Backstory Sessions backstorysessions

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.