Fascination Street

steve owens
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Fascinating People, Fascinating stories. If you're like me, you love to find out how people got to where they are in life, what makes them tick, some of their hurdles, and what made them think they could do it. If so, then join me every Monday as I 'take a walk down Fascination Street' and get to know the stories behind people from every walk of life. "Streetwalkers" include: actors, authors, directors, musicians, pop culture icons, social activists, athletes, screenwriters, comedians, artists, podcasters, CEO's, and even an astronaut! New episodes every Monday, and sometimes a bonus one too!

  1. 1 day ago

    Throwback: Jeremy Swift - Musician / Actor (Ted Lasso / Downton Abbey)

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Jeremy Swift. Jeremy first appeared on the show on 9.25.23. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! Jeremy Swift Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Jeremy Swift. You may know Jeremy from Downton Abbey, Apple TV's Ted Lasso, or the Wachowski Siblings' epic Jupiter Ascending. But you may not know that Jeremy is arguably a more talented musician, than he is an actor. Just kidding. He is superb in both endeavors! In this episode, we chat about how he came to be an actor, and some of his first roles. I mean he toured with a cabaret troupe that played shows in various prisons! Holy Moly! Of course, we discuss some of his experiences on the previously listed projects, and a couple of others. I ask him what it is like to work with his wife on set, and he spills the beans on Ted Lasso season 4! Jeremy also shares the story of why he chose to get his Sag / Aftra card, and his upcoming film: "Descendants 4: The Rise of Red". Next we get into music. Jeremy started playing music at a very early age, and we definitely dive into that aspect of his creativity. Jeremy shares stories of his punk phase, seeing The Sex Pistols live, and his thoughts on the "Oi!" movement of the late 70's. Jeremy has a new album out called "Songs of Escape and Endless Night", which is catchy as hell. We discuss a couple of the tracks from that album, and he lets me play my favorite song from it. Jeremy shares his love for David Bowie, building synthesizers with his dad, and Christo Fernandez working on Jeremy's new album. Follow Jeremy Swift everywhere. See Jeremy Swift in everything. Listen to Jeremy Swift on Spotify.

    Throwback: Jeremy Swift - Musician / Actor (Ted Lasso / Downton Abbey)

  2. 4 days ago

    Rick Maltese - Jazz Pianist, Composer, Songwriter

    Rick Maltese Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Toronto's own Rick Maltese. Rick is a jazz pianist, composer, songwriter, and singer. In this episode, we chat about how he first got into jazz, and being a Canadian, that wasn't an easy task! We discuss some of his early influences, including his dad, and some of the greats. I do dig into where he gained the confidence to learn to play an instrument as an early age. We talk about some of the different styles of piano playing and why he started playing The Beatles songs as jazz tunes! Next, I ask him about the various brands and types of pianos, and which are his favorites. Rick shares some of the reasons behind why he decided to write lyrics to accompany his music, as well as why he wrote them in a manner that advocates for social consciousness. Rick has fairly recently released 3 albums of new music with some of his friends. Rick Maltese and Friends Vol 1, 2, & 3 are out now and available just about everywhere. Volume 1 is actually released under The RGB Trio. The other members include George Koller, Ben Wittman, and Bill McBirnie. Rick is kind enough to let me play 2 songs from 2 different albums in this episode, and he explains in depth what each of them is about and why he felt the need to write them. Check out Rick's website for more details on where the music can be found, and for any upcoming live dates

    Rick Maltese - Jazz Pianist, Composer, Songwriter

  3. 30 Jul

    Throwback: Jason Ritter - Actor (A Million Little Things / Raising Dion)

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with third generation actor Jason Ritter. Jason has been on the show twice, but first appeared on the show on 4.27.20 It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! Jason Ritter - Actor - Part 1 Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know actor Jason Ritter. This is part 1. Make sure to come back next week for part 2. In this episode; Jason and I chat about: his growing up a third generation Hollywood actor, how much we miss the social media platform VINE, what he was voted 'most likely' to do in high school, and how difficult it was managing his fledgling acting career in the midst of his father's unexpected passing. This episode does have some somber moments, but also a ton of laughs. Jason Ritter - Actor - Part 2 Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I continue my conversation with actor Jason Ritter. This is part 2. If you haven't listened to part 1; go back now and check that one out. In this episode we talk about; his very unique relationship with the WARNING family and two tv shows that he is currently on (A Million Little Things on ABC, and Raising Dion on Netflix). We also talk a little about a documentary he was part of that focuses on Huntington's Disease; before finally talking about what it's like to be a brand new father! Follow Jason on social media: Twit: @JasonRitter Insta: @Jason_Ritter FB: Jason Ritter

    Throwback: Jason Ritter - Actor (A Million Little Things / Raising Dion)

  4. 27 Jul

    Michael Kostroff - Actor (Spider Noir / The Wire / Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway)

    Michael Kostroff Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Michael Kostroff. Michael has been a working actor for several decades and is well known for several roles. In this episode, we chat about some of those roles, some of those shows, and he shares experiences from them. We talk about his breakout role on 'The Wire', his stints as Max Bialystok in SEVEN separate touring productions of the smash hit 'The Producers', and some of his other prominent roles. Aat the time we recorded this episode; Michael was toward the end of his run on 'Dog Day Afternoon' on Broadway. Michael was kind enough to actually record this during his Broadway debut! We do a bit of a deep dive into Michael's career; both before he became a household face, and after. He was a writer at Disneyland, which was a thing I didn't even know existed. I ask him questions about working on 'Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip', and what it is like to work on an Aaron Sorkin project. He shares stories from the set of 'The Blacklist' and getting to work with his pal Deirdre Lovejoy again, singing the theme song for a television show, and doing yet another job I didn't know existed; but this time for Tony Bennett. Then we jump into Michael's role as the mayor of New York and working with Nicolas Cage on 'Spider Noir'. Of course, I ask him about fulfilling his life-long dream of performing on Broadway, and what it is like being part of 'Dog Day Afternoon'. Then we discuss his various books. Michael Kostroff has written 4 books so far, and we get into a couple of them. Michael teaches a workshop that helps actors get out of their own heads when doing auditions, it's called 'Audition Psych 101'. He also wrote a book by the same name and there is an audio version as well. We have a pretty in-depth discussion around this topic and his need to share what he has learned along the way. This is a fun and wild ride that goes all over the place. Michael even talks about that one time where he was the driver on the campaign for a person who went on to become The President of the United States of America! Follow Michael everywhere, buy the books, watch the shows, take the workshop. You will be better for it!

    Michael Kostroff - Actor (Spider Noir / The Wire / Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway)

  5. 23 Jul

    Throwback: Rachel Dolezal - Yes, THAT one!

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with fine artist & activist Rachel Dolezal. Rachel has appeared twice on the show and her first appeared on the show on 1.6.20 It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!  Rachel Dolezal - Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know THE REAL Rachel Dolezal. In this episode we chat about where she grew up and what it was like to grow up feeling like she did not belong. We also talk alot about race and it's place in society; as well as some of the differences in which different people are treated. Of course we talk about the events that catipulted her name into the public eye, the family events that instigated that entire mess; and what she is doing now. I know a lot of folks have a preconceived idea about this young lady; but my hope is that you will listen to this woman's story with an open mind. Maybe, just maybe, by the end of this episode; you will have attained a touch more compassion and understanding about what she went (and is still going) through. This was a very big honor for me and my sincerest wish is that all of you enjoy it as well. Follow Rachel on social medis: Twit: @RachelADolezal Insta: @RachelADolezal FB: @Rachel Dolezal Check out her website: RachelDolezal.com

    Throwback: Rachel Dolezal - Yes, THAT one!

  6. 20 Jul

    Randy Oglesby - Actor (Spider Noir / The Burbs / For All Mankind)

    Randy Oglesby Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know actor Randy Oglesby. Randy has been an actor on television, film, and stage for more decades than I feel comfortable saying! In this episode, we chat about some of his pre-acting jobs, and why he eventually decided to get into acting. We touch on some of his earlier acting roles and experiences, and even what famous actress was in his high school drama class. We take a little detour as we discuss some of his stage performances and projects in the Los Angeles area. Randy shares his opinions about self-tape auditions versus in the room, which he prefers and the reasons why. Finally, we dive into his roles on THREE current television shows. Randy plays president of The United States Jim Bragg on Apple TV's 'For All Mankind', police chief McNamara on Amazon Prime's 'Marvel's Spider Noir', and Bill Festersen on Peacock's 'The Burbs'. He shares a few stories around the SEVEN roles he has played in the Star Trek universe, before I pepper him with industry and audition questions that we provided by an actress who happens to also be a listener. Make sure you catch Randy on those three shows and keep an eye out for him on some of your favorite films and TV shows from past, present, and future!

    Randy Oglesby - Actor (Spider Noir / The Burbs / For All Mankind)

  7. 16 Jul

    Throwback: Tommy Chong - Musician / Author / Comedian / Marijuana Advocate (Cheech & Chong) #300

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with Canadian-American comedian, actor Tommy Chong. Tommy is most known for being part of the weed themed comedy duo Cheech & Chong, and he first appeared as the guest for the 300th episode on 4.20.22. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! Tommy Chong *** THIS IS EPISODE 300 OF FASCINATION STREET PODCAST!! *** Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Tommy Chong. Tommy takes us on a journey of getting to know him. From the Canadian farm he was born and raised on, to starting the very first strip club in Vancouver, to getting signed by Motown Records and touring the world playing with acts like Diana Ross & The Supremes, to sharing a stage with Jimi Hendrix, and smoking pot with one of The Beatles and someone from Leave It To Beaver! Naturally Tommy tells me the story of how he met Cheech Marin, and the genesis of their very first recorded comedy sketch. All along the way, we chat about various fun things; from the T.actical W.omen's A.lert T.eam, to Basketball Jones, to prison and bunking with Jordan Belfort. Tommy let's me play their biggest Motown hit, and explains how he had a hand in getting Jordan Belfort to write the book that the movie The Wolf Of Wallstreet was based on. We also talk about a new 'At Home Weed Delivery Service', NFT's, spirituality, and a whole lot more! Plus, I share some Cheech & Chong stories from my youth. Follow Tommy on social media: Twit: @TommyChong Insta: @HeyTommyChong

    Throwback: Tommy Chong - Musician / Author / Comedian / Marijuana Advocate (Cheech & Chong) #300

  8. 13 Jul

    Debora Masterson - Author (Freedom Quest: A Love Story)

    Debora Masterson Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Debora Masterson. Debora is an author who just released her debut novel! 'Freedom Quest: A Love Story' follows the story of Grace and Michael who fall in love in the mid 1960s, break up, get back together, and some bits of the incredible life that happens to them during the space between. This book is roughly 85% true according to the author. The character of Grace is Debora, and the character of Michael is Craig. Debora's real life soul mate Craig Ingraham was a musical phenom and a prolific songwriter. He also lost his way, fell into some rough circumstances, and even unwittingly joined a cult! This book is a wild ride. There are drugs, mayhem, love, loss, cults, music, dancing, and even some famous people. Available wherever you get books, 'Freedom Quest: A Love Story' is also in the process of being turned into an audiobook. There is also a companion Spotify playlist which has songs from the actual band Freedom Quest, recorded back in the early 1970s. In this episode, Debora shares some of her personal reasons for writing this book, some of the fun times between her and her soul mate, and some of the stuff that didn't quite make the book. We also take a bit of a dive into her experiences with transcendental meditation (TM), and even a local historical landmark that she helped save. Buy the book, listen to the playlist, and check out the short documentary that she & Craig made to honor their fallen friend in Vietnam.

    Debora Masterson - Author (Freedom Quest: A Love Story)
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About

Fascinating People, Fascinating stories. If you're like me, you love to find out how people got to where they are in life, what makes them tick, some of their hurdles, and what made them think they could do it. If so, then join me every Monday as I 'take a walk down Fascination Street' and get to know the stories behind people from every walk of life. "Streetwalkers" include: actors, authors, directors, musicians, pop culture icons, social activists, athletes, screenwriters, comedians, artists, podcasters, CEO's, and even an astronaut! New episodes every Monday, and sometimes a bonus one too!

Information

  • Creator
    steve owens
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    572
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright steve owens
  • Show Website
    Fascination Street

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