Elite Spotlight

Michael Masci
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Performing Arts
  • Weekly

Elite Spotlight is where inspiring conversations come to life. Hosted by Michael Masci and his wife Blanca Degarr Masci, each episode features entertainers, entrepreneurs, innovators, authors, and leaders who are making a positive impact. Discover the stories, lessons, and moments that inspire people to thrive. Michael and Blanca bring decades of entertainment industry experience to every conversation. Both are entrepreneurs, authors, and real estate professionals, and together they founded Elite Artists Network, LLC, helping performers build successful careers. Grounded in faith and family, they are parents to eight children. Their passion is chatting with remarkable guests whose stories entertain, educate, and inspire.

  1. Oct 16 ·  Video

    The Art of Bringing Stories to Life | Voice Actor, Podcaster, Kris Keppeler | Elite Spotlight

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 🎙️ What does it take to bring a story to life using nothing but your voice? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, we welcome Kris Keppeler, an accomplished voice actor, audiobook narrator, actress, and podcaster with more than 30 years of experience in entertainment and storytelling. Kris shares her unconventional journey into acting, from discovering her singing voice later in life to performing in musical theater and eventually finding her passion for voice acting. Ever wondered how one person can become a prince, princess, witch, dragon, or even an anteater? Kris takes us behind the microphone to reveal the creativity, imagination, and technical skills required to give unforgettable characters their own unique voices. We also explore the booming world of audiobooks, what aspiring voice actors need to know before getting started, and how Kris continues to reinvent herself through her podcast, Kris Talks About the Wisdom of Women, where she celebrates women's stories, experiences, and insights. Whether you're an aspiring performer, a storyteller, or simply curious about the voices behind your favorite audiobooks and animated characters, this conversation offers an entertaining glimpse into a world where imagination has no limits. 🎧 Discover more about Kris Keppeler: https://chriskeppler.com ⭐ Love Elite Spotlight? We'd love your support! Subscribe to Elite Spotlight and take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts! Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you inspiring stories and extraordinary guests. Thank you for being part of the Elite Spotlight family! ❤️🎙️ 🍎 Leave your Apple Podacst review here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-spotlight/id6792097376 🌐 Explore more episodes: https://EliteSpotlightPodcast.com Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDGSqKC0tpxg Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and your favorite podcast platforms. #EliteSpotlight #KrisKeppeler #VoiceActing #AudiobookNarrator #VoiceOverArtist #PodcastInterview #Storytelling #EntertainmentIndustry #Acting #WomenInPodcasting

    The Art of Bringing Stories to Life | Voice Actor, Podcaster, Kris Keppeler | Elite Spotlight

  2. Oct 14 ·  Video

    Multiple death & near death experiences / what they can teach you

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What does it take to keep going when life tries to stop you more than once? In this episode, recorded live in Elite Spotlight’s first-ever Facebook Live broadcast, we welcome Jay Setchell. Jay is a Marine Corps veteran, a survivor of multiple near-death experiences, and the author of The Strength Within You, Always Too Soon to Quit. Jay takes us from his upbringing on a working farm, where he learned early lessons in work ethic and responsibility, to his service in the Marines. Then comes the car accident that took the lives of three fellow Marines and left Jay with 32 facial fractures and paralysis. He also talks about surviving a broken neck and a drowning, and about the role faith played in his recovery. He believed he would walk again before his arms had even moved, and he noticed he made more progress on Sundays through prayer than in his regular therapy sessions. Jay’s message is simple and powerful: keep your eyes on the goal, not the obstacle. He also shares stories of the people his journey has touched, including a teenage student deeply moved by one of his talks, and an 88-year-old reader who, after finishing his book, decided to start planning her 95th birthday. If you’re facing your own setback, or know someone who is, this conversation is a reminder that it’s always too soon to quit. Visit Jay's Website: https://neverquittrying.com/ #EliteSpotlight #JaySetchell #NeverQuit #Faith #Resilience #Veterans #Inspiration

    Multiple death & near death experiences / what they can teach you

  3. Oct 12 ·  Video

    Stop Three-Putting: Putting by the Numbers | Bob Labbe | Elite Spotlight

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! On this episode of Elite Spotlight, we welcome Bob Labbe, engineer, golfer, and author of Putting by the Numbers, to explore how an engineering mindset can bring more consistency and confidence to the green. After struggling with long putts, Bob set out to understand the relationship between putting stroke, distance, and surface resistance. He shares the approach he developed and tested at more than 100 golf courses worldwide, along with practical ways golfers can prepare before a round and take some of the guesswork out of distance control. In this conversation, we discuss: The inspiration behind Putting by the NumbersHow green speed and different playing surfaces affect a puttWhy a consistent stroke and purposeful practice matterBob’s journey from building air pollution control businesses to writing about golfHis experience playing with a 7 handicap at age 82His recommendation for golf instruction in Maggie Valley, North CarolinaWhether you’re a golfer looking for a fresh approach or someone inspired by pursuing a passion in retirement, Bob’s story offers a thoughtful look at problem-solving, lifelong learning, and doing what you love. 👉 Visit Bob's Website: https://boblabbe.com/

    Stop Three-Putting: Putting by the Numbers | Bob Labbe | Elite Spotlight

  4. Sep 28 ·  Video

    Six Simple Steps to Literary Lionhood | Larry F Sommers | Elite Spotlight

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What does it take to bring history to life on the page? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael talks with author and coach Larry Sommers about the research, imagination, and persistence behind his books. Larry shares the stories behind The Price of Passage, a historical novel about American slaves and Norwegian immigrants, and Izzy Strikes Gold, a middle-grade adventure set in 1957. He also offers a look at his upcoming nonfiction book on church history. For aspiring writers, Larry’s advice is direct: start writing, seek thoughtful feedback, keep practicing, and stay with it. Join us for a conversation about storytelling and the long journey of becoming an author. Visit Larry’s website https://larryfsommers.com

    Six Simple Steps to Literary Lionhood | Larry F Sommers | Elite Spotlight

  5. Sep 25 ·  Video

    Unlocking the Top 5 Strategies to engage your audience | Peter George | Elite Spotlight

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What makes a speech memorable? In this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael talks with public speaking coach Peter George about connecting with an audience from the very first words. Peter shares his AMPT framework—Audience, Message, Presentation, and Delivery—and explains why understanding your listeners comes first. He explores the difference between informing people and inspiring lasting change, offers stronger ways to open a talk, and challenges the idea that you must feel confident before you begin. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation or simply want to speak more effectively, this conversation offers practical ways to prepare, practice, and make your message matter. To order Peter's book or to learn more about his coaching classes, visit: https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com/

    Unlocking the Top 5 Strategies to engage your audience | Peter George | Elite Spotlight

  6. Sep 21 ·  Video

    The first battle between Good vs Evil | Rick Norris

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! He was a CPA. His father was a rockabilly singer for Capitol Records, and music ran through Rick Norris's life from the very beginning. Now Rick writes books where characters sing to you. Literally. Scan a QR code mid-chapter and hear the song. But that's not even the wildest part. Rick's faith journey started at a stream during a retreat. A moment so intense it turned him into an online missionary who's quietly reached thousands of people over 15 years. And his next book? "Angelic Wars, First Rebellion", told through original music, and scripture woven straight into the story. This episode is about reinvention, faith, and what happens when a numbers guy decides the world needs more songs. 👉 Explore Rick's books at https://ricknorrisbooks.com/ 👉 ANGELIC WARS: FIRST REBELLION: https://ricknorrisbooks.com/index.php/library/angelic-wars-first-rebellion/ 👉 ANGELIC WARS: END OF THE BEGINNING: https://ricknorrisbooks.com/index.php/library/angelic-wars-end-of-the-beginnnig/

    The first battle between Good vs Evil | Rick Norris

  7. Sep 17 ·  Video

    Writing with Purpose: Family, Faith, and the Power of Reflection | Nancy Jasin Ensley

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Elite Spotlight • Nancy Jason Ensley What can a lifetime spent caring for others teach us about life, death, and everything in between? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael Masci and Blanca Degarr Masci sit down with Nancy Jason Ensley, an 85-year-old nurse, author, and lifelong storyteller whose remarkable journey spans decades in healthcare. Nancy shares how witnessing a plane crash as a 19-year-old nursing student helped shape her calling, eventually leading to work in hospice care, legal nurse consulting, Medicare auditing, and even the development of computer systems for hospice patients. But some of Nancy’s most unforgettable experiences can’t easily be explained by medicine. She opens up about unusual encounters surrounding patients at the end of life, including seeing figures she believed were deceased loved ones and experiences that challenged the boundaries between the clinical and the spiritual. Now an accomplished author, Nancy also discusses her books, her latest projects, and how journaling, faith, reflection, and a lifetime of experience continue to shape the stories she tells. It’s a fascinating conversation about purpose, resilience, storytelling, and what we may discover when science and the mysteries of life intersect. Discover Nancy’s books, her story, and more at NancyJasinEnsley.com⁠

    Writing with Purpose: Family, Faith, and the Power of Reflection | Nancy Jasin Ensley

  8. Sep 14 ·  Video

    What Happens When Science Proves the Afterlife? | Don Schechter

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if science could prove that life after death exists, but only for a genetically chosen few? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael Masci chats Don Schechter: CEO, filmmaker, author, and professor, to explore his science fiction novel, Ascendants. Set in 2060, Ascendants imagines a world where technology has confirmed the existence of life after death for a select group of people, creating a society divided by genetics, privilege, and the promise of immortality. Don shares how the story began with a vivid scene that came to him in his 20s and evolved over decades through filmmaking, world-building, and eventually the novel itself. He and Michael also explore how science fiction has changed since the 1950s, the powerful interests behind emerging technology, and why some of the best science fiction isn't really about technology at all, it's about people. Don also discusses the challenge of finding an audience as an independent author, his upcoming sequel to Ascendants, and a new nonfiction project examining decades of science-fiction storytelling. Discover Don's book: Ascendants:: https://ascendantsbook.com/ And check out Don's podcast: No Win Scenario. https://nowinscenariopodcast.com 🚢 EXPLORE AMERICA WITH AMERICAN CRUISE LINES Ready to experience America from a whole new perspective? Discover unforgettable river and coastal cruises, beautiful destinations, and uniquely American journeys with American Cruise Lines. 👉 Plan your next adventure: AmericanCruiseLines.com

    What Happens When Science Proves the Afterlife? | Don Schechter
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About

Elite Spotlight is where inspiring conversations come to life. Hosted by Michael Masci and his wife Blanca Degarr Masci, each episode features entertainers, entrepreneurs, innovators, authors, and leaders who are making a positive impact. Discover the stories, lessons, and moments that inspire people to thrive. Michael and Blanca bring decades of entertainment industry experience to every conversation. Both are entrepreneurs, authors, and real estate professionals, and together they founded Elite Artists Network, LLC, helping performers build successful careers. Grounded in faith and family, they are parents to eight children. Their passion is chatting with remarkable guests whose stories entertain, educate, and inspire.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Masci
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elite Artists Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Elite Spotlight