Fascination Street

steve owens
  • 4.9 (53)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

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. 19h ago

    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)

  2. 4d ago

    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!

  3. Jul 20

    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)

  4. Jul 16

    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

  5. Jul 13

    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)

  6. Jul 9

    Throwback: Adam Carolla - Podcaster / Comedian (Episode 100)

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with comedian, actor, and podcasting legend Adam Carolla. Adam was kind enough to be guest for the 100th episode, which was released on 1.13.19 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!  Adam Carolla - Podcaster / Comedian (Episode 100) THIS IS THE 100TH EPISODE OF FASCINATION STREET PODCAST!! An event such as this could only be celebrated with THE KING OF PODCASTING; Adam Carolla. You know Adam from Loveline, The Man Show, Crank Yankers, syndicated morning radio, and for the last 10 years, the most successful podcaster on the planet. In this episode Adam and I chat about why he got into podcasting, he shares his philosophy on making money, and we talk a little about his massive Paul Newman racecar collection. We also talk a little bit about my personal favorite episode of The Adam Carolla Show, and some of the events that led up to it. Follow Adam on social media: Twit: @AdamCarolla Follow The Adam Carolla Show: Twit: @TheAdamCarollaShow Insta: @AdamCarolla Check out The Adam Carolla Show: AdamCarolla.com Adam's podcasts on the Carolla Digital Network: The Adam Carolla Show The Adam And Drew Show (with Dr. Drew Pinsky) Reasonable Doubt (with Mark Geragos) Car Cast (with Matt D'Andria) Ace Of The House (with Eric Stromer)

    Throwback: Adam Carolla - Podcaster / Comedian (Episode 100)

  7. Jul 6

    Titus Welliver Returns! - Actor (The Westies / The Night Agent / Get Jiro)

    Titus Welliver Returns! Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know even more about Titus Welliver. His first appearance on the show was on 9.29.2025. Go back and check that one out to get Titus' back story and a bit of the story of his journey. In this episode, we chat about what Titus has been up to since we last spoke. He has recently finished filming The Westies. This is a highly anticipated mafia style series on MGM+ based on the true events surrounding the construction of The Javits Center in 1980's Hell's Kitchen, New York, Ny. The show is led by J.K. Simons, and our boy Titus Welliver. It has an all-star cast and will be released on July 12th. Two episodes drop for the premier, with the remaining episodes released weekly. Titus has also recently joined the cast for the final season of Netflix's The Night Agent. Never one to rest, Titus has also completed his work on the animated series Get Jiro, which is based on the graphic novel written by the late Anthony Bourdain. We talk about all of this, plus, Titus has had two films come out this year. Ricky, and Killing Castro. Both of these projects have received wide acclaim and are available everywhere. Along the way, we chat about the new Bosch prequel series Start of Watch, the return of Ballard, in the Bosch universe, and even some of Titus's friend groups; the CADS and the Funky Homosapiens. Titus is always a blast to talk to, and this time is no different. Follow him on the socials and catch all of these upcoming and recently released projects!

    Titus Welliver Returns! - Actor (The Westies / The Night Agent / Get Jiro)

  8. Jul 2

    Throwback: Ed Asner - Actor / Legend

    Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with 7 time Emmy winning actor Ed Asner. Ed appeared on the show twice, but first appeared on the show on 7.25.18 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!  Ed Asner - Actor / Legend This week my guest is Ed Asner. Depending on your age; you know him from The Mary Tyler Moore show, Lou Grant, even the Pixar blockbuster UP. We talk about The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant, his touring one man show: A Man And His Prostate, and we even talk about Ed's newest book: The Grouchy Historian. Last month Ed Asner allegedly passed away in a car accident. I ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. I KNOW THIS FOR 100% CERTAIN. THIS WAS A RIDICULOUS HOAX. Ed's Social Media: Twitter: @TheOnlyEdAsner Instagram: @TheOnlyEdAsner FB: Ed Asner Amazon link to Ed's newest book: https://amzn.to/2MXrMuS Link for tickets: www.amanandhisprostate.com Link to Autism website: www.edasnerfamilycenter.org Link to donate: www.edasnerfamilycenter.org/donate

    Throwback: Ed Asner - Actor / Legend
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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
    569
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright steve owens
  • Show Website
    Fascination Street

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