishing those unforgettable family moments. Come along for this heartfelt journey as we embrace the new year with hope and humor!
Hello Backstory fans! 🎄 In this episode, we dive headfirst into the festive madness of Christmas with us. We chat about everything from decorating mishaps and the excitement (and annoyances) of holiday shopping, to the unexpected joys of gifting. 😄
Join us as we wind down Season 14, and reminisce about childhood Christmas memories, spill the beans on some of our holiday traditions, and discuss the somewhat unpredictable weather that can wreak havoc on the season. 🌨️ This laid-back conversation will definitely make you feel like you’re catching up with old friends. (See Cat? Even AI says we are old!..haha)
So, grab some hot chocolate, relax, and tune in for a chaotic holiday special that captures the spirit of the season – quirks and all! 🎅✨ Happy Holidays to all!
Hello Backstory Fans! We are so excited to bring you this special episode! Grab a cozy spot and join us for an intimate chat with the legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean. Whether you grew up belting out "American Pie" (and maybe still do on occasion), or have vivid memories connected to his music, this one's a real treat!
With nostalgia and inspiration in the air, we unravel the stories behind legendary tracks like "Vincent" and "American Pie among others." We dive into Don's personal journey, from his early days overcoming challenges with asthma to becoming a name synonymous with music history. Ever wondered what inspired "Starry, Starry Night" or how "American Pie" came to be? Don shares it all with us. Throughout our talk, we explore the intersections of music, memories, and the core ideas that fuel creativity. Along the way, you'll also hear about his current and future projects. We can't thank Don enough for his time, and great stories.
We also give an a few updates with some behind-the-scenes moments from Cat's most recent mobile theater production and her whirlwind of weekend performances this weekend.
Hello Backstory fans! Join us as we chat in this delightful episode. As the holidays approach, we share some hilarious and relatable tales about last-minute Christmas shopping dilemmas. Whether it's finding the perfect gift or dealing with the infamous return day, there's a lot to laugh about!
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Dive deeper as we chat with the multi-talented Grayson Russell. We all remember him from 'Talladega Nights,' but did you know he’s also making waves in the music industry? Grayson opens up about his songwriting journey, the inspiration behind his soulful tunes, and what it’s like balancing his dual careers in acting and music. Also, find out the significance of the title of his recent song: "Beneath the Bow".
Grab your hot cocoa, get comfy, and tune in for an episode full of laughs, heartfelt stories, and a unique glimpse into Grayson's life beyond the big screen. You won’t want to miss it!
Hello Backstory fans! Ready to dive into some holiday excitement and heartfelt reflections? This episode welcomes the holiday season with open arms, as we chat about everything from Thanksgiving leftovers and turkey soup creations to the melodious flood of Christmas carols filling the airwaves.
As we embark on festive preparations, there's a warm camaraderie in sharing the excitement of Christmas shopping, planning company parties, and even setting the stage for delightful Christmas plays. But herein lies a poignant tale as Will Wesley returns, sharing the touching story behind his latest song "12 O'clock in Texas". It's a heartfelt tribute to his late brother, exploring the complex emotions of loss, hope, and the ongoing struggle with addiction.
Join us as we navigate the joys and challenges of the holiday season, finding warmth in traditions and solace in music. Whether it’s the beauty of spontaneous weather wonders or the impact of deeply personal lyrics, this episode weaves together the essence of the season, urging us all to embrace the holidays with open hearts and hopeful spirits. Let’s talk about embracing the Christmas spirit, making meaningful connections, and perhaps finding a bit of peace in the process. 🌟
Hello Backstory friends! Welcome to our special Black Friday episode, where we're diving into the quirkiest and coolest gift ideas to spark up your holiday season shopping spree. Join us as we share some wild picks that range from practical to downright whimsical.
Ever thought about gifting a Gravitron ride or a 7-person tricycle? How about an anti-kidnapping watch or a flashlight that beams for five miles? We’ve dug deep to find gifts that will either make your loved ones laugh or genuinely blow their minds!
Plus, we talk about the joy of rediscovering nostalgic favorites like Viewmasters, and quirky surprises like ice cream pizzas from Baskin-Robbins. Whether you're looking for a sentimental trip down memory lane or an adventurous new gadget, we've got you covered.
Grab a cup of cocoa and get ready for a cozy chat filled with laughter and outrageous holiday gift ideas! 🎁🌲
Hello Backstory Fans! In this wide ranging episode, we dive into some nostalgic concert experiences, sharing the ups and downs of seeing beloved bands like REO Speedwagon and Loverboy. We chat about the challenges of aging gracefully, including the perks (and quirks) of senior discounts and concert adventures that don't always go as planned. Ever wondered how your favorite bands sound decades later? Cat's got some stories to tell!
But that's not all! This episode features an engaging interview with actor Adam Thompson, who talks about his journey into acting, the importance of work ethic, and his latest film project titled "Things Will Be Different", which is being released 11/18/24. Adam shares his thoughts on the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and offers insightful advice for aspiring actors.
We also bring you behind the scenes of our busy creative lives, from theater projects to some upcoming holiday festivities. You'll hear about the Roots of Bluegrass New Play Contest, Cat's latest play endeavors, and our much-anticipated Black Friday episode, where we dish out unique gift ideas for the holiday season. We also talk briefly about an upcoming very special episode featuring an icon in the music industry you won't want to miss!
So grab a comfy seat, maybe a cup of tea, and join us for a heartwarming and entertaining episode filled with laughter, nostalgia, and creative inspiration.
Hey Backstory fans! 🎉 Join us for a delightful episode where we dive into the joys and musings of celebrating a milestone birthday. Cat shares her thoughts on turning the big 6-0, complete with surprise brunches, heartfelt moments, and a little introspection.
Ever feel like certain birthdays hit differently? Cat opens up about leaving the 50s behind and embracing the wisdom that comes with a new decade. We chat about the unexpected joys of a surprise birthday brunch, complete with cake, balloons, and a sweet strawberry delight that was too good to resist!
We also explore the importance of cherishing those who celebrate us, and how these memories can lift us up during those not-so-celebratory times. Plus, a little laughter over unexpected birthday mishaps and musings on snow shovels, bubble tea, and the quirks of getting older.
Join us for a fun chat that feels just like catching up with an old friend. And remember, age is just a number, but the memories we make are timeless. See you there!
Hey there Backstory Fans! Join us for another exciting episode as we dive into the world of music with our special guest, singer-songwriter Robby Johnson. Buckle up as Robby shares his incredible leap from life as a sales rep to taking the stage with legends like Keith Urban!
In this episode, you'll hear about Robby's unique journey, starting with a Christmas gift that changed his life forever. Discover how his grandparents played a pivotal role in his musical inspiration, and how a chance encounter with Nashville's music scene catapulted him into the spotlight.
Robby also shares the story behind his heartwarming song "More Than You Think," inspired by the love and lessons from his grandparents. You'll get an insider's look at his creative process and how he lets the music guide him to unexpected places.
So, grab your headphones and get ready for a fun and intimate chat that explores the magic of music, the power of social media, and the importance of staying true to your dreams. We can't wait for you to listen and feel inspired by Robby's backstory!
Hey there, fellow Backstory thrill-seekers! 🎃 In this spine-chilling episode, we are back with our annual eerie Halloween special! This time, we are diving into the mysterious and ghostly tales of the Ohio State Reformatory, a place with a history as rich as it is haunting.
Join us as we chat with Greg Feketek , the lead paranormal investigator at the reformatory, who shares some of the most jaw-dropping experiences he's encountered over the years. From shadowy figures, and mysterious growls, to the infamous Shawshank Redemption filming location, the Ohio State Reformatory has no shortage of spooky stories.
Whether you're a believer in the supernatural or a skeptical friend who just loves a good ghost story, this episode is sure to captivate and maybe even send a chill down your spine. So grab your flashlight and get ready for an adventure into the unknown. Happy (almost) Halloween! 👻
Hello Backstory fans!, Welcome to another great episode! We are back, diving into the whirlwind world of theater and beyond. This week, Cat shares her adrenaline-packed weekend with four performances of "Hotel California" across three cities. It was a crazy ride, complete with unexpected drama—Cat gets "shot" in a theater! Don't worry, she's fine, and she even has a keepsake to prove it.
We also sit down with Anson Williams, from "Happy Days," fame and his talented wife, Sharon. They chat about their upcoming play, "Crazy Mama," a heartfelt story rooted in Sharon's own life experiences. Anson shares his serendipitous journey to stardom, while Sharon opens up about turning her memoir into a stage play with Anson's support.
This episode is packed with insights into the creative process, personal revelations, and a whole lot of heart. Tune in to hear how love and storytelling come together in their lives and projects. It's an inspiring chat about following your instincts and embracing the magic of collaboration.
Hello Backstory Fans! We are thrilled to bring you a unique twist in this episode. We've had some incredible guests from Little House on the Prairie, but today, we're diving into the male perspective for the first time with none other than Dean Butler, who played the beloved Almanzo Wilder.
Join us as we reminisce about the magic of young love on screen, the challenges of portraying such a pivotal character, and the fascinating behind-the-scenes stories that shaped this iconic show. Dean shares his journey from a shy kid to a household name, giving us a glimpse into how Little House profoundly impacted his life.
Plus, we chat about the end of an era as Dean reflects on the emotional finale of the series and his thoughts on surviving the harsh realities of pioneer life. And for all you theater lovers, get an insider look at our upcoming play, "Hotel California," as we prepare for its exciting debut in a historic venue.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this heartfelt conversation with Dean Butler. It's a cozy trip down memory lane you won't want to miss!
Hi Backstory Fans! Welcome to this exciting episode of Backstory Sessions! Today, we are thrilled to chat with our amazing guest, Sarah Alexandra Marks, a talented actress hailing from across the pond. You know, it's always refreshing to mix things up, and after a season full of great musicians, diving into the world of acting with Sarah is just what we needed!
Sarah shares her fascinating journey from a shy dancer to a passionate actress, landing her first big break in the British film "Pulp." We dive deep into her latest project, "Escape," where she plays a nurse caught in a harrowing tale of survival and human trafficking. It's a gripping plot that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat!
We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like working with director Howard J. Ford and the incredible cast, plus some insider tips on how Sarah prepares for her roles. And, of course, we couldn’t resist asking about her favorite scenes and what it’s like choreographing intense fight scenes, thanks to her dance background!
Sarah’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From staying calm in challenging roles to balancing her passion for painting landscapes, she gives us an intimate glimpse into her life and career. Whether you're an aspiring actor or just love a good backstory, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. So, get comfy, and join us for a delightful chat with Sarah!
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Josie Sal, the 12-year-old singer/songwriter who's making waves in the music world. From her first daring performance to writing her own songs, this young artist's journey is nothing short of amazing.
Join us as we chat about her passion for music, the importance of family support, and her dreams of making it big. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at her life in Nashville and the influences that shape her sound. Whether you're a music lover or just need a dose of motivation, this episode is sure to leave you inspired!
Don't miss out on this heartwarming and motivational story. Tune in now and let’s get to know this rising star together!
Hello Backstory fans! Welcome to another exciting episode. Today, we are thrilled because we have not just one, but two amazing guests joining us!
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of how an Australian born singer-songwriter from California, and a legendary member of the Oak Ridge Boys from Alabama came together to create such a heartfelt song. We'll be chatting with William Lee Golden and Danni Stefanetti, exploring their unique musical backgrounds and the touching inspiration behind their new duet, "I've Got My Heart On You."
Get ready to hear about William's incredible journey from gospel to country music and Danni's leap from Australia to the U.S., and how their paths crossed to produce an amazing collaboration. They share a love for making music, and a connection that spans the country. Find out how William's son, Solomon, fits into all of this. Don't miss it!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode, we chat with the incredibly talented Don Gatlin. From his early days growing up in Pennsylvania to sharing stages with country music legends, Don's journey is nothing short of amazing
Listen in as Don shares his experiences with Kenny Rogers, his thoughts on having a plan B, and the fun 'speed round' segment in his shows. Plus, hear about his latest projects and how he keeps the legacy of country music alive.
Whether you're a die-hard Kenny Rogers fan or just love a good backstory, this episode is a must-listen!
We also give a few updates on some podcast statistics, recent events, and the play, "Hotel California".
Hello Backstory fans! Welcome to another exciting episode! We are sitting down with Kentucky native and country music sensation, JD Shelburne. Can you believe he went from playing sports and tinkering with cars to rocking out on stage with his guitar? It's an inspiring ride, and we can't wait for you to hear it.
JD takes us back to his humble beginnings in Taylorsville, Kentucky, sharing how a chance encounter with a guitar after his grandmother's passing set him on a path to musical stardom. You'll love hearing about his journey from small-town gigs to opening for big names and even hitting the top of the iTunes charts!
We also dive into the making of his latest hit, "Cars and Trucks," a song that's more than meets the eye. Also, get the scoop on his upcoming projects and the personal stories that fuel his music. Trust us, this episode is packed with heartwarming moments and lots of laughs.
Join us for a chat that’s as down-to-earth as it is inspiring. We promise you’ll feel like you’re catching up with old friends!
Hello Backstory fans!, Welcome to another interesting episode of Backstory Sessions! As we wrap up summer and head into fall, we’ve got a really exciting episode for you. We’re diving deep into the world of personal growth and overcoming obstacles with our amazing guest, Dr. Michelle Maidenberg. She's here to talk about her latest book, Ace Your Life, and share some incredible insights on how to get unstuck and truly thrive.
We all face challenges in life, whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal goals. Dr. Maidenberg’s method, based on acceptance, compassion, and empowerment, offers practical strategies to help you navigate through these obstacles. You don’t want to miss her advice on how to sustain long-term change and live your best life.
Also, we chat about some fascinating topics like the impact of the pandemic on our mental health and the importance of aligning our actions with our values. And for those of you dealing with grief or chronic illness, Dr. Maidenberg has some truly touching stories and resources that will resonate with you deeply.
So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and join us for a heartwarming and enlightening conversation. Let's get started!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode, we are back with a bang as we dive into Season 13, Episode 3. Cat gives us an update on her latest theatrical masterpiece, "The Art of Murder," which turned out to be a roaring success! Imagine a 1930s-themed gala with a real vintage Ford, a jazz ensemble, and an audience dressed to the nines. Talk about immersive theater!
The real star of the show is our guest, singer/songwriter Billie Jo Jones. She's here to share her musical journey, from her early days performing in her grandparents' living room to opening for legends like Ray Price. Billie Jo talks about her new album, her songwriting process, and even spills the beans on the inspiration behind her hit single, "Some Girls Don't Cry." Spoiler alert: It's a girl-power anthem that'll have you singing at the top of your lungs!
Join us as Billie Jo opens up about her life, her kids, touring, and her dreams of performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Plus, you'll get a kick out of her pre-show ritual (hint: it involves a secret shot!). So, grab your headphones and tune in for an episode that's as heartfelt as it is entertaining.
Hello Backstory Fans 🎸 In this episode, we are joined by our special co-host, Reed Elliotte, and the incredibly talented Trey Calloway. Trey takes us on a nostalgic journey with his latest single, "I Miss Country Music," and shares fascinating stories from his musical journey, including his early inspirations and songwriting process.
We dive deep into the essence of traditional country music, the charm of co-writing, and some heartwarming memories of Trey's family and influences. Plus, Reed gets the chance to ask Trey a burning question about what has driven his success since childhood. You won't want to miss this heartfelt and engaging conversation!
Oh, and stay tuned for some fun insights into pre-show rituals and Trey's future plans. Tune in and let's get back to the roots of country music together! 🎶
Hey friends, welcome to this episode of Backstory Sessions! We are back, kicking off Season 13 with a phenomenal guest - the unforgettable Geri Jewell. Remember her as Blair's cousin on the iconic show "Facts of Life"? Well, she's here to share her incredible journey.
From her early diagnosis with Cerebral Palsy to making waves in Hollywood, Geri has lived a life full of inspiring moments and hilarious anecdotes. You'll hear about her groundbreaking role in "Facts of Life," her unexpected encounter with David Milch that landed her a part in "Deadwood," and her latest ventures including a children's book and some exciting new projects.
We also dive into Geri's early love for comedy, her admiration for Carol Burnett, and how she turned her challenges into comedic gold. Don't miss this heartwarming and entertaining episode that reminds us all to laugh, dream big, and never give up!
Hello Backstory fans!
Welcome back It's a special episode as we wrap up Season 12! Can you believe it? We reminisce about the journey so far, filled with nostalgic moments and milestones, including almost 175 episodes and reaching nearly 65,000 listeners as we reflect on this amazing adventure.
This week, we're thrilled to have a returning guest, the talented songwriter Kent Blazy. He's back with a brand-new project that's super close to his heart. Kent's latest album, "My Life So Far," is a collection of deeply personal songs inspired by significant people and moments in his life. From lost loves to lifelong friends, and even a rescued pup, We can't wait to share this inspiring conversation with you!
Thank you for listening, and see you next season on August 11th!
Cheers,
Cat and Matt
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode of Backstory Sessions, we sit down with the incredibly talented Kirstie Manna, a songwriter, singer, and creativity coach who has a knack for inspiring others. Kirstie shares her journey in the music industry, from writing the hit song "Austin" for Blake Shelton to teaching online creativity classes and hosting songwriting camps.
We dive into the importance of staying inspired, setting goals, and the business side of the music industry. Kirstie also gives us a sneak peek into her online course "Spark Your Creativity" and offers invaluable advice on how to stay motivated and carve out time for your creative passions.
Whether you're an aspiring songwriter or just looking for a little creative boost, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Get comfy, and let's get inspired together!
Hello Backstory Fans! We have something special for you on this episode of Backstory Sessions! We are catching up with the incredible H. Jack Williams, and wow, what a journey he's been on!
Jack's been keeping busy since we last spoke, diving into the world of acting with a role in Kevin Costner's epic new movie, Horizon. He shares the thrilling experience of stepping onto the big screen and how it felt to see himself in a Hollywood film. Spoiler alert!: it's as nerve-wracking as it is exciting!
But that's not all. Jack's also been working on a deeply personal spoken word album, drawing from his own life experiences. He even got Kevin Costner to collaborate on one of the tracks, to be released soon.
We also get into some fun behind-the-scenes stories from the movie set, debunking a few rumors and sharing some laughs. And, of course, Jack's looking ahead to more acting roles and live performances. The man's a powerhouse of creativity and resilience.
So, grab your headphones and join us for this inspiring chat. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, triumphs, and some good ol' Hollywood magic. You won't want to miss it!
Hey everyone! Welcome to another exciting episode of Backstory Sessions! This month has been a whirlwind, and we can't believe it's already nearing its end. Oh, and a big shoutout to Matt for celebrating his birthday this month—Happy Birthday, Matt!
We dive into some fascinating stories today, including the one-year anniversary of Tri-County Mystery Meets. It's been a year filled with challenges, learning, and a lot of rewarding experiences. at the party, we had some fun birthday celebrations, complete with 80s costumes and a few laughs about makeup mishaps!
But the highlight of this episode is our incredible guest, John Ford Coley! If you're a fan of classic hits and intriguing backstories, you won't want to miss this. John takes us on a journey through his musical career, from his early days with England Dan to unforgettable moments touring with legends like Elton John and Carole King. We even get to hear some behind-the-scenes stories about the making of iconic songs like "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight."
So grab your headphones and get ready for an episode packed with memories, music, and a whole lot of fun. Let's get started!
Hey friends! Welcome to this special Father's Day edition of Backstory Sessions. Today, we are joined by some incredible young talents: Alexys Acob, Reed Elliotte, and Dalton Dailey.🎉
We kick things off by chatting about the unique experiences and insights these young actors bring to their roles in "Korporate Kindergarten." From Dalton's inspiring journey into acting to Reed's amazing story of meeting three U.S. Presidents, and Alexys’s musical and acting talents, this episode is packed with fun and heartwarming moments.
Also, we get into the nitty-gritty of what it's like for these kids to play adult roles, their dreams for the future, and their touching tributes to their dads on this special day. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one!
So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of young talent and heartfelt Father's Day memories. 💖
Hey there! Welcome to another episode of Backstory Sessions. Today, we have the pleasure of catching up with the ever-talented Will Wesley, who’s back for his second visit.
Will’s been busy since we last chatted. He’s gone from spreading Christmas cheer with his version of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to releasing his latest single, "Honky Tonk USA." We dive into the backstory of this country anthem, his inspirations, and the state of classic country music today.
But that’s not all. Will shares some heartwarming stories about his family’s involvement in his music videos, his nomination for three Josie Awards, and his upcoming European tour. We even get a sneak peek into his new, deeply personal project, "12 O'Clock in Texas," which touches on the emotional journey after the loss of his brother to addiction.
So, grab your headphones, settle in, and join us for a great conversation with Will Wesley. You won't want to miss this one!
Hey Backstory fans! In this episode, we dive into a truly inspiring story that will tug at your heartstrings. We sit down with the talented singer-songwriter Tiffany Woys, who shares her incredible journey from a dream beach wedding swept away by a hurricane to finding solace and strength in her music. We start with Tiffany's path into music and songwriting. Later, she opens up about her whirlwind romance, the heartbreak of a called-off engagement, and how she turned her pain into powerful songs that resonate with so many. This episode is packed with raw emotions, resilience, and the magic of music. You won't want to miss it! She offers great insight into how she dealt with the events that transpired with grace, and was able to move forward. Also, get a sneak peek into Tiffany's latest projects and her thoughts on the evolving music industry. Tune in and be inspired by this heartfelt conversation!
Welcome to another amazing episode of Backstory Sessions! Join us as we continue Season 12 with an exciting conversation featuring the newest inductee into the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary T. Graham Brown.
Find out about T's remarkable journey, from his early days performing in college bars to his recent induction into the Opry. He shares stories from his illustrious career, including his start singing songwriter demos after moving to Nashville, and the emotional experience of being invited to join the Opry by fellow member Vince Gill. The episode also touches on his more unique ventures, such as singing advertising jingles and hosting a long running show on Sirius XM radio. Additionally, we also chat about T.'s upcoming album, "From Memphis to Muscle Shoals," featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd, and Sammy Hagar. T. offers insights into the inspiration behind the album and the exciting duets it includes. Also, find out about more upcoming projects from this amazing artist.
Join us for the second episode of Backstory Sessions' 12th season where we discuss the launch of the new website, BackstorySessions.com as well as future plans for it. Listen to some interesting tales about our recent animal encounters too!
Our awesome guest this week, singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson, shares the story of her journey from growing up in a small town and moving to Nashville to follow her dreams. Find out what made her put aside living in Nashville full time, and how she manages her writing, recording, and busy touring schedule. From the gift of her first guitar, the recent release of her latest single, "Somebody's Gotta Do It", Paige has an inspiring story you won't want to miss. Find out what her and Cat have in common in the business world, and what led to Paige starting that venture. She also shares her thoughts on co-writing and working with and opening for lots of mainstream artists.
Welcome to the start of Season 12 of Backstory Sessions! We are happy to be back and bring you our awesome fans, more great interviews this season!
We start the episode with a few updates on things we talked about in recent episodes: The Pitch, the Backstory Sessions website, and talk about the Northern Lights, along with a few other random items. Our guest this week is actress Kami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton on the much-loved series, Kami talks about how she landed the role at such a young age and navigating being an actor while trying to have a semi normal life during those early years. We chat about what she has been doing since, and her feelings about the series after so many years. Her many years spent in education are a sharp contrast to acting, but she still finds time to attend fan events and continue her connection with other actors from the series, as well as fans of the show. It's an interesting conversation that shows acting may have a strong alure for many but for some, there may be other passions that pull them in other directions. She also shares a funny story about getting recognized by some fans as an adult during a date with her then boyfriend/ now husband. We hope you enjoy our chat with Kami as much as we did.
Hello Backstory fans! Welcome to the Season 11 finale. Join us as we share our reflections and excitement as we close out the season and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the classic TV series, Little House on the Prairie. What sets this episode apart is none other than the special guest, Karen Grassle, popularly known as Ma Ingalls. We look deep into her journey in the industry and her amazing contributions to the prairie's endless tales, among her other pursuits. The discussion touches on the series' unforgettable final episode – a classic that still sparks curiosity decades later, and also peels back the layers of Karen's path – from her love for performing to her interest in writing and storytelling. As we dig into her amazing career, Karen shares her humble persona, creative drive, and the process of writing her memoir. Her resilience, curiosity, and love of lifelong learning give you a profound insight into her life in and beyond the screen.
This episode also serves as a big thank you to our dedicated listeners who have supported us in creating a platform showcasing the stories behind memorable TV series, actors and actresses, amazing musicians, authors, with the occasional random crazy episode by us, and is a perfect endcap to a great Season 11.
Hello Backstory fans! join us for a fun chat where we reminisce about our own hitchhiking tales and have a discussion on life’s unexpected risks.
The episode features our first-ever four-time guest, author Jeff Rasley, a seasoned storyteller whose life mirrors his narratives, sharing captivating details about his hitchhiking experiences.
Experience a thrilling ride through America in winter of 1972 with Jeff in his latest narrative, "Adventure Unleashed: A Hitchhiker’s Big Journey". From encounters with diverse spectrum of characters to learning invaluable life lessons, this episode provides a look into the American hitchhiking culture of the 70s.
Jeff also relives his remarkable journey meeting fascinating characters across America. From the 'Jesus in a Ferrari’ to the fanciful crime gang inviting him to join their ranks, this episode paves the path to intriguing storytelling leading to stirring self-introspection and spiritual growth.
Another highlight of this Backstory Sessions includes a riveting detour into the counterculture scene. Jeff talks about his unexpected stops at secretive cult compounds, his adventures at Mardi Gras, and how these diverse cultural exposures have shaped his life. Tune in to take part in this journey, which promises a great mix of humor, nostalgia, and transformative life events.
Hello Backstory fans! In this special episode we first jump into some of the traditions and trivia regarding Easter. From egg hunts and sugar-loaded candies to family meals, we reflect on diverse Easter traditions. Matt talks about Easter facts, exploring the origin of the Easter Bunny and the production of the iconic candy, Peeps. Tune in for this fun Easter special garnished with laughter, nostalgia, and a dash of heated debates.
We also welcome the return of Rick Cosnett to the podcast, who starred as Eddie in 'The Flash,' where he discusses the evolution of his character, challenges faced on the set, and memorable experiences during the series run. Rick talks about Eddie's transformation from a supervillain to a superhero, the emotional ending of the series, and how these reflected his own personal growth. We also discuss navigating the unpredictable landscape of industry interviews and performing dangerous stunts. Explore Rick's journey across contrasting roles, varying projects, surreal surroundings, and his unwavering love for acting that led him from Australia to the US.
We uncover Rick's dream of portraying many diverse characters, his passion for the theater, and his ambitious web series project 'The Vacluse Daily.’ Experience his star-struck moments, expectations for future projects, and excitement for upcoming seasons of 'Palm Royale' and "911". The episode is filled with laughter, vivid storytelling, and reflections.
Hello Backstory fans! In this entertaining episode of Backstory Sessions, we have a discussion about Cat's social media adventures, the exciting venue and timing updates of her murder mystery event 'Murder on the Mountain' and an update on the upcoming pitch event for the unique mobile dinner theatre, 'Mystery Meets'. We also reveal some details about our upcoming Easter episode, which includes a special guest Rick Cosnett.
We also have a discussion about the interesting phenomenon of the upcoming solar eclipse, with the odd decision of school closures during the event, eclipse viewing practices, and whether eclipse glasses have an expiration date.
As the episode winds down, we share some exciting future plans, including launching the new Backstory Sessions website, (finally) with an online store, new merch coming, and expanding our social media presence. We also share a sneak peek into Cat's upcoming drama play "Boxes", an exploration of Matt's SubStack writings plans, as well as the idea for a new podcast.
We celebrate our milestone of five years working on Backstory Sessions, and for this achievement, we express our gratitude for the support of you, our loyal listeners.
Welcome to another engaging episode of Backstory Sessions, where we dive into the musical journey of Carrie Martinelli, the keyboard player, singer, and one of the songwriters of the band, Shell Games. Starting with the story behind the band name, Carrie shares the evolution of her music, from childhood piano lessons to performance experiences on stage, and a visit to a psychic.
Carrie shares personal tales that formed the backdrop of her musical evolution. From a setback that tested her self-confidence to a serendipitous reunion with piano that rekindled her passion for playing and creatin.The discussion goes beyond music, revealing her love for science, a story of unrequited love, and artistic cynicism. Carrie also shares her career transition from a science background to pursuing a passion for music. She discusses her experiences as part of a predominantly female band, tackling stereotypes in a male-dominated industry, and reveals the influence of social media on her journey.
Learn about the band's upcoming album, their creative process influenced by varied musical genres, and hear about lessons learned over years of artistic endeavor. The conversation offers encouragement with wit, and exemplifies the joy and challenges of embracing one's true passion.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for yet another fun episode, where we are catching up with the amazing singer-songwriter Mackenzie Phipps. Talking about her latest song, written as a tribute to truck drivers, "18 Wheels", Mackenzie reveals the story behind writing it,
We touch upon a myriad of topics which include new sound equipment, our surge in listenership from Ghana and Nigeria, and some random items from the Backstory Facebook group. Ranging from their funnily divergent preferences on food to agreeing that all chocolate is great, it's a fun chat filled with laughter, and memories. We also talk a bit about a new project, "Heart-Shaped Box", and talk about the significance of St. Patrick's Day.
Mackenzie walks us through her journey, and reveals what she's been up to since last we chatted. A move, new music, and new opportunities are all discussed, as well as her small-town roots give listeners a view into her life these days.. She also shares a funny story of a chance encounter with one of her idols.
Buckle up and join us for a heartening deep dive into Mackenzie's world. Follow her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to see her ascent as a rising star in the country music scene.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode, join us as we commemorate 50th anniversary of the iconic sitcom, "Happy Days." Sharing our personal experiences, we pay tribute to the enduring impact the show has had and reminisce about some moments we remember about the show. Alongside recognizing the milestone of surpassing 50,000 downloads for Backstory Sessions, we have a great chat with Don Most, known for his portrayal of the memorable character Ralph Malph.
Discover the interesting tale behind the legendary "Happy Days" from one of the individuals who brought the show to life. The episode traverses initial meetings, friendships fostered, and what went into creating a show that holds a special place in American television history: From the actors' backgrounds, their iconic roles, the improvisations that became the show's essence, and the love for music that played an integral part in their lives.
This episode offers a rare look into Donny Most's life beyond the small screen, tracing a his journey from growing up in Brooklyn to a distinguished career in arts. Don shares his surprise and delight at reactions from fans discovering his hidden talent in singing. Balancing his love for arts against a potential career in engineering, he candidly discusses his career path. From his increasing acting opportunities to his strides in music and aspirations to explore songwriting, you'll enjoy this fun episode!
Hello Backstory Fans! Jump into the world of performing arts with today's incredible guest, Broadway star Tamra Hayden. Experience a mix of humor, inspiration and passion as Tamra reflects on her evolutionary journey from holding her first guitar to gracing the acting stage.
In this episode, you'll get a rare glimpse into the compelling world of musical theater, and be introduced to Tamra’s unique approach of lacing every project with a pinch of hilarity. Expect heartwarming stories, pursuing ambitions and insights into future projects all wrapped up in laughter and enlightenment.
Discover a captivating conversation rooted in passion and talent. From early interests in music to her acting roles, journey alongside Tamra as she explores her connection to music and opens up about her personal journey with unexpected twists and turns.
Engage with Tamra's tales of collaboration, her journey into acting, and refreshingly honest glimpses into her life. Follow her as she shares her experiences of auditions, personal tragedy, and resilience in the face of adversity. Walk with her as she discusses finding a balance between solitary creativity and fruitful collaborations.
This love-filled narrative is not just a captivating episode; it's an emotional journey bearing testament to Tamra's drive and dedication. Pull up a seat and dive into this beautiful story of the old and the new, the innate and the learned, as you listen to her unique backstory.
Hello Backstory fans! Join us for an exciting episode, as we delve into the love story of country music artists, Bobby Tomberlin and Tess Frizzell, who discuss their respective musical journeys filled with shared experiences, challenges, triumphs, and how their paths crossed in Nashville. Amid their professional struggles, they highlight the importance of mutual respect, authenticity, and the transformative power of shared experiences in deepening their bond.
The story unfolds further, taking us on an intimate journey through their career milestones, hilarious mix-ups and dating experiences, illuminating how their shared love for music intertwined with their romantic ties. Through candid discussions of their life together, career achievements, and shared memories, you'll glimpse how their love transcends the chaos of the entertainment industry, strengthening through trials and tribulations, and provides a refreshing blend of humor, love, and realism.
Also, we talk about Cat's experience with the "Dear Juliet" club in Verona, Italy, and Victorian-era practices like pinning bay leaves to your pillow to attract love. An interesting backstory of Necco candy hearts, and the probably best forgotten tradition of "Vinegar Valentines" are also discussed. We hope you enjoy this sweet and fun episode!
Hello Backstory fans! In this sweet episode, we explore the remarkable love journey of John and Robin Berry. From a chance meeting in a small Georgia club to a strong and enduring marriage of almost 36 years, this episode unveils their extraordinary love story.
Recalling their earlier years,, John, a quiet country singer, and Robin, a vibrant health and education student, share their unique path of defying conventional norms, making their relationship work amid the challenges of long-distance dating, the pressures of an aspiring music career, and the ups and downs of being first-time parents on tour.
Though faced with hardships, the couple’s deep bond, shared values, and their faith in each other held them together. This episode gives listeners insight into their lives, detailing how they manage to maintain a strong family, home, faith, and a mutual love for music while keeping their personal lives and music careers in balance.
Dive into this heartwarming tale of an enduring relationship, filled with laughter, struggles, triumphs, romance, and life lessons. This episode is the celebration of love in its purest form through the eyes of John and Robin Berry.
Hello Backstory fans! Relive the unforgettable love stories of Backstory Sessions in this engaging Valentine's Month episode. The episode takes a deep dive into the complex narrative of love, offering some Valentine's Day trivia and an interesting backstory of the oldest known Valentine
The episode continues with a captivating journey into a charming love story that evolves from friendship into a significant romantic relationship. Our friend Masyn, in her 3rd podcast with us, recounts her tale with vivid memories that discuss the transformation of her relationship with Nathaniel, challenging predefined romantic norms and sharing a love story that is as complex as it is beautiful.
Through a series of intimate anecdotes, Masyn and Nathaniel explore their whirlwind romance, from casual church meetings to a profound connection, leading up to a magical proposal set amidst the festive backdrop of Christmas trees. Each moment of their journey is sketched in detail, making their story a testament to love's instinctive knowledge. They dive further into their love story discussing their grand wedding, their strategies for effective communication, and the little quirks that uniquely define their relationship. The couple's strong foundation of love and faith mixed with an understanding of each other's perfections and imperfections, makes this episode an incredible exploration of companionship, future plans, aspirations, and the wonderful balance in their relationship. This episode is a heartwarming insight into the beauty and complexities of love and evolving relationships.
Hello Backstory Fans! We are back with the start of Season 11! In this episode, we welcome back the iconic drummer and musician, Artimus Pyle, in a long discussion about his journey, filled with unexpected turns and intriguing stories. From surviving plane crashes and recording his exciting new project, "Anthems", to be released on Feb 2nd, to the pain of losing his friend and former bandmate Gary Rossington last year, Artimus reveals it all. Explore the incredible journey of this iconic artist, learn about some of the intricacies of the music world, and get an inside look into the process of recording the album ‘Anthems’ to honor the Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy.
It is an emotional rollercoaster ride through Artimus's experiences - from interactions with renowned artists like Dolly Parton, Sammy Hagar, and Ronnie Dunn to name a few, to dealing with the sometimes harsh realities of life on the road with the Artimus Pyle Band, and grappling with personal and professional trials. Find out how and why he rerecorded some of the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd hits to appeal to long time fans as well as new audiences and the legacy he wishes to uphold in the world of timeless music.
You will recognize Artimus's resilience as he shares his journey against health challenges, including cancer and a heart attack, his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, legal challenges encountered in the music business, and his future plans in this engaging episode. This is a compelling tale of a musician shaped by adversity but driven by his unwavering love and passion for music.
Merry Christmas Eve Backstory fans! This episode marks the end of a long season 10 for us. .It is also our 150th episode. We look back at the year, and talk about a few of the highlights, and look ahead to the coming year in this episode. We also talk with our friend Mikey, who has been on the podcast previously. He catches us up on everything he has been doing. It's a story you don't want to miss, as he has had a hell of a year.
We want to wish you all a happy holiday season where ever you are, and hope the new year brings you all the good luck and love you could want. We will see you in a few weeks with more great episodes! Merry Christmas everyone!
Hello Backstory Fans!..In this episode we bring you a wide ranging conversation with singer/songwriter Will Wesley. Will has been performing for a long time, touring with his band, and recording. He takes on the Brenda Lee Chistmas classic “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”, putting his own spin on it. Find out why he chose this song, and all about his interesting backstory. Will loves being on stage, and creating music, and it shows in this great episode!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we talk to actor Gene Farber. Gene has appeared on tv, in movies and does voice over for video games. Born in Belarus, and moving to the US as a young man, he almost always is cast as the villain, and enjoys playing that role. Find out why in the episode, along with many other interesting things about our great guest!..His new movie, Abigail, has just been released. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for this episode where we chat with the amazing Lacy J Dalton. Lacy talks with us about her career, and the work involved with being in the music business as an independent artist. She also talks about some of her charity work, her love for animals, "16th Avenue" some of her influences, and the subject of her recent Christmas video, "Carl the Christmas Dog". Her passion for animals and music are at the forefront of this interesting episode that we hope you will enjoy.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we first reveal some of the things that have been happening recently that we mentioned on our last episode. A few surprises for us in this busy time of year.
We also sit down with singer/songwriter Savannah Dean Reeves, and chat about her path from singing in the car with her mom, to playing at the Hard Rock in Cancun, heading out to California for the Voice, and playing locally in Kentucky.. Savannah is developing a following around Kentucky and beyond with the help of her new song, "Bet on Me", which she plays a little of for us in this episode.. We hope you enjoy it! We also want to congratulate Savannah on her upcoming graduation from college. Find out where she is going next..
Hello Backstory fans! Its almost that time of year again and we are getting set to enjoy Thanksgiving here in the US. Immediately after is Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, 2 of the biggest shopping days of the year, so we put together a list of gift ideas to help you out with your post turkey holiday shopping. We searched for some fun and interesting gifts, and present you with this year's list in this fun episode. We don't share lists with each other before the episode. What will be on our lists this year? Who will have the more useful, or least practical gift? Have a Listen and find out!
Hello Backstory fans..It has been a long time since we originally did this, but in this episode, we take a crack at the random question generator again, as well as give a few updates on some things. Its a fun episode and we hope you will enjoy learning a bit more about what makes us tick.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we talk with Chase Carson of Unity Allies. Chase offers his vision and motivation for starting this venture, and what he hopes to achieve in the future. An interesting episode with an equally interesting young man.
IAbout Unity Allies - We are a nonprofit organization. Unity Allies mission is to educate, promote, and integrate diversity and inclusion work into everyday lives to the benefit of our youth, our economy, and our community. We offer a range of services to any entity (such as schools, businesses, individuals) from coaching and mentoring, workshops, guest speaking, and a new service we are excited about, the unification analysis. We are also constantly partnering with other entities to form programs, host events, and much more. To learn more about our organization, our vision, and how we can help you, visit our website at www.unityallies.org
Hello Backstory fans! Happy Halloween! In this episode we talk with Abbey Smith, who works at the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida. Abbey tells us about the many spirits that inhabit the lighthouse and grounds, and some of the strange things that have happened there. From things flying off walls to people getting backrubs, the lighthouse has its fair share of unexplained things going on. Its an interesting episode to make your hair stand up, and just perfect for this time of year.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we talk with songwriter Jennifer Adan. Jennifer has been writing songs since 5th grade, and that has led to a long career in Nashville, writing for artists such as Blake Shelton. we chat with her about her beginnings, and trace the path through today, find out her songwriting process, what it’s like to work with other songwriters, and find out what she’s up to now. We hope you enjoy this really interesting episode with Jennifer.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we bring you a great story about actress, comedienne, and singer Rose Marie. Perhaps best known for her role as Sally on the Dick Van Dyke Show, and a regular on the classic game show The Hollywood Squares, Rose Marie had a long and varied career in show business. Her daughter, Georgiana Guy- Rodrigues, aka "Noopy", sits down with us to talk about her mother's early years as a child star, Vegas, Gangsters, Sinatra, and many more stories from her youth. Noopy recalls the famous people that she crossed paths with, and the home life of her parents, hanging out in the early years of Las Vegas, etc. Its a sweet and nostalgic episode told by someone who lived through the early days of television, and her mom, Rose Marie, who blazed a trail for many women who came after her. We hope you enjoy this great episode.
Hello Backstory fans!..In this episode we chat with actor/musician Courtney Gains!..Courtney returns to share details about his new EP called "Safe Haven", just released. We chat about the making of this project, his love for music, and whether he considers music a hobby, or a second career. He also gives updates on what he has been up to recently outside of music, and in the time since we last interviewed him. We hope you enjoy this great episode with an equally great guest.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for another fun episode about Mystery Meets. Cat started this business as a traveling mystery dinner theater venture. In this episode we talk about writing, and how much of what is written is based on the writer. We also talk to Kim Miller, one of the actresses in Mystery Meets, and Brooke Stansbury, who is also an actress involved with Mystery Meets.. Kim cowrote the last script "The Reveal, and also the newest offering from Mystery Meets, called "The Game of Homes" Brooke acted in "The Reveal, and is connected to the production of the newest play in a unique way, as she reveals here. Find out Kim and Brooke's favorite moments working on "The Reveal"' as well as what drove them to join the cast of Mystery Meets. Also, who is the Persistent one of the group? Its an interesting look at the writing process, and what it takes to do dinner theater,
Hello Backstory Fans! In this interesting episode, we chat with author Stephen Jarchow, who co-wrote a new book about Artificial Intelligence. AI has been around for quite awhile, and we talk about its origins, and some of the more recent events related to its evolution. The story is really fascinating, and there is so much promise in the development of AI. But, as with any new technology, there are also downsides. We talk about all of these topics as well as what we can do to limit the downsides. Stephen gives an interesting look at what our collective futures could look like in an episode you don’t want to miss.
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we take a look at the path of Jonathan Cilia Faro, who grew up as an orphan in Italy, and made his way to America. He transformed his love for opera into a music career of his own, and is combining his talent for singing with his love for cooking.. His new album, Romantico, traces his path around the world over the past 16 yrs We talk with Johnathan about his amazing story, that has many twists and turns. We get his take on the popularity of opera, and what inspired him to combine his love for cooking with opera. We also talk about how Matt's recent trip to India went. Please enjoy this interesting and different episode.
From Jonathan Cilia Faro bio: Jonathan Cilia Faro was born in Sicily. He began studying music at the age of 9, learning both accordion and piano. The young musician found his voice during a music lesson, a nun saw his potential and encouraged him and taught him about the beauty and power of music. Jonathan was 9 years old when he heard a record of La Boheme sung by Luciano Pavarotti and his love for Opera was born.
Hello Backstory Fans! Join us for an interesting look at the life at baseball player Rickey Hill.
From Rickey’s Bio:
All Rickey Hill ever wanted to do was play professional baseball. That Hill was born with a degenerative spine disorder that had doctors doubting he'd ever walk normally was just an obstacle in his mind. Hill, who was signed in 1975 by the Montreal Expos, played four seasons in the minors before his body gave out.
Rickey’s brother wrote the story about Rickey’s life as a testament to his drive and inspiring story to have a record of his accomplishments, which was recently made into a movie called “The Hill”. Rickey recounts the story of how the movie came to be, and talks about a few things depicted in the movie, as well as his younger years before signing with the Expos.It’s a great episode we hope you will enjoy!
Hello Backstory Fans!..in this episode we talk with actor, writer, producer and director, Vince Lozano. Vince has a really interesting backstory of how he excelled in sports, was lured to California, started street dancing, and ended up in film, and on tv. Vince is a man who believed in himself, and that he could do whatever he set his mind to, and then did it. He has appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean, and numerous other projects. We chat with him about Pirates, one of his newer projects: Trauma Therapy: Psychosis, the importance of having a plan B (or not), along with other topics. We also chat about how to pronounce Caribbean, our own thoughts on having a plan B, and more. We hope you enjoy this great episode with our interesting guest, Vince Lozano.
Hello Backstory Fans!..in this episode we sit down with JP Pennington from the band Exile. JP was on his way to Nashville to play at the Opry, and chatted with us on the way there during this interview. We talk about the 60th anniversary of Exile, thier new album, “A Million Miles Later” and the single, “Rough Around the Edges”. We talk about the Opry, alittle about the new album, and get some backstory about the band through the years, and JP’s thoughts on playing “Kiss You All Over” all these years later. It’s always a pleasure to talk to JP, and hear updates on Exile, and what’s happening with their long and amazing career.
Hello Again Backstory fans ! We are back, and welcome you to Season 10! We are happy to return, and have missed doing the weekly episodes for you, although it's nice to take time off now and then..In this episode we talk about a few things we have been up to, and Cat talks about Mystery Meets, and the business she started..
We also talk about concerts, India, and weight loss, along with a few other topics. We also talk about things we have planned for Season 10! We hope you enjoy this episode and look forward to bringing you more great backstories in the weeks ahead!
Hello Backstory fans!.. welcome to the final episode of Season 9..We have had some great guests this past season, and tonight I’d no different. We chat with singer and songwriter Risha Allen. Risha has a pretty unique story of being a teacher for many years, and then a move to a new state gave her a chance to teach music, work with kids, further her love of writing her own songs, and going viral on social media. It’s a great episode you won’t want to miss with this amazing woman. We hope you enjoy it, and we will see you all in a few weeks with more great backstories!
Hello Backstory fans!. This episode starts with a discussion about Cat’s new venture: The Tri-County Mystery Meets…this is a new mobile dinner theater concept she has been hard at work on recently.. The first of 2 shows is going to be held on July 29th at the Pennington, in Corbin Kentucky. We chat about how the idea has evolved, Cat’s vision for it, how the script entitled “The Reveal” was developed, and the controversy that happened after the script was released. We also chat with the owner of the Pennington, about it’s storied history, and chat with couple of the actors involved in this fun new show. Find out what will be revealed in this interesting look at what it takes to put a show like this together, and what has motivated people to get involved in it.
This is the link to purchase tickets for July 29th
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mystery-meets-dinner-theatre-presents-the-reveal-tickets-663343216417
This is the link to purchase tickets to the August 6th show
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mystery-dinner-theatre-experience-tickets-667258346677
Hello again Backstory Fans...In this interesting episode we chat with singer and songwriter Byan Ruby. Bryan has a great story about how he went from playing baseball to playing guitar and writing songs. He has a new single out with Ty Herndon titled The Standouts, and gives us the story behind the song, and it's origins. We also talk baseball, the need for a plan B, and a range of other fun topics (even hot dog eating contests.) We hope you enjoy this episode with another great guest, Bryan Ruby!
Hello Backstory Fans! In this episode we have a chat with Sean O’Reilly. Sean has a long history writing comic books, and owns an animation studio. He has written, directed, and produced many animated movies, as well as worked in tv and the video game genres. His love of crafting stories and direction is apparent, and his excitement for what he’s working on is evident in our conversation with him. We talk a bit about comics, and the roots of his career. It’s a pretty interesting journey we hope you will enjoy hearing about, including his new movie, Heroes of the Golden Masks.
Hello Backstory fans! In this interesting episode, we chat with actor, director, producer, and writer Jared Cohn. In addition to his filmmaking career, Jared has also written a book about his experiences, and lessons learned in making over 50 movies. We chat with him about his beginnings, some of his movies, and the differences between making a movie vs writing a book. We also discovered we have a connection of sorts with Jared, and Artimus Pyle. Jared wrote and directed the Street Survivors movie about events centered around the infamous plane crash. We hope you enjoy this fun episode.
Hello Backstory family!. In this episode we talk a bit about writing songs, and then have a long chat with singer/ songwriter Kent Blaze. Kent has had a long and amazing career writing and working with many of the most recognizable names in Country music. He has written many songs with Garth Brooks, and has connections with a whole host of artists too numerous to mention here, along with 7 number one hits. Kent talks about his early days, his love for rock music, many of his influences, and his approach to writing hit records. Kent also has a new album in which he explores some of the influences he has had over the years, and gives us i view into making this record. It’s a fascinating look at the career of an equally uinteresting artist.
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we chat with actor Kevin Spirtas. Kevin is a multi Emmy winning actor, who has appeared on stage, film, and television, as well as different web series. He is probably best known for his work on various soap operas. He also co created and starred in the acclaimed web series “After Forever”. This is a fun look at Kevin’s long career, and what drives him. We hope you enjoy this intriguing episode.
Cat also talks alittle about an exciting upcoming project she is working on.
Happy Memorial Day weekend Backstory fans!..Join us for another great episode with Film maker Sudeshna Sen. From her bio: "Her first feature film "Anu" is an adaptation of Anjali Banerjee's novel "Looking For Bapu". Sudeshna describes herself as a filmmaker of quiet moments, interludes of meaning and emotion that are unforgettable to those immersed in them, and unknowable to others." We chat about the film "Anu", and the process of making this, adapting the book to match her vision for it. Its a great chat with alot of insight into how this film came to life. as well as Sudeshna's passion for this project.
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we chat with Charlotte Stewart, who is an actress with a long career in film and tv. She is probably best known for her role as school teacher Miss Beadle, on the well loved tv show “Little House on the Prarie”. We talk a bit about Teacher Appreciation week, and some of the gifts Cat received over the years during her career as a teacher, including her most memorable one. Charlotte talks with us about her interesting beginnings in her acting career, including a memorable trip she took with one of the most legendary singers in music. Some of her stories of living through the 60s and early 70s are not to be missed. She shares some of her triumphs and struggles over the years in this very candid interview, and we are very happy to bring them to you here.
Hello Backstory Fans, and especially all the moms out there! We want to wish all of these special ladies a Happy Mothers Day!
In this episode we get to sit down with the ladies from Chapel Hart, who happen to have a new album coming out on May 19th. They are gaining a huge following and their appearance on America's Got Talent has pushed them further along the road to success. Getting noticed by country music royalty such as Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn helps too. In this brief interview, we chat with them about these topics, family, the AGT appearance, and their new album, Glory Days, along with their answers to a few other interesting questions. We hope you enjoy this great interview with these amazing ladies.
Hello Backstory family! Welcome to Season 9! In this episode, we chat a bit about a variety of topics ranging from intro music, what constitutes music being classified as an “oldie”, cover bands and impersonators, and more. (You will notice we talk about changing our intro music, but had a technical glitch that prevented us from doing that for this episode. We hope to have that sorted out next week.) We also talk about letting one of us use the others cell phone, and the conversation inspired Cat to write a song, which is at the very end of the episode! Find out what that’s all about, and more in this fun episode.
We want to give huge thanks to the amazingly talented Risha Allen for performing Cat’s new song!
Hello Backstory Fans! Tonight marks the end of Season 8! We hope you’ve enjoyed our guests this season as much as we have enjoyed talking to them and bringing them to you. In this episode we present Singer/songwriter, author, and Producer, Kelly Lang. Kelly has a new audiobook available, titled “I’m Not Going Anywhere”. In it Kelly relays many of the lessons she has learned during her life from the adversity she has faced over the years. She reveals the genesis of the title, and the sweet story of what cemented that choice for her. We also hear the story of her long friendship with Olivia Newton John, and Barry Gibb. This is a brief but really interesting talk, and we hope to have Kelly back in the future to dive deeper into her fascinating life.
We also want to once again thank you, our fans, for listening, and motivating us every day. We will see you all in the near future with an all new season!
Hello Backstory fans! In this great episode we sit down with country artist, singer/songwriter Makenzie Phipps. Makenzie is a powerhouse vocalist who’s latest single called “A Little of Both” is currently available for streaming, along with some great other songs she was recorded. From covers to originals, Mackenzie’s voice does them all justice. In our chat, she talks about getting her start in music and reforming, and how things are evolving for her currently, performing, and moving to Nashville . It’s a great look
At how her career is gathering steam and moving in the right direction.
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode, we talk with director April Wright. April had previously produced a movie chronicling the rise and fall of the drive in movie theater. In it she examined the history as well as the current state (as of 2013) of this iconic American pastime. She visited almost every state, and many of the drive-ins in each. Her love of these places started when she was very young, and attended the movies with her family, and she has always been fascinated with them. A recent project of hers, “Back to the Drive-in” examines how the industry has changed, adapted, and tried to compete with streaming services of late. She talks to current owners of these facilities and gets great insight into how they are managing to stay open, the hard work involved, and a myriad of other issues these owners face. It’s a fascinating look at this beloved memory that a lot of us share, whether it be as a child watching a Disney movie for the first time, a teenager on a date to see the latest horror movie, or an adult feeling nostalgic about the fun had at the drive in. We also talk a bit about some of our own drive in memories. We hope you enjoy this really interesting episode the April!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we sit down with actor, writer, and producer Mike Manning. He got his start in acting in high school productions, and later was cast for a spot on the MTV series The Real World: DC. This would lead to other roles in a Disney movie, tv series roles, and many other acting opportunities, his recurring roll on the long running soap opera, Days of Our Lives among them. He also has multiple Emmy awards thrown into the mix for acting, and producing to round out his resume. His recent movie, "The Way Out" is available to stream now. We chat with Mike about all of these topics and much more in this intriguing episode. His love of acting is evident, and he gives some great insight into how he approaches roles, and what drives him to act.
Mike’s Bio:
Mike Manning is an American actor, producer, reality television personality and activist. Manning gained fame as a cast member on the MTV series The Real World: D.C.[2] before subsequently embarking on an acting career, appearing in a number of films and television programs, such as the 2014 Disney Channel original movie Cloud 9, in which he played Nick Swift, Hawaii Five-0, Love Is All You Need? (2016), Teen Wolf, The Call, Son of the South and Days of Our Lives.[3] As a producer, his work includes the documentary Kidnapped for Christ,[4] and The Bay, which won the 2020 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series.[5] He won the 2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Daytime Fiction Program for his performance as Caleb McKinnon.[6]
Hello Backstory fans! Join us for this great episode when we sit down with author Mitali Perkins. Mitali has written numerous Young Adult books, and her book, Rickshaw Girl, has been recently made into a movie. She relays the story behind the book, and how the mo0vie came about, her thoughts about the premiere of the movie, and how it felt to walk the red carpet. Mitali also tells us about how she got into writing, some of her travels, and talks about the writing process for her. Its a great interview with a successful author, and very interesting person. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her, and know you will as well
A bit more about Mitali in her own words:
,"I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.
By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong characters crossing all kinds of borders, seeking community, and promoting justice."
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we bring you a second actress from the series "Three Pines",and chat with Sarah Booth. Sarah talks about getting her start in acting, working as a stunt woman at Universal Studios, and what it's like working with her husband on various film projects, along with much more. There are some great stories in this wide ranging interview, with an interesting woman who has had an equally interesting career, that you won't want to miss!
Sarah's IMDb Bio:
Sarah Booth is a Canadian born, classically trained actor. She is a regular on the upcoming series Three Pines (Amazon Prime) from the producers of The Crown and appeared as a Guest Star on Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount+) and Heartland (CBC).Sarah trained in Montreal and continues to work on stage, including her critically acclaimed performance as Una in Blackbird. In 2018, Ms. Booth was the recipient of ACTRA's inaugural Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.Additional film and television work includes recurring roles on Y: The Last Man (FX), Helix (SYFY), The Moodys (Fox) and 21 Thunder (Netflix) as well as lead roles in Trapped (Lifetime), The Scarehouse (Universal) and the single-take feature Last Call. Sarah has appeared on American Horror Story (FX), The Bold Type (Freeform) and best-selling game Far Cry 5 (Ubisoft). Sarah was the face of President's Choice 2021 campaign in both English and French.Sarah used to save the day in Universal Studio's Waterworld live stunt show and challenges her adventurous spirit with horseback riding, running and fitness
Hello BackStory fans! In this episode, after we talk a bit about crime dramas, famous Canadians, and Columbo, we sit down with the amazing actress Anna Tierney. She is an interesting person with an equally interesting backstory, who we thoroughly enjoyed chatting with. a few eclectic topics discussed: renovating houseboats, roller derby, accents, and much more. From Anna’s bio:
Anna Tierney is an English actress, born in Manchester and raised in Northolt, West London. She is the daughter of renowned actor Malcolm Tierney (Braveheart, Lovejoy, Star Wars, Poldark and the original House Of Cards) and visual artist, Andrea Tierney.
In August 2021 Anna began filming as a series regular opposite Alfred Molina in the hotly anticipated 'Three Pines' Inspector Gamache series. The stories, based on the best-selling crime novels written by Louise Penny, have been adapted for screen by Emilia Di Girolamo and can be seen on Amazon Prime.
Anna trained at the Drama Centre London and was supported through drama school through various awards and the support of actors Jeremy Irons, Ian McKellen, Kitty Aldridge, Timothy West, Ian McShane and Roger Lloyd Pack. After graduating she landed a role In the BBC's long running series 'Doctors', where she played Marianne Hartwell.
She created the show 'Skate Hard, Turn Left’ ; a devised, highly physical theatre show performed entirely on roller skates. Over intensive rehearsal periods, she trained the troupe of actors to roller skate, inspired by the sport of roller derby. Anna is a highly skilled skater in real life and played roller derby semi-professionally for 8 years with London Roller Derby. While performing in the hit international tour of the play, ‘Our Country's Good', she performed at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and then for the 25 Year anniversary at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theater. It was here she met her partner, acclaimed musician and singer Gabriel DeSantis.
Hello Backstory fans! It's our Post Valentines Day episode with our friends Corri Ramey, and Johnathan Stephens. Both are previous guests who talked to us about what it was like teaching during the pandemic a couple years ago, and returned later to give us updates on what they were up to a year or so later. In this episode we catch up again with each, and hear the story of how they went from coworkers to dating. While they havent been dating a long time, the conversation reveals how much they admire and care for each other, and how close they have grown in the past months. There is certainly Chemistry between them, and either through coincidence, or divine intervention, there are many signs that pointed the way to each other, as you will discover. It’s a sweet episode you will enjoy as much as we did recording it.
PS: On occasion, the editing software does some unexpected things, and doesn’t give us the desired output. As such, there may be a few odd things you’ll notice during listening. We strive to provide quality audio, but sometimes, no matter what we do, it isn’t as good as we would like. We apologize in advance if you find this is the case.
Hello Backstory family! In this special pre Valentine's Day episode, we talk with our friends Monica Justice, and CW Graham. This couple met when both were least expecting to meet anyone. Monica had all but given up at finding love again after the death of her spouse, and CW had been through a few bad relationships. Yet, somehow, they found each other. Monica and CW share the sweet stories that have cemented their relationship, and are currently busy planning their upcoming wedding. Its a Valentine's Day episode full of love and we bring this to you in this heartfelt episode. Its a true testament to Monica and CW and their love for each other that we know you will find interesting, funny, and touching.
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we talk with author Jeff Rasley about his book “72 Wisdoms” Jeff is a previous guest, and has written an interesting book showcasing 72 different quotes, or sayings, some which will be familiar, and others maybe lesser known. He discusses the origins of each, the people they are attributed to, and some of his interpretations and stories that stand out about each. Backstory Sessions even gets a mention in the book. It is a very interesting read. Jeff relays a few stories about what prompted him to write the book and a funny one involving the chapter with Backstory Sessions in it. All in all a great episode with lots of insight from a man who is well travelled, and has dug alittle deeper beyond the face of things in his quest for knowledge and understanding.
Hello Backstory fans! In this great episode we welcome actress, author, and stand up comedian, Alison Arngrim, who played the somewhat mean spirited and snobbish "Nellie Oleson" on the popular tv show "Little House on the Prairie". Alison chats with us about her time on the show of course, and what it was like to play a character that people loved to hate. She wrote a book about the subject, "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" which was a New York Times Best Seller. Her one woman show of the same name has been performed around the US and Europe. She has also performed in plays, and has appeared in many movies over the years, and is a frequent guest on various tv shows often. Alison also talks about her deep roots in activism, having been involved in AIDS education and awareness, as well as child abuse prevention for many years. While the common perception of the character of "Nellie" is that of a mean girl, Alison is exactly the opposite. Her caring personality, her humor, and her willingness to talk about everything with openness and passion is proof of this. We hope you enjoy this chance to get to know Alison, and we know you will find this interview as enjoyable as we did.
Hello again Backstory fans! In this special episode we are honored to talk with 4 time Emmy award winning actress, Michael Learned. Michael played Olivia Walton, mother of the Walton clan on the series of the same name for 9 years. She has appeared in many films, tv movies, series, and soap operas over the course of her long career, and currently plays Jeffery Dahmer's grandmother in the Netflix series "Dahmer". We get a very interesting look at Michael's career, and her start in the acting business. Of course, we chat about her time on the Waltons, and being an actress on such a beloved tv show, as well as her more recent projects. Its a great episode you don't want to miss with this legendary actress.
Welcome back Backstory fans! In this episode we present the second part of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Our guest this week is Brit Lightning. Brit is the musical director for the Fantast Camp, and also the guitarist for the band Vixen. Brit is also participating in the upcoming all female Fantasy Camp, along side such great artists as Wynona, Vicki Peterson from the Bangles, and Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. This event takes place in Nashville on Jan 19th - 22nd. We talk at length with Brit about her career, and how she got started playing, as well as hear many stories from her time as musical director working with last week's guest, David Fishof. Its a really interesting interview we know you will enjoy as much as we did.
Welcome Backstory fans!.. This episode begins Season 8 and we are excited to share our conversation with David Fishof, the creator of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. This is the first of 2 episodes about the camp.
‘David began his musical career, and shortly after, stopped performing. At the urging of his father, he started booking various musical and entertainment acts at different resorts in the Catskills. From there he went into sports management, and was very successful. Later, he conceived the idea of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. We talk with David about his path from where he got his start, to present day. He has many great stories of the people he has met along the way, and a few hints on what’s next for him. It’s a great interview you don’t want to miss! By the end of this episode, you will be left wanting to unleash your inner Rock star!.
Welcome Backstory fans, and Merry Christmas! This episode marks rhe end of season 7 for us, and the beginning of our Holiday break, but don't worry. We will be back in early January with another great run of episodes we know you will enjoy. We want to wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that the coming year is amazing for you all.
In this episode, we look back at some of the stand out moments for each of us, and talk alittle about the holidays, the possibility of receiving coal for Christmas, alittle about the Waltons tv show, and a look ahead to Season 8.
We also chat with actress Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen on the Waltons. Judy talks about her time on the show.and what it was like as a child actor, growing up on the show. She talks about her costars, a d how they have remained a family of sorts,even now 50 years later. Judy has also recorded a Christmas album, which has been a long time dream of hers. We really enjoyed talking with Judy, and know you will really like this episode.
See you all In a few weeks with the start of Season 8!
Hello Backstory fans! We are quickly rounding the curve and into the home stretch before the big holiday! We hope everyone is finalizing plans, and grabbing those last minute gifts! Only a week left.
In this episode we present the second half of "The Christmas Tapes" with actor Dave Sheridan.
From Dave's IMDB Page:
In addition to his film roles, Dave Sheridan is credited with introducing the reality series to the MTV audience with Buzzkill (1996), a show that featured three slacker buddies staging elaborate pranks and catching it all on video.Sheridan began his career interning at Saturday Night Live (1975). From there, he entered Chicago's famed comedy Mecca, The Second City, where he wrote, directed and produced Dave Sheridan's America, a multimedia stage show. He has also appears in a few videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Dave is a really interesting interview and we get to chat with him about all manner of things. We talk about the movie The Christmas Tapes, and his role in it, his playing an astronaut, his kindergarten teacher, filming in Kentucky, and a long list of other topics. We hope you enjoy this fun episode, and thank Dave for his time.
Welcome back! As part of our interview with 2 of the actors involved in the new movie The Christmas Tapes, we present episode 1. In this very special episode, we chat again with our friend, actor Vernon Wells! Vernon talks with us about his role in the movie in which he gets to play Santa Claus: a first for him. We also touch on a variety of other subjects with Vernon: his holiday plans, what a good gift for him would be, and his plans for the coming year. He shares a bit about a few other movies he has done recently, and much more. We are honored to be able to bring you another great interview with this very busy, funny, thoughtful, and genuine actor, as well as a heck of a nice human being.
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we talk to the amazing Rhonda Vincent! ‘Affectionately known as the Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda began her professional music career at the age of 5, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She later picked up the mandolin, and the fiddle by age 10. She has become one of the most celebrated Bluegrass artists of our time. With multiple IBMA awards, ans a Grammy for best Bluegrass album, Rhonda has cemented her place among the greats of Bluegrass and Country music.’
We chat about the early days of performing, and growing up in a musical family, jobs she has held, and meeting various celebrities, such as Elton John. Rhonda is a great guest, and we hope to chat with her again soon.
Hello again Backstory fans! Well, Turkey day has passed. We hope you all enjoyed the stuffing and green bean casserole. Since Thanksgiving has passed, and we are almost all tired of leftovers by now, it would seem that our ollective attention has turned toward all things holiday; apple cider donuts, eggnog, and of course, finding the perfect gifts to give loved ones, or maybe to buy for yourself, because, dang it, you deserve it!. In this episode, we throw out a few possibilities for you, and share some thoughts about them. While some of these might not be things you would buy for someone else, you might consider them for yourself. We picked these because we thought they were kinda cool, and will be posting links for the items soon, should you want further information. We hope you enjoy this wide ranging episode, and maybe find a gift idea in it for a loved one, yourself, or your favorite podcasters... Happy Holiday Shopping everyone!
Hello Backstory family! We are back with another great episode talking with drummer, Bev Bevan! Bev has had a long and successful career in music, and has traveled the world with different bands. Starting back in 1962, and later with The Move, and Electric Light Orchestra, ELO Part 2, Black Sabbath, on through to today with his band Quill, Bev has lived the rock and roll life, and is part of the history of the genre we all know. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ELO. Bev shares the chronology of his career, and has many tales about everyone from the Beatles, to Hendrix, to The Rolling Stones. He shares all this and more in this fascinating episode. We also find out what event in Bev’s life he would love to relive every day. We know you will enjoy listening to this icon of rock music.
Welcome to our 100th episode! We are so happy to have reached this big milestone, and thank you, our awesome listeners for getting us here! Since it is such a special episode for us, we wanted to bring you a very special guest, and we are honored to sit down with tv legend Loretta Swit! This year marks 50 yrs since MASH first aired, and Loretta spent all 11 seasons playing nurse Margaret Houlihan, appearing in almost every episode. She talks about the early days of filming, her thoughts on the impact that playing such a strong female character has had on women, as well as herself, and many other topics related to her time on the show. Loretta is also deeply involved in many charitible foundations, and talks about her painting, books of paintings and stories behind them, and a new perfume she has out. It was a true pleasure to chat with her, and we are so happy to bring you this very special episode, with an amazing, funny, and very sweet guest for our 100th, and we look forward to many many more.
Hello Backstory fans! This week we bring you another haunted episode, because who doesn’t love Halloween, right? We sit down the actress Gena Shaw, who is in the new film, “A Savannah Haunting”. The film was written and directed by William Mark McCullough, who grew up in the house where the film was shot. The movie is based on true events. And the house itself has a fair bit of creepiness about it. Gena talks with us about all the somewhat unexplained things that went on during filming, and how she decided to take the role in the film in the first place. We also delve deeper int Gena’s backstory, growing up in NJ, and find out what tv show she’d love to be on soon, as well as many other facts about this interesting, funny, and charismatic actress. We are excited to present this wide ranging episode!
Hello all Backstory ghosts, ghouls and goblins! Welcome to another haunting episode. In this one, we chat with Shirlene Edwards, who has spent the better part of her life working at Waverly Hills, just outside of Louisville, KY. Her connection the the property actually goes back generations, with her father and grandparents also working there. Originally opened as a small hospital in the early 1900s, Waverly has a long and storied past, which Shirlene recounts for us. As one would expect, there are many stories of paranormal activity there due to the numbers of patients and workers who lived and died there. We hear about these sightings as well as some of the more creepy things about the property, such as the body chute, and possibly mass graves that may or may not be somewhere on the original property. We also talk with a first time visitor to the property, named Brian, who gives his impressions of what it’s like to tour the building, and if he felt the place is haunted. A truly fascinating look at the history and unexplained sightings at Waverly that you won’t want to miss! Happy Halloween!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode our former guest, singer/songwriter H. Jack Williams returns. We catch up with him on a number of topics: Jack talks about filming his video released previously called “Beat Me Again”, about abuse, and the amazing woman he sang a duet with in the video. In his newest video, "One More Day", available now on YouTube, Jack invites a couple friends from Lynyrd Skynyrd appear in as well, and it was partially filmed on the beach at Kevin Costner house in California. He also recounts his trip to the UK where he met up with his old friend Roger Daltrey, who he hadn’t seen in 20 yrs. We trade thoughts on seeing the Eagles concert for the first time earlier this year. Jack shares his excitement about being asked by Kevin Costner to be in his movie called "Horizon". He has been friends with Mr. Costner for many years and wrote a few songs with him and occasionally performs with Kevin’s band. He talks about the experience, from Kevin asking him if he wanted to be in the movie, to the actual filming of his scenes, and his path into acting. This is a really interesting episode with a guy who has amazing stories of things he’s done, and people he has met along the way. His enthusiasm is contagious! We love catching up with Jack, and know you all will enjoy hearing what's new with Jack as well.
Hello Backstory fans! In this very special episode we sit down with the amazing and living part of rock history, Artimus Pyle! discuss how our interview with Artimus came together, and our personal recollections of growing up listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
A Kentucky native, Artimus was the drummer for the band, and survived the plane crash that took the lives of some of his band mates back in 77.. In our conversation with Artimus, we talk about his band, the Artimus Pyle Band, their work with various veterans groups and charities, and a recent local event to raise money for the flood victims in eastern Kentucky. He also shares his feelings about the upcoming 45th anniversary of the plane crash, cover bands, and a few stories about Skynyrd. We also chat about the re-release of Street Survivors, the biopic about events leading up to the crash, and also a tribute album he is working on with other artists to be released soon. We can't thank Artimus enough for coming by to talk with us briefly, and we hope to have him back soon for a longer conversation. Its rare to get to talk to a member of arguably one of the most influential bands in rock, and it was an honor to do so!
Corbin and London KY comprise 4 of the exits as you head South on I75 toward Tennessee, or just over the Kentucky border as you head north, and as you go farther off the highway, you get to see and experience some of the really interesting and unique things only found in this part of the state. In this episode we chat with the tourism directors of both Corbin (Maggie Kriebel Monhollen) and the London Laurel County Tourism Commission (Kelly Burton). Both of these dedicated women tell us about how they ended up working in tourism, and about all the fun and interesting things going on in the area from October to December and beyond. From festivals, to hiking and camping, and of course chicken, to the world's only place to see a moonbow, the area has something for everyone to enjoy. Lots of great information from our guests that will have you wanting to come by and check out all the Fall festivities and other events happening throughout the year.
Hello again Backstory family! We have a very special episode for you! Cat’s Whitley County High School class has just had their 40th reunion, and had chosen “Through the Years” way back in 1982 as their class song. We first have the honor of talking with Steve Dorff, who wrote the song, and shares the story of how it got written, as well as the events that transpired in pitching the song to Kenny Rogers. Steve also shares some additional stories from his long and successful songwriting career. With five decades, 20 top 10 hits, Grammy and Emmy award nominations, and a spot in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame under his belt, Steve has had his songs recorded by over 250 artists. A truely remarkable career, with no signs of slowing down. We can’t thank him enough for agreeing to sit down with us and talk about the song and share his own impressions of it, as well as feedback he continually gets about it. We then turn our attention to some of Cat’s classmates who share with us what the song has meant to them looking back at thier high school days, and what it means to them now, 40 years later. We also hear the ways in which life has changed for each of them after high school, and where they are now. It is an interesting mix of stories that are funny, sweet, at times bittersweet, and definitely have many twists and turns. One thing is clear though : The Whitley County class of ‘82 is a special group. The love they share for each other as classmates is evident in every minute of this episode. From the feedback we received in planning the episode, to the lengths they all went to to make sure those who weren’t able to attend the reunion were still able to be a part of it was amazing. We hope you enjoy this sentimental episode, and we congratulate the Whitley County Class of ‘82 on their 40th reunion. Special thanks to our guests (in no particular order): Angie Wilson, Gary Bryant, Nat Hyde, Jim Wilson, Judith Streetman Sherman, Tami Moses Cox Mason, and Teresa Rountree
Welcome to the first episode of Season 7! Its going to be a great one, and we are happy to be back and bringing you all the awesome guests, and their backstories again.
We have a great episode for you with our new friend, singer/songwriter Allie Colleen. Allie chats with us about a variety of topics including tattoos, summer jobs, touring, and of course her music. We talk about some of the inspirations for her songs, and how they came to be recorded. Her recent single "Feels Like", was written by Allie, and Kimberly Atwood, and is produced by Lee Brice, and Jerrod Niemann. We found Allie to be just the nicest person, sweet, funny, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and engaging. We know you will enjoy this episode and will want to check out more of her music and info at www.alliecolleenmusic.com
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we chat with actor, writer, and director Bret Lada. He has appeared in many network tv shows, such as Law and Order, Orange is the New Black, and others. Bret’s film, “The Andy Baker Tape” tells the story of 2 half brothers who are food bloggers, and through a series of twists and turns, end up going missing during a road trip chronicled by one of the brothers. Bret talks about the genesis of the project, the issues he and his team ran into while filming, as well as the long process in getting the film edited, music scored, and a host of other topics. It’s a great look into taking a film project from concept to completion on a small budget, and the highs and lows of it all. Lots of interesting insights from this great guest. This episode also brings an end to Season 6. We chat a bit about the season, and share some of our favorite happenings, and give very vague hints about what’s coming next season. We want to thank our guests from this season, and also you our listeners. Our guests are appreciated for their time and willingness to tell their stories, and our listeners for, well, listening, and providing feedback, and stories of thier own. We are forever grateful! Wel will return on Sept 25th with a new season, and more great Backstorys!
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode, after talking about the various fairs we have attended, we sit down with singer songwriter Alex Miller. Alex was a contestant on American idol and is currently touring to promote his new album, “Miller Time”. He will be opening for Niko Moon at the Kentucky State Fair later this week. Alex shares some great stories with us about songs he has written and recorded, his early days of performing, and getting to meet and work with some of his own idols in recently. He is a young rising star in country music, who has worked to bridge the gap between the traditional country music and current country genres. His love for the older icons of country has heavily influenced him, and his willingness to stretch and see what’s possible will keep him going for years to come. His talent, humor, and work ethic comes through in this really interesting interview, and we look forward to having him back again soon. We know you will enjoy it!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we present an interview we did with actress Yulia Klass awhile back. We chat about a few of her memorable roles, as well as her recent movie “Captors”. She has worked alongside many action movie stars, such as Bruce Willis, Steven Segal, and many others, and enjoys playing strong roles that get to kick butt, as you will discover.It’s an interesting conversation with a hard working and very down to earth person who enjoys what she does. We hope to have Yulia back for a longer talk in the future, as she is a great guest..We also talk about Chicken, bricks, and a few other random items in the beginning part of the episode. We hope you enjoy another interesting chat!
Hello Backstory fans! In this episode, after talking about a few things happening in our neck of the woods, we chat with writer/director Christine Chen and actress Leila Anastasia Scott from the movie "Erzulie". The story goes, A reunion between four friends quickly goes awry when they find themselves face to face with ERZULIE: the swamp mermaid goddess. Christine talks about the origins of this project, and her vision for it, as well as the challenges she faced in getting the project off the ground and filming a movie in a Louisiana swamp, sometimes at night. Leila shares her thoughts on playing the strong female character Erzulie, who features prominently in a Creole folk tale. This is a really interesting interview with 2 great guests. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we talk with Matt Hammitt, whose son Bowen was born with a severe heart defect. We discuss the range of emotions that he and his wife dealt with upon hearing the news, and the ensuing issues they dealt with leading up to Bowen’s birth, as well as things dealt with though various surgeries Bowen has had. They chose to document the process and have released a documentary to help families who are dealing with these sorts of issues. There are some grim statistics regarding the effects that a serious illness of a child can have on a family, and this family’s amazing story serves as a great example and reminder that we can get through many things with faith, hope, and love. Matt shares his family’s story, and fills us in on how Bowen is thriving and doing some inspiring things of his own. It’s a really unique story told from a different point of view rather than focusing specifically on Bowen. We thank Matt for sharing his family’s amazing journey with us. We also talk a bit before our conversation with Matt about the recent flooding in eastern Kentucky, and some of the great response by local businesses in our area to help the victims of the severe flooding that took place earlier this week. And, finally, we give a shout out to a new dinner theater murder mystery opening next weekend in our area at the Kentucky Playhouse in Corbin KY.
Hello Backstory fans! We have a really great episode for you this week. We sit down and chat with actor Vernon Wells! If you've ever seen some of the Mad Max movies, Commando, or Weird Science, among others, Vernon will be instantly recognizable as portraying some of the most intense and potentially scary roles in these movies. We found him to be quite the opposite from his on screen personas though. We have a long talk with him about his intro to acting, and he reveals lots of interesting and funny stories about his long career. He has worked with many icons in the film industry through the years, and talks about their influence on him. From listening to his stories of working with Mel Gibson, his first meeting with Clint Eastwood, and much more, we get the sense that Vernon has remained grounded, and continues to enjoy acting, as well as helping the other actors and directors he works with currently perfect their craft. We chat about his many upcoming and current projects as well. Definitely a genuinely nice, charismatic, funny, and sweet man. Until in front of the camera, or until you poke the bear. We thank Vernon for his time and being such a great interview guest.
Hello again Backstory fans. In this episode we chat with film maker Darcy Weir, who has recently released his new documentary, “Bitcoin Field Guide to Understanding Cryptocurrency”
In the documentary, the concept of what bitcoin is, how it came to be, and where it’s headed is discussed, as well as topics like blockchain, uses for it, mining, and a long list of others that are explained in detail. We were fortunate to have been able to see the film, and it presents a lot of great information in a fun and entertaining way. The future of bitcoin, cryptocurrency in general, and blockchain is going to affect us all, and very soon, as the documentary points out.
In our discussion discussion with Darcy, we talk about some of his other documentaries dealing with Bigfoot, as well as aliens, and he shares some of the surprising things he has uncovered in researching these and other topics. This is a really interesting and info packed episode we are sure you won’t want to miss!
Welcome back to our Backstory fans…In this episode we chat with writer and Director Wes Hurley, whose new film, “Potato Dreams of America” is out on all major streaming services. The film deals with a myriad of topics related to Wes’ childhood in the former Soviet Union, and his mother’s desire to get herself and Wes to The US. It is a mostly biographical account of what took place during Wes’ childhood, where he came to dream of a new life here by watching American movies with his mother. His mother starts corresponding with a man from the US and ultimately Wes and his mother get there wish of moving to the US. This major life change is not without its challenges for each of them, and the film expertly depicts some of the events each dealt with after coming here. It is a sweet, interesting, and funny story, yet it shows some of the hard decisions made by Wes’s mother in the hope of giving Wes a better life. For Wes’ part, the film also deals with his struggles to fit in and find himself here in the US. We also get a bit of Wes’ backstory beyond the film, and a few things not included in it. We invite you to check out the film, and listen to this really interesting episode with Wes. We know you will enjoy both.
Hello Backstory fans!..Our episode this week is another really interesting one where we talk with director Sean Cisterna, and journalist and author Filipe Leite, whose epic adventure is the subject of thier documentary: The Long Rider. We talk with Sean about how the project came to be, and the challenges he faced in sifting through a mountain of video to tell Filipe’s story in a compelling fashion. Filipe talks about his life changing journey, and his own challenges he faced along the way, as well as the motivation it takes to plan, attempt, and ultimately finish such an amazing feat. It is a truly inspiring story of courage, drive, and, maybe, to some, a dose of craziness. We admire Filipe’s adventurous spirit, and Sean’s ability to tell this story, that we know you will want to hear more about.
The Long Rider:
A documentary/western , the film follows Filipe Leite, an aspiring journalist who leaves his adoptive home of Canada on an epic quest to ride from Calgary to his family's home in Brazil - and later beyond - entirely on horseback. Inspired by Aimé Tschiffely's 1925 equestrian journey, Filipe's 8 year odyssey of over 25,000 kms across 12 international borders, sees the young immigrant battle intense heat, drought, speeding transport trucks, nature's wrath and corrupt border guards on his history-making long ride home.
Sean Cisterna Bio:
Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning and versatile film director. His latest film is the feature documentary The Long Rider (2022), the expansive and inspiring story of Filipe Masetti Leite's journey from Canada to Brazil entirely on horseback, and filmed in 13 different countries. Cisterna found success with From the Vine (2020), an international coproduction starring Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix, Memento, The Sopranos), and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Cisterna directed the acclaimed cancer drama Kiss and Cry (2017), which topped the Canadian box office, and is currently streaming on Netflix worldwide. His 2015 feature Full Out, starring Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, The L Word), is based on the true story of gymnast Ariana Berlin. The film was broadcast on NBC, now residing with Netflix Worldwide and Disney Europe. Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award by the Federal Government for his dedication to and community engagement in the arts.
Filipe Masetti Leite Bio: Filipe Masetti Leite is a world-renowned Long Rider, award-winning journalist, and best-selling author. The Brazilian born cowboy is the youngest person in the world to cross the Americas on horseback. In 2020 he was chosen as the Calgary Stampede’s Grand Marshal and ‘white-hatted’ by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. He is the author of the best-sellers, Long Ride Home (soon to be a motion picture) and Long Ride to the End of the World, published in Portuguese (Harper Collins) and English, soon to be released in Spanish. Filipe is a regular contributor to The Toronto Star, a frequent guest on Rede Globo’s Fantastico, Brazil’s most watched Sunday night television show, and is writing his third memoir, Last Long Ride. His feature Documentary, The Long Rider, will be released in 2022 on Super Channel and Amazon Prime Canada. The first pair of boots he wore on his Long Ride are on display at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and two statues, more than five meters tall, have been erected in Brazil to celebrate his feat.
Welcome back Backstory fans! In this great episode we ring up actor James Duval. He has been in a ton of movies, with some favorites of ours being “Donnie Darko”,“Independence Day” and “Gone in 60 Seconds”. James sits down with us and talks about these roles and more in this wide ranging episode where we get to know more about him. We discuss his backstory to getting into acting, what it was like being on the set of some of the larger budget movies he has been in, as well as some of the indie films he has enjoyed doing just as much. We discuss his love of music, and we were a bit surprised to find out his favorite genre. We also discuss his new film, “I, Challenger”, in which he plays a slacker who wants to change his life, and comes up with the idea of live-streaming a self-burial stunt. What could go wrong? James was funny, charismatic, humble, and very kind during our chat, and we really enjoyed talking with him. It’s an interview you don’t want to miss!
Hello Backstory fans! Welcome to another interesting episode! A lot of people have had the fantasy of hopping in their car one day and just driving off on an adventure somewhere, but very few actually follow through because of obligations, time, fear, etc. in this episode we talk with Gypsy J, who has done exactly that. He had known from a very young age that he wanted to see the world on his own terms, and for the last 5 years, has been traveling to various places in the US in his van, dubbed Dorothy. He talks about his decision making process in getting started, and what his feelings were at the beginning of his journey. We chat about problems encountered and how he approaches the unexpected things that pop up when least expected. The nomadic life might not be for everyone, but with the right temperament, an ability to plan, and good equipment, Gypsy J shows that it is possible to live life in a van, and still be comfortable. We also chat about how he came to find Dorothy, and why he named his van this. This episode is a very interesting story about one man’s search for his own happiness, and we enjoyed talking with Gypsy J a lot. His story is inspiring and will appeal to the adventurous spirit in us all.
Welcome to Season 6 Backstory fans! We are excited to return and kick off the new season with you. Our amazing guest for this episode is country artist Tess Frizzell. She sits down with us to discuss her very unique and interesting journey to where she is today, and has many great stories of growing up with fame all around her. In alot of ways, Tess has come full circle with the release of her new single, "The Wrong One", which was started years ago, by Tess' grandmother, country legend Dottie West. The story of how the song came to be recorded by Tess is as sweet as it is fascinating. Tess also reveals how the song parallels her personal life in significant ways too. .
Bobby Tomberlin, who is her good friend and co wrote "The Wrong One", had this to say about Tess: "Tess Frizzell has a country music DNA like I’ve never seen but she has found herself musically and is carrying on a beautiful family tradition with a voice that is so rich with 100% heart in the vocal. Country Music hungry fans need what she has to offer."
We hope you enjoy our conversation with Tess as much as we did. She was very gracious, and candid, and we fell in love with her, as we are sure you will too. We thank Tess for her time, and hope to have her back on the podcast soon.
Hello again Backstory listeners!.. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. Hopefully you all had a great day, and were shown the love you all deserve to get every day of the year! A special shout out to our own moms, Faye and Pat, who are no longer with us physically, but remain forever with us.
In this episode we chat about the season past, which ends with this one. We have had some awesome guests, and spent a few episodes catching you all up on previous guests, which we hope you enjoyed. We will be on hiatus until early June, but will be back with some great new guests and episodes. There are many things happening behind the scenes and we hope to have more news about this in our first episode when we return.
Also In the episode, we also talk with actress Amy Chang. Amy has done a lot of work on TV, having appeared in shows such as Law and Order, and FBI:Most Wanted. She also has appeared in many movies, and currently has a new movie out called “In a New York Minute”. Amy talks about the film, and her path from a young girl living in Kansas, to heading off to New York to study acting, and some of the struggles and triumphs along the way. We enjoyed talking to Amy, and she gave a great interview, which we thank her for.
We hope you enjoy this episode, and have enjoyed listening to our previous episodes this season. We thank you all for spending time with us, and we will be back “In a NY Minute”with an exciting new season full of great guests, new topics, and a few surprises.
Welcome back, Backstory fans! Tonight marks the end of our series catching up with former guests. It’s been a lot of fun for us, and we have learned some interesting things from our guests thus far.
Tonight is equally amazing as we talk to our friends, actress and actor Kristen Renton and Rick Cosnett. Kristen reveals many new things, such as where she is living now, and what she’s been up to recently. The pandemic certainly provided many challenges and opportunities for her. Rick also shares some pretty cool things that he has been up to recently, a future project, and some great stories from his youth that you might not get to hear anywhere else.
It was a pleasure to talk to Rick and Kristen again, and we can’t think of 2 better guests to end this series of podcasts with. We thank them both for thier time, and willingness to be open in thier answers to our questions. We know you will enjoy catching up with them as much as we did.
Welcome Backstory fans! This episode is a second a series of episodes we recorded recently with some of our more well known guests. Join us for a chat with singer, songwriter, and musician Pamela Hopkins, and later in the episode, actor Kate Amundsen. Each of these amazingly talented women give updates on what they have been up to since we last spoke, Whether it be winning an award, acting in an upcoming movie, or entertains the troops in Alaska, or performing on a cruise ship in Scandinavia, these 2 ladies are continuing to keep very busy. We enjoyed catching up with these two interesting guests, and hope you enjoy the episode!
Hello again Backstory fans! This episode continues a series of episodes we recorded recently with some of our previous guests. Join us for a chat with actor Bill Allen, and later in the episode, actor and comedian Preston Taylor. both of these interesting guests give updates on what they have been up to of late, as well as how they navigated their way through the pandemic. Both are very busy these days with various projects, and are anxious to get back to shooting movies and performing, now that Covid restrictions had largely been, or are being lifted. We enjoyed catching up with these 2 fun guests, and hope you enjoy the episode!
Welcome to Part 2 of our Catching Up episodes, where we chat with some of our former guests to see what they have been up to since we last talked. This weeks guests provided lots of great updates and even a few surprises. It was alot of fun catching up, and we hope you all enjoy this episode.
This weeks guests are: Kim Hammons Minton, owner of The Ugly Mug Coffee Shop in Barbourville, KY, Actor and future architect Drew Clavin Farmer, One of our favorite humans, Masyn Mitchell, Our friend Tamara Henson, owner of Tattoos By Tamara, also in Barbourville KY, and lastly, we give an update about a very special woman who was the subject of a previous podcast, the amazing Granny Opal.
Hello Backstory fans! This is the first in a series of episodes where we talk with some of our former guests to see what they have been up to. We have had some requests to talk to various people on the podcast to see what they have been up to since we last spoke. This is an interesting episode with lots of twists and turns. We were surprised at some of the things we found out, and it shows that life isn't always so predictable. While there are certainly constants in each of the guests lives, many things have changed, which goes to show that we all evolve over time in lots of different ways, both big and small.
This weeks guests are Corri Taylor, Jeremy Bryant, Johnathan Stephens, and Dean Whitaker. We thank all of these great guests for their time, and sharing their stories with us. (Note: Some of the recordings were edited for time, and some were cut short by technical issues during recording. We apologize in advance.)
Hello again Backstory fans! This week marks 2 years since we started Backstory Sessions, and we are foever grateful to our awesome listeners, as well as our amazing guests. We thank you all for making this podcast a passion project for us.
Our guests on this episode are our friend Dr. Cheryl, who joined us on a previous episode ("A Good Approach") to chat about the topic of obesity, and also Tesa Edge, who is a life coach at Dr. Cheryl's practice. We talk with these knowledgeable ladies about some of the myths surrounding weight loss, which, as you probably know is a maze of misinformation, partial truths, and money making scams. It is a very interesting episode, where they dispel some of the misinformation out there about a range of different topic related to weight loss. If you want to know how much water you should be drinking daily, or if Crunchberries can be considered a fruit, this episode will tell you. Dr. Cheryl and Tesa share some of the science and numbers involved in weight loss, as well as things that they do to help the clients they work with daily. We are so happy to have Dr. Cheryl back, and to have Tesa join us for this fun and informative episode.
A very special episode with the amazing country music icon, Jeannie Seely. Jeannie is just the nicest person to talk to, and we are honored to have her as our guest for this really fun chat. She tells us about her roots in music, how she ended up in Nashville by way of California, and shares many great stories about meeting and working with various artists, and some of her most enduring friendships. Jeannie shares with us the story of purchasing her first car, to appearing on the Opry stage somewhere just shy of 3000 times and much much more. A mutual friend, former podcast guest, and one of Jeannie's cowriting partners, the equally talented and interesting Bobby Tomberlin, commented to us recently, "Jeannie is such a treasure." We agree wholeheartedly. Thank you to Jeannie for her time, and graciousness. We know you will enjoy this great episode. Jeannie's Bio (edited): Jeannie Seely will celebrate 55 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Sept 16, 2022. Her recent album, "An American Classic", was released by Curb Records and produced by Don Cusic. The album includes collaborations with Bill Anderson, Rhonda Vincent, Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, The Whites, Vince Gill and more. The project includes her duet with Willie Nelson, “Not A Dry Eye In The House”, is currently at radio and was previously released digitally on her 80th birthday. Jeannie has achieved chart topping songs as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album “The Seely Style” to her most recent self–produced album, “Written In Song,” a CD project with 14 tracks all co-written or self-penned by Seely and recorded by Country Music Hall of Famers and Country music legends; Ernest Tubb, Dottie West, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Faron Young, Jack Greene, Little Jimmy Dickens, Chris LeDoux, Ray Price and more. Jeannie’s recordings have spanned six decades and provided enjoyment to country music fans all around the world. Many of the songs were recorded by Hall of Fame members. Jeannie earned a Grammy for her recording of “Don’t Touch Me” in 1967. Seely is a weekly on-air host on SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, where she shares personal memories and fun stories about the songs she spins. 2018 Seely was honored to receive recognition and a star on the famed Music City Walk of Fame and recognized for ranking #2 in Billboard’s Top TV Songs Chart for January 2018 for her song “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand),” written in 1964 and recorded by Irma Thomas.
Early in her career, Jeannie’s deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul”– a title that’s still used today. Jeannie’s biggest dream came true when she was inducted as a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. A country music legend and trailblazer, her perseverance over many years earned Seely the honor of being the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry and is credited for changing the image of Opry by being the first to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry stage. Jeannie works tirelessly behind the scenes in the music industry on behalf of fellow artists and musicians. Known for her quick wit and humor, she documented some of her 'sayings” in her book, Pieces Of A Puzzled Mind, which is a unique collection of witticisms. Jeannie Seely has also starred in several major stage productions.
Welcome to another great episode! Cat and our guest co-host, Christie Connolly, who is the Associate Professor of Theater at Union College in Barbourville, KY. Christie is a previous guest on the podcast, and has worked with us on a few different projects. Its always a pleasure to work with her. They chat with Wes Miller, who wrote and directed "A Day To Die", starring Bruce Willis, Kevin Dillon, and Frank Grillo. Wes talks about his upbringing in one of the rougher parts of Memphis, TN, and how a few people in his life changed the path he was on, which led him to law school, and later into the film industry. It is a very interesting backstory that we know you will enjoy. We thank Wes for sharing his inspiring story, and Christie for sharing cohosting duties for this episode.
Wes Miller Bio:
WES MILLER (Director / Writer / Producer) is an upcoming film-making powerhouse, with a dedication to exploring the ongoing social and cultural problems in America. He specializes in exploring pulpy slices of Americana violence through the eyes of flawed characters. Miller was raised in Memphis, TN, where he was a three sport athlete. He attended college at Lambuth University (now University of Memphis-Lambuth) and was an All Conference cornerback. His life’s journey next took him to law school. After raising his son as a single father and graduating towards the top of his law school class, Miller worked as a civil rights trial lawyer and completely left the practice of law in 2015 and began completely honing his skills as a visual storyteller. His 2016 release, Prayer Never Fails was nominated for awards at several festivals including the Long Beach International Film Festival. His 2018 release, River Runs Red starring Taye Diggs, George Lopez and John Cusack has won numerous awards including Best Dramatic Film at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival. His next film, the western, Hell on the Border starring David Gyasi, Ron Perlman and Frank Grillo screened at multiple film festivals and for multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Miller was also awarded Best Director of an Independent Film in 2020 at the Hollywood & African Prestigious Awards (HAPA) for his 2019 film release Atone. Miller has developed an exciting body of work in a short time and continues to deliver films that are commercial, socially relevant and impactful, that challenge both the eye and the mind.
Welcome Backstory fans! We have another awesome episode for you this week. We chat with the Grammy award winning country artist, John Berry! John tells us about the stories behind some of his great songs, how he got started in music, and what song changed his life, among other topics. He details some of the struggles he has endured on his path, and the genesis of his newest album, “Find My Joy”. We are honored to have the opportunity to talk with John, and share his stories with you all, and think you will find them interesting, as well as inspiring.
John’s Bio:
John Edward Berry (born September 14, 1959) is an American country music artist. Active as a recording artist since 1979, he has recorded more than 20 studio albums, including one platinum album and two gold albums. In his career, Berry has also charted 19 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including the Number One single "Your Love Amazes Me" from 1994 and six additional Top 10 hits: "What's In It for Me," "You and Only You," "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye," "I Think About It All the Time," "Change My Mind," and "She's Taken a Shine."
Hello again Backstory fans! We have another really interesting episode for you tonight! This one starts off with the introduction of our special guest host, Corri Taylor. Having been a guest on the podcast twice before, she agreed to guest host this episode with us, which we appreciate very much. Corri gives us a quick update on what she has been up to recently, and we think you will find it very surprising.
We then move into the main part of this episode, where we all sit down with David Leathers, owner of Foodsmith. David has spent many years as a chef, teacher, innovator, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, who, like many in the food service industry, was affected by the Covid pandemic. Never one lacking for new ideas, David came up with the concept of Foodsmith, which he advertises as a mobile dining experience. David essentially brings an entire high end restaurant to your house, and prepares and serves you a fantastic meal inside his custom built mobile kitchen and dining facility. We chat about the concept, the building of the structure, logistics of laying out the space, and the million other details that go into this project. David shares his drive and passion for preparing interesting dishes, and providing his guests with an unforgettable experience with Foodsmith. We think you will enjoy this interesting and fun episode, and go away wanting to have David bring Foodsmith to your house as much as we do. We thank David and Corri for their time with us.
Welcome Backstory fans!..In this episode we talk to our friend Mike Tillbrook. Mike is a member of our Backstory Sessions group on Facebook, and he joins us to talk about how he met his good friend Margie, while playing trivia in a small town in NY. Its is a chance meeting that has grown into a mutual respect and fondness for each other. Both have said the other came along in thier lives just when they needed them the most. Mike also talks about a variety of other interests, such as cooking, beer making, and punk rock, to name a few. We originally invited him to be on the podcast to share his story about meeting Margie, which he does relay here, but we veered off topic a bit and got more of Mike’s backstory, which we found to be pretty interesting as well. We hope you enjoy this fun episode!
In this episode we chat with author Jeff Rasley about his newest book, "A Pickleball Soap Opera: Love, Murder, and Pickleball", which is his 13th book. As you may recall, Jeff is a previous guest on the podcast from way back in season 1 or 2 where we talked with him about his many travel experiences. Jeff talks about a variety of topics including the origins of Pickleball, his inspiration for writing this book, his experiences as a pickleball player, and many other things related to his writing process, publishing company, future projects and the like. It is always a pleasure to talk to such a creative and knowledgeable person as Jeff, and we think you will find this an interesting episode, which we think you will enjoy.
Rather than putting Jeff's very lengthy Bio here, we invite you the head over to his website at www.jeffreyrasley.com to find out more about him.
Hey there Backstory fans! Welcome to another great episode. This week we have an awesome guest in actor Rory Ross, who appears in the THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT, the Star Wars series chronicling the adventures of the legendary Bounty Hunter is now showing on Disney+. Rory is also in the upcoming OBI-WAN KENOBI, plays one of Boba’s trusted Tusken Raider allies. Find out how Rory's first experience watching Star Wars led to a life long path that led him to his current roles. We also find out how a chicken figures into this story of Rory's career, his secret celebrity crush, a story of multi colored Mohawk, and what the future holds for our new friend. See if you can figure out the huge blunder Matt made in asking a question. (face palm).
Rory Ross Bio:
Rory Ross was born near Harrison, AR on June 11, 1991. He is the firstborn of five and has four wonderful step-sisters. Growing up in Lockridge, IA, he decided the farming life was not for him & took off to Seattle, Washington in 2006 to form his own path. From there he began his high school academics at Auburn Adventist Academy and graduated with High Honors along with numerous academic awards. He received a scholarship to Walla Walla University, where he completed his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business in 2014 & soon afterward began his pursuit of acting. Since then, Rory has been featured on Linkin Park's Music Video: Heavy, The Librarians, New Girl, & JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald, playing Lee Harvey Oswald. He is now a part of Disney+'s Star Wars Universe.ry's Bio:
In this episode we shift gears a bit, and bring you the story of Charles Myrick. Charles has struggled with his weight for a very long time, and decided to have surgery to help him overcome his obesity, which was limiting his life in many ways. In this very candid interview, Charles details his path to and from his highest weight of 650 lbs. We discuss his mindset, what lead to his weight gain, perceptions of his family and friends, and what led up to his decision to get the surgery. He details what he did leading up to the surgery, and what life has been like since, and what he is doing to ensure his ongoing success. Charles has lost somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 lbs, which has changed his life in many ways. We wish him the best on his journey, and thank him for being so open and willing to share his story. We hope you enjoy this revealing episode, and find it helpful. We recorded this on location in Cat's van, so you may hear traffic going by...
In addition to the episode with Charles Myrick, we decided to release a companion episode. In this one, we present a non surgical approach to overcoming obesity. Dr. Cheryl Sarmiento talks with us about her interesting approach to treating the whole person rather than a piecemeal way of current healthcare. She gives a huge amount of facts and figures, as well as what things she sees in her patients, and their struggles with obesity. the volume of information and the many different areas we touched on in this episode were only the tip of the iceberg. so much so, that we invited Dr. Cheryl to come back in the near future to do another one, which she graciously agreed to. We thank Dr. Cheryl for her time, and all the info provided,
Welcome to another..umm..crazy episode.. During part of the recording of this one, Cat and I were in a parking lot, talking about our connection to one of the members of the band County Wide, the subject of this weeks podcast. We were surprised to see 2 police cars show up, and, well, we reveal what happens in the beginning part of the episode.. We reveal how we came to meet the keyboard player of County Wide, and then go on to talk to the drummer of the band, Travis Clem. The actual recording with Travis took place at the beginning of one of the recent snowstorms here in Kentucky, with Travis sitting in his truck, watching the snow pile up. We talk about the evolution of the band, some of the memorable shows the band has done, and many more topics in this fun and interesting episode. Travis reveals who is the best looking, funny moments on stage, the bands first gig, opening for Chris Stapleton, and many other great stories. During the recording, Cat dropped off the call, leaving me to finish the interview, but unfortunately, I didn't any questions prepared...lol. Travis was great about everything, and we enjoyed talking to him, and learning about the band very much. We hope you enjoy this fun episode.
Welcome back!.. We begin Season 5 with a Cat and Matt episode, taking about the upcoming season, and reviewing some highlights of Season 4. We also share a few different stories about some recent happenings, including Matt’s experience with buying a new phone, and the mysterious appearance of a chicken. Cat decides to learn Danish, maybe, and we talk about books and plays we are working on. . We hope you enjoy this fun, and at times silly episode.
Hello Backstory Fans! Well, This episode marks the end of a looong season 4 for Cat and I. We put out alot of episodes, and talked to many amazing guests. We are happy you have listened to our interviews, and hope you have enjoyed them. We have alot of fun recording with our guests, as well as working with each other. We will be taking a few weeks off to relax a bit, and will return on January 16th with our first new episode of 2022. Be sure to check out our Backstory Sessions Facebook page for some fun contests where you can win a couple cool prizes during our hiatus. We thank you our listeners, and all of our guests for allowing us to bring you the stories and topics we find so fascinating. We would like to wish you all Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!
Our guest this week is singer songwriter Buck Ford. Buck agreed to take time out of his very busy schedule to chat with us about his roots in country music, and has an interesting backstory about how he transitioned from a pro motocross rider to putting a band together to recording and playing alongside some of the biggest names in country music. On the day of our recording, he was getting ready to play a sold out show in his hometown in California to showcase his his 6th album, due out in January. His latest single, "Hearts Gonna Break" is available now. We thank Buck for the chance to sit down and chat, and he gives us some some great insight into his career, how his song ideas evolve, and where he is headed next.
Buck's Bio:
Nashville recording artist Buck Ford focuses on keeping that authentic country sound mixed in with his modern style edginess. Bucks influences consist of George Strait, Haggard, Mark Chesnutt, Daryle Singletary, Keith Whitley just to name a few. Buck and his band pride themselves on the fact that their performances “bring back to life” that authentic country sound with an edgy modern new flavor.
Buck began his story as a professional motocross racer, riding the circuit for over a decade. He received a full ride endorsement with a Honda team through the West Coast Super Cross Series in 2009. He placed his riding career on hold to pursue his love and passion for country music. Despite his dedication and talent in the professional motocross scene, his heart has always been in country music. Buck is now headlining his own shows playing his own music all over the states as well as internationally. Buck and his hometown band have been successfully playing for over a decade now and Buck has 5 Nashville records under his belt. Buck has performed from major stage concert venues to fairs, festivals, rodeos, clubs, private events, weddings, and corporate events. He and the band have shared the stage with so many of the big names. Daryle Singletary, Jason Micheal Carrol, Steve Azar, Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, Chris Young, Wynonna Judd, Steel Magnolias, Ty Herdon, Cody Johnson, John Michael Montgomery, Aaron Tippin, Jon Pardi, Arron Watson, Clint Black, Wade Hayes, Dustin Lynch and many times with Mark Chestnut. Buck has been able to combine the creative heart of country music with the values learned from his motocross endeavors, of dedication, discipline and perseverance.
Welcome BackStory fans! Join us for a special episode with singer, songwriter and producer, Frank Myers. Frank has written many #1 hits that we have all heard and love, and have been recorded by some of the biggest names in country music, as well as other genres. He talks about some of the backstories behind his biggest hits, his start in the business, and advice for those looking to break into the music business. Frank's new single, titled " I Wish Every Day Could Be Christmas" is available now, just in time for the holiday season, and he gives us some insight into his writing process for this song, We hope you enjoy this really interesting episode with an equally interesting guest. We thank Frank for his time spent with us.
Frank's Bio:
Frank J Myers is from Dayton, Ohio. He moved to Nashville in 1981. Frank got his start in Nashville as band leader, road manager and lead guitarist for Eddy Raven in 1981 and worked with Eddy for nine years. It was with Eddy that Frank started writing, playing and co-producing sessions. They had two number ones, five number twos and three top tens. Songs such as “I Got Mexico,” “Bayou Boys,” “You Should’ve Been Gone By Now,” “Sometimes A Lady” and many others. It was in 1982 though, that Frank had his first single (a song he wrote by himself) with “You and I” for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle which stayed number one: four weeks country, number two for six weeks AC and number six for four weeks Pop. It was during his time with Eddy Raven that Frank met Gary Baker. They had their first number one together in 1993 with “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. Gary and Frank recorded one album for MCG/Curb Records as Baker & Myers and were three time nominees for Duo Of The Year at the ACM’s and CMA’s. Their greatest accomplishment as writers together came when John Michael Montgomery recorded “I Swear” which was number one for four weeks on the Country charts. The song was then recorded by All 4 One and went to number one on the pop charts and stayed there for 11 weeks. Since then, “I Swear” has won many awards, including: American Songwriter Magazine Pop, AC, R&B, Country and Overall Song of the year. Pop, R&B, Country and Overall Songwriters of the year. 1st Annual Country Radio Awards Single and Song of the year, C.M.A. Awards for Single of the year, Song of the year nomination, Grammy Awards for Country song of the year, Best R&B Vocal and Song of the year nomination, A.C.M. Awards for Single and Song of the year, N.S.A.I. Award for Country, Pop, and AC Song of the year A.S.C.A.P. Award for Country, Pop and R&B Song of the Year Billboard Magazine Awards #1 song of 1994, Jukebox Award for 1994 Song and Songwriters of the Year and International Song Of The Years Awards for Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and China. Frank also co-wrote “I’m Already There” the seven-week number one smash by Lonestar, which was nominated for a Grammy and CMA Song and Single Of The Year.
His single “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar is the first record in R&R history to go to #1 fall to number #2 for 6 weeks and go back to #1. Frank’s latest #1 was “Tomorrow” by Chris Young which was also nominated for ACM Single of the Year. Frank has had songs recorded by over 50 Country and Pop Artists, He has had 12 number ones and 20 top tens and is a 2021 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominee. Frank’s Artist co-writes and Productions include Kenny Loggins, Richie McDonald, Lonestar, Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, All 4 One, Pam Tillis, The Gatlins, Andy Griggs, Eddy Raven, John Rich, Dave Fenley, Angie Keilhauer and many others
Welcome Backstory fans! In this episode we are chatting with actress Kristen Renton! Kristen has a long long list of film and TV credits on her resume. Some highlights include Sons of Anarchy, Days of Our Lives, The OC, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, along with many others. We chat about Kristen’s backstory into acting, and some of her earlier roles. Her new film, The Crickets Dance, is out now. This interview took place a few weeks ago, right as the film was being released. We chat with Kristen about the films origins, working on the film, and many topics related to this really interesting production. We also talk about Kristen’s fascination with the paranormal, her personal experiences with seeing ghosts, and her thoughts on living with one for a time. Kristen is also deeply involved in animal rescue and we talk about a few of her encounters performing rescues as well. This episode is wide ranging, and fun, and gives you a good glimpse into the life of this multi-talented actress. We thank Kristen for her time spent sharing her stories with us, and hope you enjoy the episode as much as we do.
Hello Backstory listeners! Our latest episode is with our guest, actor and writer Michael DeVorzon, who co-stars in the new movie "Deadlock", which arrives in theaters on Fri, Decemeber 3rd. Bruce Willis stars. Michael talks with us about growing up in California, the son of well known parents, and recounts a funny story meeting Sylvester Stallone after seeing Rocky. He reveals what is was like to work on the hit show "Melrose Place" first behind the scenes, and later in front of the camera, and his choice between working on a movie, or a tv show. We also chat about a variety of topics including Michael's current run of 8 movie roles in the past 2 years, how he approaches a role, and prepares for it, given the time he has. All in all its an interesting and candid interview, and Michael the gracious guest for spending time with us. We thank him for this, and look forward updating you on future projects he is involved in.
Michael's IMDB Bio:
Michael DeVorzon was born in Los Angeles. He's the son of Grammy winning and Academy Award nominated songwriter, composer Barry DeVorzon and Jelinda DeVorzon, a model and philanthropist. His paternal grandfather, Jules DeVorzon was a singer, violinist best known as a member of Rudy Vallée and the Connecticut Yankees. Michael's father is of Russian descent and his mother of English descent. Michael started acting on the stage as a youngster and later on got a job working in production on the television show "Melrose Place." After three years in production, he started working in front of the camera. Michael's experience covers a wide range of roles in Films, TV and Commercials. His film credits include "Fast and Fierce: Death Race", "Her Deadly Groom", "Producer Sam", "Any Day" and the NBC movie "Submerged" which was filmed at Cinecittà studios in Rome and on location on the island of Malta. TV credits include "Charmed", "Beverly Hills 90210", "Passions", "Son Of A Beach" and "Melrose Place" He's also well known as the actor in the long running national commercial for "ZipRecruiter" which on YouTube alone garnered 16 million views. DeVorzon is hard at work on the development of three feature films he co-wrote and will produce as well as a television series he co-wrote.
Welcome back! About a month ago, we recorded this episode to air sometime in the past 2 weeks or so. We sat down with therapist Aaron Stevens again, to talk about anger and anxiety before the holiday season began. Aaron was previously on the podcast to talk about depression in the episode titled, "A Bit Blue". As luck would have it, the podcast gods intervened and messed up our plans. About 3/4 through recording, the equipment took a vacation, and stopped working. This created anxiety and anger for us, but, such is life in the high pressure world of podcasting. We tried to work out a time with Aaron to rerecord what we lost, but were unable to set it up. We apologize to Aaron, and to you, our listeners. We did want to get this episode out in time for shopping the black Friday sales, if you decide to venture out. Hopefully, it will prove helpful in managing your stress levels. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping to you all!
Welcome to another great episode..In this one we talk to actor Max Casella. Max has had a long and interesting career, and chats with us about his path to his current project in this entertaining albeit shorter episode. He talks about his somewhat, by some standards, unconventional upbringing, learning the ropes at an off Broadway theater, landing the role of Vinnie on Doogie Howser, and a long list of other topics. Max has an impressive list of acting and voice credits in his resume, including plays, TV, film, animation, and even computer games. He has worked with a virtual who’s who in the acting world during his career, has appeared in many easily recognizable films and tv shows. His current film, directed by Onur Tukel, is titled “Tes Yeux Mourants/That Cold Dead Look in Your Eyes”, which was recently released. In interviewing our guests, sometimes we get really different and interesting backstories that veer off the norm. As you will see in Max’s story, he grew up with parents who were somewhat unconventional. This isn’t an advantage or disadvantage, but it is certainly not how we imagined it to be when we started the interview. To his credit, Max is very, for lack of a better term, real, and we really enjoyed talking to him and getting his unique perspectives on things. There is some profanity in this interview, but he doesn’t sound different than the people Matt has known from his time living in and around NYC for whom using profanity is elevated to an art form. It was a pleasure speaking with Max, and we truly hope to revisit our conversation with him at a later date.
In this episode, we chat with actor Drew Clavin Farmer. Drew is 12 yrs old, and from BarbourvIlle, Ky. He has acted in the new reboot of The Wonder Years, and will be appearing in the new Walton Family Christmas, which is being released this coming week, as well as a second Christmas movie, also out this week, to name a few projects. He is an interesting young man with dreams of landing a role on the hit series Stranger Things. He has a knack for predicting school cancellations, and can be found on YouTube in his own Drew’s News periodically. His parents have supported his desire to act to the point of splitting the families time between southern Kentucky, and the Atlanta area so that Drew can attend auditions, and act when he lands a role. Drew is continually seeking larger roles, but remains grounded in reality about his acting aspirations. He tells us he wants to study architecture in the future, as well as continue to act. We enjoyed our chat with him and wish him much success in the future.
Welcome Backstory fans! Join us tonight for a quick chat with Rachel Barclay, writer and one of the stars of "Human Telegraphs". This series recently won "Best Web Series" at the New York International Film Awards, and premieres on YouTube on November 15th. Rachel was getting ready for the first live audience screening of the pilot in New York immediately after the interview, so we kept it brief. In addition to talking about the inspiration for the series, she talks about the process of getting the series started, some of the issues of filming during the pandemic, and how life has changed for many of the people involved with the project since the pilot was filmed. Rachel is an engaging, and fun guest with a contagious excitement, who we really enjoyed talking to, and we congratulate her and the cast and crew for their "Best Web Series" award. We are happy to bring you this great episode with Rachel, right before the premiere of Human Telegraphs.
We are back with another episode of our series "3 Chord Truths". In this episode, we talk with musician, songwriter, and producer, JP Pennington from the band Exile. JP shares stories from the band's almost 60 year journey from a local small club cover band to the top of the Billboard charts, as well as his personal stories of his roots in Kentucky. Exile currently has a new Christmas album with 8 new original songs coming out, as a follow up to last year's release of thier Christmas song "Kid at Heart"(also included) and are touring in support of it this holiday season. We thank JP for taking time to sit down with us and sharing his and the band's really interesting stories. We thoroughly enjoyed recording this episode, and hope you all will enjoy listening as well.
Exile Bio (from their website www.exile.biz ):
On September 30, 1978, the award-winning band who had initially set out to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky back in 1963, skyrocketed to world-wide fame with their multi-week chart-topper “Kiss You All Over.” In fact, it made Billboard’s Year End Hot 100 Singles of 1978 (Top 5) and later placed in Billboard’s The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time (Top 10) category. The iconic song has been showcased in feature films such as “Happy Gilmore,” “Employee of the Month,” “Zookeeper, “Wildhogs,” and is played in it’s entirety at the end of the 7th episode of “Mindhunter” currently available as a Netflix original.
In the early 1980’s, Exile began to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts Exile had 10 number one singles including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance” and “She’s A Miracle.” The band wrote their own songs, played on all their recordings and also proved to be prolific songwriters composing hits for other artists such as Alabama, Restless Heart, Engelbert Humperdinck, Huey Lewis, Diamond Rio, Janie Fricke and many more. During this country phase of their career, Exile received 11 nominations including Vocal Group of The Year and Best Instrumental Performance for the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards.
The 5 original Exile members re-formed in 2008 with J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman. The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame members continue to perform and have appeared over 100 times on the Grand Ole Opry. The band has sold over 8 million records worldwide, with three Gold albums. Exile has lasted longer than most marriages.
Happy Halloween everyone! Welcome to this new episode. We are sitting down with author, editor and artist John Patrick Robbins. John's new book, "Death, Rattle, and Roll" has just been released. We talk about the origins of the book, subject matter in the book, and a variety of other topics with him. Dark humor, and dark places he has been are discussed, and are seem at odds with John's quick wit, business sense, love of the ocean, and his own sense of humor. He is engaging and funny, and has great stories and advice for would be authors. Having written many books, serving as editor for many magazines, as well as being very involved in different aspects of publishing, John brings a unique perspective to these topics, and we really enjoyed talking with him. We congratulate John on publishing his latest work, and look forward to whats next from this very talented author.
Hi everyone! In this episode we sit down with Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, (among many other titles) Miles Doleac, to talk about his latest movie: Demigod. Miles gives us an interesting perspective of what its like to wear the many hats required to get a film from concept to completion while dealing with the myriad of things that can go wrong and derail production. Coupled with navigating all of this during the height of the Covid pandemic, you realize just how challenging film making can be at times. Miles relays many stories of things that happened during the making of Demigod, and how he and his cast, and crew persevered despite roadblocks they encountered. He details his deep love for Greco-Roman history, potential issues encountered in auditioning for various roles for actors, and many other details on his path in the acting business. Some great insight in this episode, and we hope you enjoy it.
Miles Bio:
Miles Christopher Doleac is an American film and television actor, director, writer and producer. Along with his film career, he is also a singer, songwriter, theater actor, author, and professor. He has had acting roles in several films and television shows since 2011 including Watchmen, Treme, Sleepy Hollow, American Horror Story, Salem, Complications, Roots, and several episodes of the CW's Containment. He also has acting roles in the films The Magnificent Seven and Don't Kill It.
Demigod:
Coming to theatres October 15th and on demand!
Directed by: Miles Doleac Starring: Rachel Nichols, Jeremy London, and Elena Sanchez
Upon the death of her grandfather, a woman and her husband return to her birthplace in Germany's Black Forest, only to find a terrifying secret awaits them.
We are back with a new episode! This one is a bit different, as it deals with a slightly more serious topic than the episodes of late. While not everyone suffers from depression, there are many who may not realize they are depressed to some degree. We wanted to address that sort of thing in this episode We talk with our guest, therapist Aaron Stevens about the signs and symptoms of depression, as well as the things he uses in his counseling to help those diagnosed. As Aaron's bio below shows, he has a long career helping people cope with and overcoming the sometimes crippling effects of depression, as well as a wide array of other mental health issues. We hope you enjoy this interesting and informative talk with Aaron.
Aaron's Bio:
I offer professional counseling services for individuals, couples, and families to help them move beyond problems and find solutions for lasting change. I have over 14 years of hands on experience in the mental health field working with clients of all ages facing a vast array of life problems relating to: Substance abuse, Mental health, Couples and Families, Behavioral and Developmental, Career and Academic issues. If you or your family are experiencing problems and are seeking to be treated by a fully licensed and highly trained professional therapist contact me today for a free consultation. I have spent a great deal of my career working specifically with children, teens and their families addressing various issues from school behavior problems, to grief, trauma and sexual abuse. I have also worked closely with special needs children, their schools and other professionals to meet their unique needs. I offer IN-HOME and ON-SITE counseling services in order to best meet individuals, couples and families where they are most comfortable, or where they are experiencing difficulties. This includes working with schools, teachers, doctors, social workers, foster families, and other members of the community as needed
Its episode 50!!.. We are shocked and amazed to reach this milestone, and cant thank you all enough for your support, encouragement, and comment. In this episode we look back at what our initial thoughts about starting this podcast and what we think we have learned during the process of developing it from our initial vision into what it has become. We reveal the most surprising thing each of us has realized in talking to our guests, and take a spin with the ever popular random question generator again.
Our sincere thanks go out to our listeners for everything. We truly appreciate each one of you. This podcast is one of our passions, and we strive to bring you interesting content and even more interesting guests, and will continue to do so as we evolve and grow. We hope you will remain the loyal listeners we have come to know, and welcome all the new listeners to our Backstory Sessions family. We have many interesting episodes already recorded for you, and many more to come. We hope you will find the future of this podcast and new features we will be introducing you to as exciting as we do.
Thank you,
Cat and Matt
An episode a year or more in the making... We finally got a chance to sit down with our friend Mikey Russell, aka The Sickness, as he is known to some, whose backstory has many interesting twists and turns. Mikey is a member of our Backstory Sessions FB group and also a good friend of ours. He suffers from severe diabetes, has battled cancer, dealt with chemo, and is currently on dialysis for kidney issues. He has dealt with all this and more by keeping a sense of humor about everything, and shares with us how his deep love of music, history, photography, and debating people online helped him through it all. As we recorded this episode, it had been 2 years since his last chemo treatment and he was being tested to see if he could be put list to receive a kidney transplant in the future. He shares with us many stories about his past, some of the people he has met along the way, and reveals some exciting news about the future for him. It is a story about many things in his life, both good and bad, and his resilience in facing what most of us can only imagine. Today is also his birthday, and we hope you will join us in wishing our friend Happy Birthday! and enjoy the episode.
(Note from Matt): Happy Birthday Mikey...ya f@#kn f%&k...your a gook kid, but ya ain’t too f@#kn bright...lol...Love you brother...
We continue with an amazing episode of our series “3 Chord Truths”, where we have been talking to songwriters and musicians, and have been able to sit down with some very interesting personalities, with cool backstories that reveal what it takes to follow the dream of being a success in the music business.
Tonight’s guest is Jack Williams. He has an amazing story that spans many years, and shows that tenacity, talent, and some luck can help create some amazing opportunities. Jack’s list of friends and acquaintances, people he has worked for and with reads as a who’s who from different types of music genres. The Who, Ritchie Havens, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Uriah Heap, the Allman Brothers, Kevin Costner, and many many more are part of Jack’s incredible story. He recounts many of the meetings, and fun he had, as well as some of the sacrifice and pain in the choices he had to make. Jack continues to be involved in writing music and works with a variety of artists, as well as putting out a new album of his own, titled “Halfway to Hell”. We found Jack to be very down to earth, and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with him very much. We know you will find Jacks story as interesting and inspiring as we do.
Halfway To Hell BIO: “When I was a kid, I thought I was the only one going through what I went through,” H. Jack Williams says. “Music always helped me connect emotionally. But there’s still a lot of abused kids turned damaged adults in the world today, and I hope this album let’s them know they’re not alone.” For Williams (his friends know him as Jack), it’s a characteristically candid statement from the veteran-songwriter-turned-recording-artist who’s experiencing one of the most surprising second acts in music. And with his debut album Halfway To Hell, Jack Williams now delivers a sonically startling testament to trauma and survival that sounds – and stings – like no other. The 10-songs on Halfway To Hell are all co-written by Williams – with the exception of his haunting take on the standard ‘What A Wonderful World’ – including two co-written with Kevin Costner and directly address Jack’s broken past and road to recovery. “I’m not afraid to say how horrific my childhood was,” Jack says. “I’ve had huge anger issues, drug issues, everything issues, and I’m not afraid to confront any of that darkness in these songs.” With producer Adam Box shaping Jack’s graveled vocals into an American Recordings-meets-Nine Inch Nails soundscape, Halfway To Hell simmers with menace, growls in defiance and shimmers with strength. “I’ve been in the music business since ’71,” Williams explains. “So many people still in this game at my age are jaded and bitter, but my heart is still intact. This album is who I am.” To truly understand Williams’ personal journey is to also recognize an unprecedented 50+-year odyssey through Folk, Rock, Southern Rock, Country and beyond. A U.S. Marines Force Recon veteran and trained Escoffier chef, Jack’s one-of-a-kind career includes being mentored by Richie Havens; a ‘70s publishing deal with The Who; as the first in-house songwriter for UK rockers Uriah Heep; landing ‘80s cuts with Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot and Gregg Allman, for whom he co-wrote the hit ‘Just Before The Bullets Fly’; numerous ‘90s tracks for The Oak Ridge Boys; running kitchen teams on research vessels in the Aleutian Islands and Azores as well as supply ships during the Gulf War, for which he earned a Medal of Bravery from President Bush; ‘00s Nashville cuts on the Miracles From Heaven soundtrack and with artists that include Montgomery Gentry, Black Stone Cherry and a Top Ten hit for Canadian artist Aaron Pritchett. Eventually, Jack’s patience for the current scene came to an end. “Three years ago, I was done,” he says. “I didn't want to write any more ‘back of my pickup truck’ bullshit. I figured I’ve had a pretty good career; it’s time to go fishing. But when I started to write and sing what was in my heart, everything began to change.” In more ways than one, Williams had finally found his voice. Always self-conscious of his ragged vocals, Jack started performing new material at Nashville singer/songwriter nights to widespread industry acclaim. He soon got a call from Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, whose band Kevin Costner & Modern West would record two of Jack’s songs – including the Top 20 hit ‘Love Shine’ – and cut four more Jack tracks for 2019’s top-selling Tales From Yellowstone album. Williams was also approached by producer and longtime Brothers Osborne drummer Adam Box to capture Jack’s new direction on record, with the resulting 2020 EP Already Dead leading Film Daily to declare, “Jack Williams is a musical legend.” “People are starving for genuine delivery, and Jack is the real deal,” says producer/programmer/engineer/co-writer Box, who compares William’s unconventional vocal quality to that of Leonard Cohen and Dylan. “His voice is so unique, and anything he sings is sung with conviction. We started this album with lyrics and a blank slate, then approached each track visually. Sometimes the beauty of the song is in the contrast, like with ‘Wonderful World’, but it all comes back to tone. I see this album as a montage of shapes and textures, like cutting up construction paper to make collages. Ultimately, it’s an authentic expression of Jack.”
Back with another episode of “3 Chord Truths”, where we talk with songwriters and musicians, and reveal their motivations as well as their amazing backstories. In this episode, we pull up a chair and chat with songwriter, musician, and actor, Bobby Tomberlin. Bobby’s single “I’ve Lived Country Music” provides the backdrop for this really great discussion with someone who has worked with, met, or is friends with many of the legends of country music, as well as some of today’s artist. His stories are funny, sweet, always entertaining, and provide an amazing view of some of the history of the country music genre, as well as Bobby’s personal connections and many experiences. It was a pleasure speaking with him, and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did making it. We wish to thank Bobby for his time with us talking about his amazing career.
Bobby Tomberlin Bio: Grammy, CMA and ACM nominee Bobby Tomberlin started out in the music business at the age of 11 in his hometown of Luverne, Alabama interviewing legends such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley. Mel Tillis gave Bobby his first publishing contract and for the past 14 years, Bobby has been a staff writer for CURB Records Publishing. Bobby co-wrote the number one country and Top 5 AC single, “One More Day” recorded by Diamond Rio. Bobby also co-authored an inspirational book by the same title. Bobby co-wrote the Top 10 single “A Good Day To Run” with Darryl Worley. Bobby has also had songs recorded by Josh Turner, Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, Rodney Atkins, Joe Nichols, Terri Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens, the Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Diffie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ty Herndon, Lee Greenwood, Chely Wright, Linda Davis, Chris Young, T. G. Sheppard, Eddy Arnold and many others. Some of Bobby’s co-writers include Steve Wariner, Bill Anderson, Mac Davis, Steve Dorff, Phil Everly and Josh Turner. Bobby is one of the singers on the new CMT hit series, “The Singing Bee” Bobby has appeared on numerous other television shows including “Opry Backstage” and “The Bad Girls Club” on the Oxygen Network, where he starred in an episode. Bobby makes numerous live appearances every year across the country and is a featured guest on the Steve Dorff and Friends Songwriter Show.
We are back with Part 3 of our interview series, 3 Chord Truths, featuring another very talented guest. We have been bringing you guests from different genres and presenting different stories of success in the music, as well as what it takes to achieve the success our guests have achieved thus far,
Our guest this week is Frank Moka. Frank started as a percussionist at a very young age, spent his youth learning to play, and later went to college to study music theory. He is now the drummer for acclaimed singer, actress, and record producer, Erykah Badu. He also has a "small" 17 pc orchestra project, with a new single out, and is working on an album with the orchestra, along with continuing to tour with Erykah. We recorded this interview with Frank the night before their show in Louisville, KY. Frank's drive and passion for what he does cuts through in his retelling of his youth, career, as well as talking about future projects. We were honored to get a chance to chat with Frank, and really enjoyed our time with him.
We will be bringing you a few more exciting artists with some amazing stories in the weeks to come. We hope you enjoy this great episode with the very interesting, talented, and engaging Frank Moka as well.
Another episode where we talk about a few different topics near and dear to us,, give some updates on various projects we have going on, talk about some different guests and what they are up to, and some future changes coming to Backstory Sessions. We include some of the history of how we started Level 11 Ventures which is the parent company of Backstory Sessions, a mishap we discovered we made with Backstory Sessions, and what goes into getting the podcast recorded each week. Gearing up for some exciting changes and new things you will see shortly that we are excited to talk about. We also forget a few things, as we tend to do when we record on the spur of the moment like this. Apologies to those whose names we have forgotten or gotten wrong, as iy was not intentional....lol.
In this episode we begin another series of podcasts on what it might take to own your own business. Many people are reassessing their priorities and looking for ways to either supplement or replace an income, and exploring starting a business from home, or start a business they always wanted to. We decided talk to various business owners about what it takes to start and run your own business, what some of the drawbacks are, and have them share advice they have for budding entrepreneurs. In future episodes in this series, we will be bringing you discussions with owners of various sized businesses who have found success, and weathered the storm of the million details that must be sorted out in order to achieve that success. We hope you find these podcasts informative, entertaining and helpful, and they give you some insight of how to navigate the minefields you might have to walk through on the path to working for yourself.
Our guests this week are Kim Hammons Minton, and Isaac Abner. Kim owns a thriving coffee shop in Barbourville, KY called "The Ugly Mug", and has been in business for 7 years there. Isaac started "Cumberland River Photo", a video and photography business (also based in Barbourville), with his long time friend, Chris. Both have interesting backstories of how their businesses came to be, challenges they faced during start up, and things they deal with on a daily basis, as well as the effect of Covid on their businesses. We touch on business financing, the role of social media, a recent wedding, and a range of other topics, including what the future may hold for each. Both Kim and Isaac have had different paths to business ownership, but share a similar drive and passion for what they do, which is necessary to push them through the difficult days. We recorded this episode on location at "The Ugly Mug", and thank Kim and Isaac for joining us for this fun and interesting chat and sharing their backstories.
In this episode we chat with actor Bill Allen. Bill is from just over the Kentucky border in Jellico, Tennesee. This also where Cat was born and lived before ultimately settling in KY. We chat with Bill about a variety of film and TV projects he has worked on, his sports prowess, and involvement with various charities in his area. He provides some interesting insight into his career as an actor, and his community involvement. He talks about his latest project below, and we hope you enjoy this wide ranging episode: Bill Allen appeared on the big screen once again as he portrayed the lead burglar in CNBC TV series “Super Heists” pilot episode called “All the President’s Money” Monday night.
Allen, portrayed Amil Dinsio, an infamous burglar who, in collaboration with others, allegedly stole over $12 million of President Richard Nixon’s money from a bank vault in Laguna Niguel, California.
“It is the story of these guys out of Ohio that get a tip from a large mob boss. Nixon had a large slush fund in a bank in California, allegedly, and they go to do this bank robbery of over $30,000,000,” said Allen as he described the episode.
Dinsio and his partners pulled off one of the largest bank heists in American history. The burglary’s investigation by the FBI resulted in the second largest man hunt since John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
“Super Heists” is not the first series in which Allen has appeared. He has also played roles in “Snapped”, “American Detective”, “The Heist”, “Sins of the City”, “Killer Couples” and more.
In this episode we talk with model, actress, and producer: the amazing Kate Amundsen. Kate has had a long career in modeling, and moved further into acting as a way to challenge herself in different ways, and later into producing as a further challenge. Kate shares with us her motivations, backstories, and insights into the making of the movie "Donna: Stronger Than Pretty", which is based on a true story, and about many other entertaining stories from her life. In addition, find out about her interest in Judy Garland, and what's coming in the near future from Kate. We thank her for coming by to chat with us, and hope you enjoy this really interesting episode.
Kate's Bio:
Kate Amundsen is an actress and model born and partly raised in Los Angeles. She got her start in the mountains of Utah and New Mexico where she starred in the classic homemade VHS videos as Barry Springer- the epic spin off of the classic Jerry Springer, and the rest is history! Kate convinced her parents to move back to LA at 13 and it quickly worked out in her favor. She has been fortunate enough to travel the world for work, starring and working alongside some of the best in the biz such as Roman Coppola, Amy Poehler and Julia Roberts to name a few. Kate is proud to have landed the leading role for the feature film "Donna", in which she has won Best Actress in several film festivals across the country. You can also catch her making appearances on TV shows such as "Shameless", "Ray Donovan" "The Mindy Project, and "Criminal Minds" to name a few. Kate is currently studying with Stuart Rogers at Stuart Rogers Studios.
Welcome to the next in a series of our 3 Chord Truths podcasts where we sit down with a singer/musician, and get insights into their careers, motivation, hopes, and backstories.
Our guest this week is the amazing Pamela Hopkins who we thoroughly enjoyed talking with. She is a great guest who shares with us some interesting insight into the commitment it takes to make it in the music business, following your dreams, and how her family and friends, as well as the community has reacted to her career and successes. We wish her continued success in all she does! See links below for more info about her, merchandise, and videos.
Little Rock, Arkansas native Pamela Hopkins is a powerhouse singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Her first Nashville album of all original music was released in February 1995. She returned to the studio to record her second album/EP project released in October 2018. 2 more singles were released in 2019.
Pamela returned to the studio in early2020, to record her next 4 singles with Off the Row Recording Studio. She plans to release 6 singles this year. Pamela regularly performs in piano bars, on cruise ships and clubs across the US. Pamela's song "Givin' a Damn (Don't Go With My Outfit) recently reached 500,000 Spotify streams!
Website: https://www.Pamelahopkinsmusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelahopkinsmusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCepe2h http://www.Facebook.com/pamelahopkinsmusic
We return to see the crew at Kentucky Creative LLC in Corbin, KY, and sit down with talented local singer and guitar player Brett Wells who was performing an acoustic set at the space. We talk with Brett about his influences, how he got started performing, what his aspirations are, what song he refuses to play, and a long list of other questions in this short, but intriguing episode. This is the first in a series of podcast interviews we will be presenting with different musicians with varied and compelling backstories. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences in Brett's comments, and those of our guest next week, Pamela Hopkins, who is also a musician. A third guest will be announced later. We hope you enjoy this episode, and we thank Brett for taking time to talk with us. As always, Jeremy, Billy, and the rest of the great people at Kentucky Creative LLC were gracious and accommodating hosts for us.
Welcome to another awesome episode! We sit down with the ever fascinating Mika Boorem. Mika has a long list of acting credits in film and tv, has directed, written, and produced, and has worn many other hats in the film industry during her career. She has traveled the world, started a charity (MadaKilonga), and is driven to do interesting things by her passion for her work, in a male dominated industry. We appreciate her coming by to share her amazing stories with us.
Mika's bio:
Mika Boorem is an American actress who has also ventured into directing. She made her debut with a voice role in 2005’s Whisper of the Heart. She next had her first TV role in an episode of Touched by an Angel. She later had roles in the films The Education of Little Tree, Jack Frost and Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her.
At the same time, she also starred as Alissa Amross on the short-lived series The Tom Show. In the 2000s, she had notable roles in the films The Patriot, Along Came a Spider, Hearts in Atlantis, Riding in Cars with Boys, Blue Crush, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. She also played the recurring role of Harley Hetson on Dawson’s Creek. She recently made her feature film directorial debut in 2018’s Hollywood.Con. Some trivia: She has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, is an experienced gymnast, and can speak French.
Hello BackStory Fans! In this episode, we chat with the entertaining actor Coutney Gains, who has appeared in many classic films, such as Children of the Corn, Back to the future, Memphis Belle, and Cant Buy Me Love, to name a few. To date, he has appeared in over 100 movies and tv shows in his 30+ year career. During our chat, Courtney relays stories about how he got started in acting, and some of his experiences on set. He is engaging, funny, and shares some great stories with us. This episode also looks at what it takes to get into the business, which sometimes requires unconventional ways to get noticed , although Courtney advises against some of his approaches, and the importance of being in the right place at the right time, as Courtney was at the beginning of his long and varied career. He is also an accomplished musician and talks about his music projects (Ripple Street, and new solo material), as well as movies coming out soon. We hope you enjoy this fun and really interesting episode, and we thank Courtney for coming by to chat with us.
We are back! Season 4 kicks off with the very talented actor/writer/director Jason Tobias, who talks about baseball, changing plans, his varied acting career, and the new movie "F.E.A.R" out June 15th. We want to thank Jason for stopping by and talking with us, and hope you enjoy this interesting episode. (I apologize for some minor sound issues.)
From Jason's bio:
Jason Tobias is an Actor that has been building credits on popular shows such as: "BETTER THINGS" (FX), "JUSTIFIED" (FX), "FRANKLIN & BASH" (SONY), "THE FOSTERS" (ABC Freeform), "NOTORIOUS" (ABC), "RUSH HOUR" (CBS), "NASHVILLE" (CMT). Additionally, some of his Feature Films include: "DOWNRANGE" (Ryuhei Kitamura), "TERRORDACTYL" (Don Bitters and Geoff Reisner), "The UNRAVELING" (Thomas Jakobsen), "Can't Have You" (Mark A. Altman) and "F.E.A.R." (Geoff Reisner and Jason Tobias).
In 2016, he wrote, produced and starred in: "Star Wars: GENERATIONS" (Don Bitters III) and won for Disney / Lucasfilm at Star Wars Celebration in London. Following up, he wrote, produced and starred in "REBELLION: A Star Wars Story" (Geoff Reisner), for the "Rogue One" (Gareth Edwards) world premiere in Hollywood.
In 2018, he co-founded; 'Action Figure Entertainment', with friend and collaborator; Lucas Solomon. A production company capable of developing, producing and delivering, high concept Film and Television. Together with 'Fort Night Pictures', the two production companies produced the survival/thriller feature film: "F.E.A.R.". Tobias Co-Directed with long time friend and collaborator; Geoff Reisner.
We are back with our "Season 3 Ending" Episode. We talk to Jeremy Bryant from the Kentucky Creative about the origins of this art center in Corbin, KY, where we had our first in person book signing!. It was a fun and interesting day, and we thank everyone at the Kentucky Creative for welcoming us, and hosting our event. We also talk to TK Hash, one of our first book signing customers who dropped by to see us. Later in the day we stopped by to talk with Kiki, owner of the Boardwalk Cafe, also in Corbin, which is housed in a former bank building. They have a diverse art center, book store, and offer coffee and home baked muffins and the like from the cafe, along with hosting open mic nights, and other events.
We look forward to returning to both of these interesting places in the near future and update you on what's happening at both in the future.
We also review the podcasts we had this season, which for us was especially interesting. We are happy with the results of our efforts in bringing you the topics we covered and were honored to talk to all of the great guests and present their stories for you. We give a short glimpse of the future of the podcast, and writing projects to come.
We want to thank you, our awesome listeners for your continued support, and we truly appreciate all your comments, and feedback. We are happy with the growth of the podcast which wouldn't be possible without you.
We will be back in a few weeks to continue with season 4 and have a few new things we will be adding to each episode. We hope you will join us again for another amazing Season to come.
Join us tonight for another great episode with actor Rick Cosnett. He has recently been in the movie "Tu Me Manques" ( French for "you are being missed by me") The film is based on a true story. Rodrigo Bellottâs is the writer and director.
has done television shows and has credits including the Vampire Diaries, and played Eddy on the Flash. He chats with us tonight about all of these roles and much more, such as what role he would love to play, how he got to Hollywood from Zimbabwe, and what its like to meet your favorite actors face to face. This is an interesting episode filled with funny moments and insights into Rick's career. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it.
Tonight we have with us Preston J. Taylor, an American comedian, actor, producer and writer from Gatesville, Texas. Preston started his illustrious career in Los Angeles with a brief appearance as himself on RuPaul’s Drag Race, as part of the pit crew. He also appeared as an outlaw and stuntman in the award-winning short film Valley of the Scorned, as well as, his unbelievable one line, one scene as Keith in Parallels. Preston started his comedy career in 2010 with his first ever live performance at the Palm in West Hollywood. He was fortunate as his second show would be downtown in front of acting and comedic heavyweight Garrett Morris. Preston has since enjoyed the life of traveling as a comic and performing shows mostly in the shadows until now. Before his coming out party with Farm to TV, he performed for years at Hollywood staples such as The Ice House, The World Famous Comedy Store, & Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. Find out what actually happened the first time we talked to Preston. We hope you enjoy this fun episode.
Our guest this week is Lauren Lusby Fernandez. Listen to the episode to find out how she went from “Talkback Barbie” to working for the Secret Service. She also reads a chapter from her book. It is an interesting episode and offers some great advice for those wanting to succeed against long odds.
Lauren's Bio: "I graduated from Virginia Tech with my Political Science: Pre-Law degree. I then went to work for the Secret Service Uniformed Division in Washington, D.C. I trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and the James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC). After leaving the White House, I utilized my Top Secret: SCI/Full Scope Polygraph and accepted a job with a consulting firm in McLean, Virginia working with the Department of State, CIA, National Counterterrorism Center, and other Intelligence communities. I just self-published my first book, "Talk Back Barbie: The Secret Service Edition." It is a comedy about my experience working with the Secret Service as a girly-girl and my diverse resume. My life motto is: "If you trip and fall, laugh first, then get up and keep going! Because the only way you fail is to never get up." Note: Some minor technical issues during recording that could not be overcome easily. We apologize in advance.
In this episode we talk to author Vito Altavilla about his new book "It Began in Brooklyn". He writes about growing up in New York during a simpler time, and shares some very funny stories from his youth. There are many things in his tales that we can all relate to in some way. Having grown up in the New York area some of the people and situations Vito talks about were instantly familiar. You cant be from NY and not be well versed in the art of using profanity, so be forewarned, there is some in this episode. Vito is currently turning the book into a screenplay, and we look forward to seeing the movie of this funny and interesting book in the future.
Another followup episode with 2 guests from last years "Teaching Perspectives" episode. This week, Cat and I chat with Corri Taylor and Johnathan Stephens about weathering the ever-changing storm that teachers have faced this year amid Covid lock downs and restrictions. Find out how both have fared during this trying time, as well as how they both have kept busy during lock downs. It is an interesting episode with 2 of our favorite guests. There is talk of bread, baking, chickens, snails, and more in this wide ranging chat, along with what its like to teach now, and what the future might look like for teaching. We thank Corri and Johnathan for their candor, and openness in sharing their thoughts and experiences.
Back this week with a follow up episode. We sit down with Masyn Mitchell, (aka Madison..haha), who joined us last year on the "Senior Year Interruptus" episode with 2 of her high school classmates. Masyn talks about her freshman year at college in the time of Covid, and the changes and challenges she has gone through along the way. It is really interesting to see how much she has grown in many ways in the last year, and we hope you will enjoy this episode as much as we love having Masyn as a guest. She is very bright, articulate, and thoughtful, and we just love her. We recorded on location at Grateful Ed's in Barbourville, KY, who were gracious hosts, with great food and staff. Big thanks to our friend Corri for the generous gift.
We are back with another episode that is really different and interesting. It recalls the ending days of the Vietnam war and the operation that was undertaken to move thousands of orphans out of the country as the North Vietnamese closed in on Saigon. We talk with Albert Monroe who was an Ar Force load master on one of the planes used to move approx. 130,000 people during the end of the US involvement in the war. Al's plane ferried hundreds of kids out of Vietnam over 3 flights and toward a better life. He has logged over 10,000 flight hours in different aircraft and flew missions in and out of Vietnam and around the world during his long military career. Al's personal stories of what happened during this time in history, and throughout his career is not to be missed. We thank him for his service, and willingness to talk about his experiences of what it was like to be on the ground and in the air during what was clearly a chaotic time, as well as other missions he was involved in.
On the 30th anniversary of Operation Babylift, we give thanks to the brave men and women who made this humanitarian event happen, and say a prayer for those who died in carrying out these flights.
We are excited to be back with another really interesting episode we think you will really enjoy as much as we did recording it. ..
DC The Brain Supreme of Tag Team is half of the ‘90s hip hop duo Tag Team which made the song “Whoomp!” (There It Is)
DC is an expert in the music industry, acting, and voice over. As well as being well versed in SEO, PR, Marketing, Social Media, Fashion Photography and Motivational Speaking. He's also an actor and voice artist with the People Store Agency in Atlanta.
DC is featured in the #1 commercial in the country: Geico’s "SCOOP THERE IT IS". He is full of great stories, experiences and poignant advice for all to grow from. Do not miss this episode. He is a very entertaining and knowledgeable guest. Thank you to Justin J. White (BIO below) for the great work he did in creating the intro for this episode, and to the University of the Cumberlands, and the Lyric Theater and Cultural Arts Center in Lexington. KY (Links below) for helping to sponsor this episode. https://www.lexingtonlyric.com/ https://www.ucumberlands.edu/ BIO: Justin J. White: Age: 36 Kentucky Native, father of 4; currently residing in Reno, Nevada.
An Alum of The University of The Cumberlands and Eastern Kentucky University. 10 year Army veteran with 3 tours to Iraq Poetry and writing were always my favorite things to do. Coming from a musical family, I found my voice at an early age. “Pain is the moment I realized I was human”- J. White
We talk to Kelly Polk, who traveled from Alaska to Atlanta in a used Ford van that here and her friend Travis converted into a camper for the trip. Hear about this interesting undertaking, stories from the road, practical tips, and a range of other topics about traveling around the country with your significant other. Did Travis leave Kelly somewhere?..Or did Kelly push him out of a moving van?..Find out in tonights fun and interesting episode.
In this episode, we talk the Christie Connolly, Professor of Theatre at Union College. Hear about how she incorporates real world connections into her classes and about her social Justice theatre class which she designed. Christie is a fascinating guest with an interesting backstory to share with us. Teaching during the pandemic has been difficult, and Christie has found some interesting ways to keep her students engaged, and motivated during stress inducing times. You can also check out her excellent documentary :
Exit, Screen Left: Theatre Through A Pandemic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FRg-HDIPZQ
Back with another episode. We sit down with Dean Whitaker, a certified Clinical Chaplain, about various topics related to PTSD. Dean has led weekly spirituality groups for Veterans in residential treatment for PTSD and substance dependence. He advocates for all persons who have undergone trauma, doing Soul Care that enables healing, help, and hope. He share some great info on treatment, coping, and recognizing symptoms. It is an interesting and important episode that we hope you enjoy.
We are back with the first episode of what we are calling Season 3. We know you missed us, as we have you all.
Tonight's episode is with the cast and director of Cat's play titled "Gorilla Girl", about an online romance, and the repercussions of the things we tell people about ourselves might be. Its an interesting episode with the director and cast's take on playing the characters, who the real villain is, and what the hope is that the audience will take away from the play.
For those of you who weren't able to attend the Dramatist's Guild play performance Zoom event, Cat has agreed to make the play available to those who would like to read it. Please contact her at iwriteplays@outlook.com and she will get it to you.
(Note: This is a long episode, at just over 2 hours, and there were some odd noises in the first part, that I couldn't remove without sacrificing dialogue. It is the product of having 4 people remotely connected in different ways so that I could record everyone.)
Happy New Year!..We are talking resolutions, Review the past year and talk about a big upcoming project you dont want to miss!.. Also, What are our resolutions for this year? How does Prince fit into this episode? And what can the "Big Announcement" be?..Tune in to find out! (There are actually 2!)
We are back with another episode where we discuss a plethora of random facts while recording in Cat's van. Find out about the mysterious disappearance of a tv character, and how long an ant queen lives, as well as the what the inventor of the chocolate chip cookie received for the recipe. We hope you enjoy this interesting and sometimes silly episode.
After allowing us to be on his show awhile back, fellow podcaster Adam Blaylock from "A Guy, A Car, and A Podcast" drops by to talk to us. We originally planned to put out a show about podcasting in general, but it morphed into a fascinating episode that covers a lot of ground. Topics include: Religion, Grunge, Adam's path to Podcasting, some of the highs and lows of Podcasting, Vampires, and many other interesting things. Please join us for this fun and engaging episode, and we would like to thank Adam for stopping in to chat with us on Episode 21.
Another episode recorded remotely in Cat's van in the parking lot of Arbys. We talk post-Thanksgiving about a variety of topics: The possibility of vampires living among us, the question if working less makes you happier, an update on the Kentucky Theater Association Roots of the BlueGrass contest, and what is happening with "Unstoppable" the book. We also discuss what projects are on our radar, and when the sequel to Love and Jello might be out, along with a few additional interesting tidbits. We hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving leftovers in episode 20.
We sit down with 5 of our playwriting peers in this awesome supersize episode. Our special guests: Chris Bishop, Michael Radford, Bill McCann, Lisa Holt, and Bill Brohaugh offer insight into their playwriting process, thoughts on working with others, and talk about some of their projects - past and present, as well as pet peeves, and more in this wide ranging discussion.
Note: We recorded this podcast over multiple days and times, and were originally going to cut this into 2 episodes, but wanted to present it in its entirety since we found the subject matter and our guests fascinating. As such, the original ending and beginning of another episode is heard, and the guests may be out of the recorded order. After this recording, Michael Radford and Bill McCann were named the winner and runner up, respectively, in the Kentucky Theater Association Roots of the Bluegrass Playwriting contest for their 10 minute play entries this year, and we want to congratulate them both on this accomplishment. Great work!
Sometimes, we wander off the beaten path, and end up with interesting random content. What started out as an interview type episode, went in a different direction with the help of an online random question generator. We were trying out a new piece of equipment, and recording remotely in Cat's van in a parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. There was a biker shop nearby, and other random things going on which added to the fun of this episode. We share our answers to some interesting questions, as well as insights into why we answered as we did. It is a lighthearted look at what makes us tick, which we hope you will enjoy.
In a conversation at one of our weekly meetings to discuss our projects, Cat and I got into a discussion on goal setting, and what this entails. The gist of the conversation asked the question: Is it your perception of your abilities, or just the reality of hard work that determines your success, and is there any "cosmic" energy that helps you achieve goals. A deep conversation for a Sunday afternoon at Cracker Barrel, but these are the things that come up sometimes after eating too much chicken fried everything. We revisit the discussion in this episode, and give a short update on the things we have happening currently.
We chat with Joslyn Flynn, whose grandmother became a college graduate at the age of 92! This amazing and inspiring story follows the path or Opal Tye, Joslyn's beloved grandmother. From her youth spent in an orphanage to a chance meeting with a college president, and the twists and turns along her path, to Joslyn's anxiety at being separated from her best friend due to the pandemic, this story has a great conclusion you wont want to miss. We are honored to share this sweet and interesting backstory with you.
Back with another interesting episode highlighting Disability Awareness. Our special guests, Ryan Dunn, and Jeff Arseneaux, share their experiences and insights with Cat on a wide variety of topics. such as dating and relationships, and much more. Both are engaging, thoughtful, and very candid about the challenges they deal with, their successes, and hopes for the future. We are happy to share this episode about such an important topic with you, and hope you enjoy listening.
In this episode, we introduce a new ,and potentially ongoing feature to our podcast. We give an update on a few projects, and discuss the interesting backstories of some popular songs. We hope you enjoy this fun new episode.
We are back again with a new episode about our first book, Love and Jello, and have a conversation with our friend Sheila Browning, who read and reviewed the book. She share what she likes about, it, favorite characters, and how the idea for the book was developed, and written. You can find the book on LuLu, as well as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble to name a few. We are proud of our first book, and hope you will enjoy hearing more about it, and grab a copy to read the rest of the story.
We are back! After a long hiatus we, Cat and Matt, have returned with this interesting episode where we dive deeper into Matt's past, and how he became unstuck from various situations he faced. Later in the episode, Matt talks about the strategies that have helped him move forward that anyone can apply to various things in their own lives. We hope you enjoy this wide ranging episode. (Matt was getting over a cold at the time. He also apologizes for the over use of the phrase "You know.".")
A discussion between Cat and Matt about hating to drink water, developed into a future book idea, and currently this podcast with our guests:
Author Sora Vernikoff, who wrote her best selling book "Eat What You Want, Stop When You Want", after figuring out her thought process surrounding food, and working to change this process to help her make better choices in her effort to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Also joining us on this episode is Santana Rodriguez, who hosts her own popular TV show, "Shaping Up with Santana", which is currently streaming on the Roku app, and Amazon Fire TV to name a few. Santana talks about the connection between the food you eat, and how it make yous feel, as well as motivation, accountability, and what motivates her most of all.
Both ladies share with us their interesting backstories, provide many tips to help start and/or continue your journey towards your goals of getting and staying healthy, and why willpower is over-rated, to name a few topics.
Almost everyone has a teacher they remember fondly from their time in school. These are the special ones who can connect with their students, prepare them well for next steps in life, and genuinely care about the success and well being of the students, giving their time, and love to those they teach. Such is the case for the exceptional teachers profiled in this episode. Join us for another special episode featuring our awesome guests Corri Taylor, and Johnathan Stephens. Both are teachers at Lynn Camp High School in Kentucky, who share their backstories of what inspired them to become teachers, the struggles of teaching virtually in the time of Covid-19, how they feel about their students, what their high school experiences were like, and what they would like their students to know. Also joining the conversation is the equally amazing Arthur Canada, who retired from a long career teaching at Lynn Camp a few years ago, but has maintained a close relationship to the school, the teachers, and the students there through his work as the Neighborhood Promise School Coordinator with Berea College. Arthur shares his insights into the past, present and potential future of teaching from his unique perspective. (We had some technical issues recording Arthur during the podcast recording, and there is a great solo interview with him at the end of the podcast.)
Happy Mother's Day! Matt and Cat talk about recent projects, Mothers Day, and Verizon? Join us for a wrap up of the writing of the short play "In Color" which won the recent Kentucky Theater Association Bake Off contest, , and what the inspiration for that was. We also talk about our mothers, and a bit of the surprising origins of Mother's Day.
Graduation, Prom, Senior Trip, and many other events at high schools around the country have been put on hold or cancelled this year. For seniors entering their last year of high school with high hopes of a fun and memorable year have had to deal with much more than any class before them. The uncertainty of the times, the sudden end to their high school days, and the desire to be together once again, before everyone heads off to their next life chapter are all discussed with our guests: Bethany Smith, Aaliyah Flanley, and Masyn Mitchell. All are Lynn Camp seniors in Kentucky, and amazing young women. They share their thoughts about all from their unique perspective living through this unprecedented period, and much more in this insightful episode. Here's to the Class of 2020. We want to wish you all much happiness and success wherever the wind takes you!
Matt and Cat talk to their guests, authors Jeff Rasley, and Carolyn CJ Jones about their travel experiences and the back stories that made them go in the first place. Both have unique perspectives, and great stories to tell, which they share with us in tonight's episode. Matt recounts the story of his security mishap in a foreign country.
Cat and Matt talk to guests Sean McCartney about his experiences with finding love online, and also Relationship Coach Amy Schoen on ways to make it work, even in the midst of a pandemic. Interesting discussion and backstories about finding love online.
Matt and Cat talk to their special guests this week: Alan Katz, Christopher Rausch, and Mark Raines. All have lots to say about having tattoos, from the guys perspective, which contrasts last weeks episode with the ladies. A great discussion with awesome insight into the back stories of what made them chose the tattoos they have, perceptions of others about them, and where Elvis fits in the story. Mark Raines joins at the very end of the episode due to technical issues during recording.
Matt and Cat talk to special guests: tattoo artist Tamara Henson, and Penny Forman, who has gotten many tattoos over the past 20 years. They discuss why people get them, some of the different aspects involved in choosing and getting them, as well as what its like to permanently (usually) ink someone for a living. Statistics and unique perspectives from both sides of the needle. Some Profanity.
Cat has an awesome conversation with 4 special guests: Tiffany Early, Joey Stuckey, Jared Jackson, and Jeff Arseneaux. All involved have dealt with others perceptions of them and offer amazing insight in this discussion about how they deal with, and have dealt with situations, people, comments, and life in general. It is a funny, very candid, and wide ranging episode that we know will foster more awareness, and entertain in the process. It is long-ish, but really worth the listen.
In this episode, we answer questions, talk about where ideas and character names come from, say "you know" alot, and have a discussion about toilet injuries. Welcome, like, you know, to another crazy episode.
Excited to share our first Podcast with you. Cat and Matt talk a bit about their ongoing projects: how they got to this point, from writing "Unstoppable By Design" the play, to the upcoming release of their first book, "Love and Jello", and beyond. Ignore the technical oddities and nerves..