The Popcorn Panel Podcast

Alex Cearns
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  • TV & Film

Welcome to the home of 'The Popcorn Panel' Podcast, your front-row seat to cinema, television and entertainment, where film reviewer Alex Cearns dives into conversation with actors and industry insiders. Each episode brings you behind-the-scenes access as Alex dissects the latest releases, uncovers hidden gems, and shares honest, entertaining takes on the world of film and television. 

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Interview with D.C. Fairhurst and Lucy Green - Actors, Writers and Producers for 'Pickpockets'

    Sydney-based creatives Lucy Green and D.C. Fairhurst are accomplished across many areas of the entertainment industry. Lucy is an actor, writer, producer, and skilled martial artist whose performing credits include ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Catching Milat’.  D.C. is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and editor whose debut psychological thriller feature ‘Reaching Distance’ was released in 2018. He's worked on multi-genre productions like horror, short films, music videos and advertisements.  Together, Lucy and D.C. co-wrote and co-produced the feature film ‘Pickpockets’ and also star in it as lead characters Robin and Jesse, alongside Tim Minchin and Zoe Terakes.  GUEST LINKS Pickpockets website https://www.pickpocketsmovie.com/ Follow Pickpockets on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/pickpocketsmovie/ Follow Lucy Green on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lucygreenage/ Follow DC Fairhurst on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dcfairhurst/  THE POPCORN PANEL LINKS Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM     Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  2. Oct 27

    Interview with Narelle Fraser - Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host and subject of doco 'The Policewoman'

    Narelle Fraser spent 27 years with Victoria Police, including 15 as a detective tackling high-profile cases across the Homicide Squad, Missing Persons Unit and Rape Squad.  Her meticulous and compassionate work brought her face-to-face with complex investigations until 2012 when an unexpected diagnosis changed her career path.  Today she is an international speaker, podcast host, and media commentator, and is the subject of an intriguing and powerful documentary called ‘The Policewoman’. 01:40 - Early Career, Lifeline Counselling, and Joining the Police 05:00 - Move to Specialised Squads and Sex Crimes Investigations 06:23 - Cumulative Trauma, Investigating Child Abuse, and PTSD Diagnosis 18:15 - Reframing PTSD as a Post-Traumatic Stress Injury 19:34 - Leaving the Force, Civilian Transition, and Managing Triggers 26:13 - The Weight of Secret Trauma and Overcoming Mental Health Stigma 30:00 - Reflecting on The Police Woman Documentary and Using Miniatures for Sensitive Scenes 40:20 - Advocating for First Responders and Normalising Mental Health Care 46:40 - Keynote Speaking, Narelle Fraser Interviews Podcast, and Future Projects GUEST LINKS Narelle Fraser’s website https://narellefraser.com/ Narelle Fraser Interviews Podcast  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6XOcaSTVWlOzhU3O6oVd The Policewoman website https://www.thepolicewoman.com.au/ Follow Narelle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/narellefraser/ THE POPCORN PANEL Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM  Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  3. Oct 26

    Interview with Rod Lara - Actor, Mime Artist and Film Maker

    With nearly three decades of experience spanning circus arts, physical comedy, and grand operatic stages, Rod Lara is a remarkably versatile performer who tells captivating stories without needing to say a word.  Trained at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts, his diverse career ranges from starring in Opera Australia productions to creating his own award-winning silent short films and acclaimed festival shows. On screen, he has brought his signature silent mischief to international television hits like Hunters as well as a growing slate of Hollywood and Australian feature films.  Whether performing as his beloved original character Banjo or captivating audiences solo on stage, Rod consistently proves the timeless power of physical performance and is "Here to entertain you".  We discuss Rod's journey from an early arrival in Australia and high school drama to circus arts and mime, highlighting the physical discipline, body awareness, and precise timing needed for physical comedy, character work, and emulating icons like Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson. We also cover crucial set lessons regarding humility, teamwork, and voice work, alongside career highlights like 'The Great Debate', award-winning lockdown filmmaking, and upcoming projects involving live shows and gothic horror films. #rodlara GUEST LINKS Rod Lara website https://www.rodlara.com/ Rod Lara on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/rodlara12 Rod Lara on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/rodlara Follow Rod on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therodlara_/ Follow Rod on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577158918362 THE POPCORN PANEL LINKS Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM  Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  4. Oct 22

    Interview with Simon Reeve - Reporter, TV host & Africa Guide

    Simon Reeve is a veteran television presenter and journalist. A beloved fixture on national screens for decades, he has anchored sports on ‘Weekend Sunrise’, reported on ‘Sunrise’ and hosted hit family shows like ‘Million Dollar Minute’ and ‘It's Academic’.  Beyond game shows and breakfast television, he brought compelling real-life stories into Australian homes through his long-running work on documentary series like ‘The Force: Behind the Line’.  Moving behind the camera, Simon has worked as a camera operator and producer on ‘Grand Designs’ and ‘Restoration Australia’ and is now the marketing director, head of content and Africa guide for Epic Private Journeys. We discuss early broadcast career memories starting at Perth's TVW7 and navigating the demands of live television, working with figures like Olivia Newton-John, adventures across Africa and Botswana including gorilla encounters and conservation efforts, iconic reporting moments covering the America's Cup, early technology on Beyond 2000, the enduring value of authentic storytelling, and personal family challenges dealing with childhood heart conditions alongside a transition into global travel hosting. GUEST LINKS Follow Simon on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_simonreeve/ Follow Epic Private Journeys on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/epicprivatejourneys/ Epic Private Journeys website https://epicprivatejourneys.com/ THE POPCORN PANEL LINKS Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  5. Oct 16

    Interview with Mikaela Zuiderduyn - Filmaker and 'Race Around the World' Contestant

    Mikaela Zed (Mikaela Zuiderduyn) is a Perth-based director, editor, and creative director who represents a fresh Gen Z perspective in Australian filmmaking. She has worked on independent shorts, commercials and music videos, and will soon be heading to China for a large internatjonal project.  In 2026 Mikaela was selected as one of six emerging Australian directors on ABC series ‘Race Around The World’, where she made ten short films in 100 days in ten countries including the USA (Alaksa and New Orleans), South Korea, Morocco, Brazil, Japan, USA, Germany, Argentina,  Canada and Mongolia. Her motto is "Art is subjective. Not everyone is going to like your film, so as long as you make something that you're proud of, it doesn't really matter if people don't like it." GUEST LINKS Follow Mikaela on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikaelazed/   THE POPCORN PANEL Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD   Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQ9PWGXCsZcHGw0wACRa1  Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-popcorn-panel-podcast/id6818188186 Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM    Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  6. Oct 15

    Interview with journalist Amy Goodman and Director Carl Deal - 'Steal This Story, Please!'

    Amy Goodman is an award-winning investigative journalist and the host and co-founder of 'Democracy Now!', an independent daily news program broadcasting worldwide across 1,500 radio stations,  as well as on television and the internet.  Renowned for her commitment to grassroots reporting, she gives a voice to marginalised communities and holds those in power accountable on global issues like human rights, environmental justice, and corporate influence.  A pioneer of independent media, Amy remains driven to uphold the democratic role of a free press. Throughout her career, she has covered major international conflicts, indigenous rights movements, and political uprisings directly from the front lines. Her work is captured in the documentary 'Steal This Story, Please!' by long-time creative partners Carl Deal and Tia Lessin.   Carl and Tia are acclaimed filmmakers best known for directing the Academy Award-nominated documentary 'Trouble the Water'. They have also extensively produced acclaimed non-fiction films, including collaborations with director Michael Moore. GUEST LINKS Visit the ‘Steal This Story, Please!’ website https://stealthisstory.org/ Follow ‘Steal This Story, Please!’ on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stealthisstoryplease/ ‘Democracy Now!’ Website https://www.democracynow.org/ Follow ‘Democracy Now!’ on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzuqE7-t13O4NIDYJfakrhw Follow ‘Democracy Now!’ on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/democracynow/ THE POPCORN PANEL LINKS Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD  Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM’ Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  7. Oct 13

    Interview with Kate Jenkinson - Actor, Top Dog & Top Chef

    Kate Jenkinson is an acclaimed actress who graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2004. Her career began on stage in Perth with the Black Swan Theatre Company, before transitioning to television comedy as a regular on The Wedge alongside Rebel Wilson.  She has worked overseas in the US sitcom Super Fun Night and starred as Allie Novak in the hit series Wentworth, plus played roles in Offspring, Doctor Doctor, Hiding, and Five Bedrooms, to name a few. Pivoting during Covid, Kate gained a large social media following for her online cooking series ‘My Shit Kitchen’ and has gone on to publish her first cookbook “Half Baked”. Follow Kate on Instagram at   / katejenko  Subscribe to Kate's Substack at https://substack.com/@katejenko Order “Half Baked” at https://bit.ly/4s3PjOA Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQ9PWG... Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Follow on Instagram at https://bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at https://bit.ly/43ZqOaR Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  8. Oct 1

    Interview with Kate Separovich - Producer at Lake Martin Films

    Kate Separovich is an award-winning Western Australian film producer. She originally studied graphic design and worked in local cinemas, where she fell in love with production and set building. Moving into directing short films, she eventually trained at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School before heading to the UK. She then pivoted into creative producing, building 15+ years of industry experience.   In 2017, she co-founded Lake Martin Films with her husband, writer/editor Luke Martin. She has produced acclaimed festival short films, as well as the supernatural / horror feature 'Proclivitas', which was awarded ScreenWest / Screen Australia's $1.25M West Coast Visions initiative.    Named "One to Watch" by Screen Producers Australia in 2021, Kate is a former Chair of the WA Film and Television Institute and a founding member of Raising Films Australia, championing sustainability and parent support in screen industries.   Sign up to the ‘Australia In Cinemas’ Substack https://australiaincinemas.substack.com/ Follow ‘Proclivitas’ on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/popular/proclivitas-movie/ ‘Proclivitas’ is now streaming on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/au/title/82635446 Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD  Follow on Instagram at bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  9. Oct 1

    Interview with Kathy Sharp - Publicity & Promotions Manager WA for Sony Pictures

    Kathy Sharp is a publicity and promotions veteran with over three decades of experience in the film distribution and exhibition industry. She started out learning programming and building payroll systems at Channel 7 before taking a casual role with Hoyts Fox Columbia TriStar Films.  Her role quickly expanded as she learned every facet of film distribution, from sales and bookings to accounts, exhibitor relations, and publicity.   When the joint venture split, she took on the role of WA State Manager for Columbia TriStar (later Sony Pictures Releasing), a position she has since held for over 32 years.  Over her career, she has hosted large-scale promotional stunts for film launches and managed local marketing and influencer networks.  Named Western Australian Cinema Pioneer of the Year in 2023, Kathy has served as an honorary director for the WA Motion Picture Benevolent Fund for over 20 years and leads major community fundraising drives.   Follow Kathy Sharp PR on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kathsharppr/ Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD  Follow on Instagram at bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  10. Oct 1

    Interview with Sorrel Wilby - Adventurer, Reporter, Producer and Artist

    Sorrel Wilby is a committed naturalist and award-winning adventurer, photographer, artist, writer, television reporter and documentary maker. She is passionate about the environment and deeply committed to sharing her love and knowledge of nature with others, encouraging greater curiosity and respect for the natural world – above and below the waterline.  Her list of incredible achievements includes: * Completing a 3,000 kilometre solo trek across Tibet. * Traversing the entire 6,500 kilometres of the Himalayas on foot with her husband Chris. * Serving as a team member and documentarian on the Everest Bicentennial Expedition in 1988. * Completing a 17,000 kilometre solo bicycle journey across Asia. * Climbing every major mountain peak in Africa. * Spending nearly a decade as a presenter and roving reporter on Channel Nine's Getaway, hosting Painting Australia for the ABC, and presenting the Best of Australia series for Australian Geographic. * Collaborating with Wild Bear Entertainment on more than 50 documentaries and serving as the Chair of the Australian Geographic Society. * Authoring 13 books, ranging from travel memoirs to children's titles, and contributing images and articles to over 100 global publications, including National Geographic. * Receiving a prestigious Churchill Fellowship in 2023 to document the endemic species of Norfolk Island. * Gifting an entire art collection of nature drawings to Norfolk Island. * Raising her two fabulous children. View Sorrel's website at https://www.norfolkislandsnaturalbounty.com/ Order merch at https://www.norfolkislandsnaturalbounty.com/new-page-3 Visit the Natures Bounty gallery https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/sorrel-wilby-natures-bounty-gallery/ Subscribe to The Popcorn Panel Podcast at https://bit.ly/4y7sImD  Follow on Instagram at bit.ly/4dNloD3  Follow on Facebook at bit.ly/43ZqOaR  Follow on Letterboxd https://bit.ly/3FRfioM Support the show Your front row seat to cinema, television and entertainment!

  • 10 Episodes

About

Welcome to the home of 'The Popcorn Panel' Podcast, your front-row seat to cinema, television and entertainment, where film reviewer Alex Cearns dives into conversation with actors and industry insiders. Each episode brings you behind-the-scenes access as Alex dissects the latest releases, uncovers hidden gems, and shares honest, entertaining takes on the world of film and television. 

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Cearns
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Popcorn Panel Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Popcorn Panel Podcast

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