Let's talk about Verticals

Michaela Bergmann

5.0 (1)
AFTER SHOWS
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc. Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides. Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

1D AGO

75 - TJ Wilk - From Manny to Main Roles and Swimsuits to Spotlight...

This conversation is one I could have continued for hours — TJ Wilk @tjwilkofficial shared so many fascinating stories from his life that I was completely captivated and rarely felt this thoroughly entertained. 🎧✨A born drummer, TJ has already released two music albums (including on Spotify). In 2023, he entered the Vertical World as an actor — but his journey there was anything but ordinary. From international modeling success to starring in a TV show, working as a “manny,” attending acting school, and so much more, his path has been incredibly diverse. 🌍🎬Originally, TJ pursued Olympic ambitions in springboard diving during college. But thanks to Mark Wahlberg, he developed an interest in modeling and acting — eventually trading his swimsuit for underwear campaigns, a modeling career, and acting classes. 🩲🎭At first, acting didn’t come easily. As he shares, memorizing lines for auditions was a real challenge. Only after learning new techniques — and realizing that his role in a long-running TV series no longer fulfilled him — did he decide in 2023 to fully commit to his acting dream. His very first audition? A vertical — without even knowing what that was. 😄🎥Today, TJ has become a key figure in the vertical scene, captivating audiences daily with numerous lead roles. Drumming remains a big part of his life, just like his daily gym routine to stay “camera ready” at all times. 🥁💪And what’s the story behind Kermit the Frog? 🐸And why didn’t his Superman flannel pajamas impress a woman? 🦸‍♂️😅All this — and many more fascinating, entertaining stories — await you in this episode. Enjoy listening! 🎧✨Some Verticsls with TJ Wilk:Drowning his Restraint (@loveshots.app)Love Me Later, Pay Me Now! (@kalostvapp)My Scar, His Debt to Pay (@playletshort)Mafia Majesty (@goodshortdrama)Mafia Daddy Next Door (@kalostvapp)

1h 10m
4D AGO

74 - Cyle Kolton - $10 Billion Poker Hands & Other Unrealistic Stories...

A brand-new episode is just around the corner, and this time I sat down with actor Kyle Colton @kyle_colton89 for a deep dive into the world of vertical storytelling.With 50+ verticals under his belt, Kyle has explored nearly every genre imaginable—earning himself a fully checked Vertical Bingo Card 🎬🦹‍♂️ Often cast as the villain (or as he jokingly calls it, the “useless assistant”), Kyle shares why verticals offer him something traditional horizontal films often don’t: creative freedom in shaping his characters.🌍 What’s still on his bucket list? Shooting outside of Los Angeles—and even outside the U.S. With a China visa already secured, he’s more than ready for his next international adventure ✈️🎞️ From dreaming about black-and-white 1940s-style verticals to exploring period pieces, the Wild West 🤠 or even outer space 🚀—nothing seems off-limits.💸 And why are CEO storylines sometimes less believable than werewolves 🐺 or vampires 🧛? Because let’s be honest… who actually plays poker for $10 billion?Get ready for an entertaining conversation full of insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and experiences from over 50 productions—this is one episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧✨Some Verticsls with Kyle Colton:Assemble My Avenging Billionaires (@goodshortdrama)Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death (@reelshortapp)Mafia Boss's Obsessed Love (@dramabox_official)Daddy I'm Your Lucky Star! (@reelshortapp)My Teenage Great-Grandma (@netshortdrama)

1h 15m
MAR 21

73 - Michael J. Gwynn - From Vertical Father Figures to the Wild West 🤠

🎙️ From the very beginning, it was a perfect match – Michaela & Michael.Maybe it started with the name 😉… but in this episode, you’ll quickly realize there’s much more connecting us than just that.In this latest episode, I’m talking to Michael J. Gwynn @michaeljgwynn , a true Patriarch of the vertical space 🎬He’s well known for portraying a wide range of father figures – from warm and caring to loud, intense, and intimidating. That versatility is exactly what makes him stand out.With years of experience in vertical storytelling, Michael shares his honest insights:✨ What’s working in the vertical world⚡ What still needs improvemen🚀 And where the space is heading nextOne thing matters most to him on set: teamwork 🤝Even when things get hectic, people meet for the first time, and chaos is part of the process – he firmly believes: Teamwork makes the dream work.And what’s still on his personal “vertical bingo card”? 🎯🏒 As a passionate ice hockey player, he’d love to take on a role in a hockey-themed vertical⏳ Plus, he dreams of shooting period pieces and even stepping into the Wild WestAs a bonus, you’ll also get a mini German lesson 🇩🇪Michael used to live in Bavaria and still drops a few German words along the way.And how do we end up with him launching a billionaire search for me? 😄Well… you’ll have to tune in to find out.👉 Don’t miss this episode! 🎧✨Some Verticals with Michael J. Gwynn:My Wedding, Your Biggest Regret (@playletshort)From Zero to Hero: My Super-Vision Husband (@dramawave_official)My Scar, His Debt to Pay (@reelshortapp)Napolitana for the Mafia Boss (SHRT)If Only You Loved Me More (@dramabox_us)

1h 27m
MAR 18

72 - Fantalk - Amanda (amandas_verticalvibes) - Hospital Drama and Mafia pleasures...

It’s time for another Fan Talk 🎙️✨ to find out what the audience – the people actually watching verticals – really think 👀 In this episode, I sat down with Amanda 💬 We talked about her preferences when it comes to verticals, the genre she’s especially drawn to 🎭 and what she’s less likely to watch these days 🚫 Her reviews mainly focus on “older” verticals – although, as she points out, that term isn’t entirely accurate. It’s really just about shows that aren’t brand new releases 🕰️ As someone working in healthcare 🏥, we also had to dive into the sometimes questionable realism of hospital scenes 🤔 as well as the desire for more Part II follow-ups ➡️ and clearer trigger warnings ⚠️ We also explored why kids in verticals aren’t exactly a “must tune in” for her 👶❌ and why interactive formats don’t really appeal to her either 🎮 And of course – who does get her to hit play when it comes to vampire 🧛‍♂️ and werewolf 🐺 verticals? A Fan Talk packed with honest audience insights 💡 that you definitely don’t want to miss 🔥🎧

1h 12m
MAR 14

71 - Richard Sharrah - The Luke Skywalker for the Vertical World...

His life almost sounds like a fairytale ✨. He even married a real (Disney) princess 👑 and together they have three wonderful children.Richard Sharrah sat down with me for a conversation about his love for acting 🎭, his experiences on set 🎬, his life, and his plans for the future 🚀.He has taken the Vertical world and its audience by storm 🌍📱. His trademark in Vertical series? Father roles. As we discovered, not always the loving kind – for example in “Mommy Don’t Cry Daddy Is Sorry.” These roles perfectly showcase Richard’s incredible range as an actor 🎭✨. One of his personal highlights in 2025 was his first Vertical shoot together with his son Maverick 👦🎬 – a very special and meaningful experience for him.The actor and businessman with an MBA 🎓💼, who until recently was under an exclusive contract with ReelShort, ended that exclusivity in early 2026 to the delight of many fans 🙌. Now he’s ready to conquer the entire Vertical world – including international productions 🌎🎥.During our conversation, filled with laughter and humor, Richard and I also create a little “To Do / To Visit” list for 2026 📝. Besides filming in Europe 🇪🇺🎬, I invite the half-German actor to visit his homeland again 🇩🇪 – maybe for my Soundgarden or for another magical Christmas market tour in winter 🎄☕✨.Even before the recording started 🎙️, our conversation had already developed a wonderful depth and connection. We talked not only about career and projects, but also about life itself – about the importance of self-care 🧘‍♂️ and the beauty of living in the moment 🌅.Just to be clear: if Richard suddenly shows up with a new tattoo in the near future 🖊️😅, that idea was entirely his. Jessica @jessicasharrah , I take absolutely no responsibility for it. 😉A wonderful conversation about life 💫, the love of living ❤️, and big visions 🚀.This is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss! 🎙️🔥Some Verticals with Richard SharrahMy New Daddy is a Five-Star General (@goodshortdrama)Daddy I'm Your Lucky Star! (@reelshortapp)Someone Loved Is Never Lost (@reelshortapp)America's Favorite Ex-Husband (@reelshortapp)Daisy Tucker and Mr. NYC (@reelshortapp)

1h 1m
MAR 11

70 - Harrison Keen - 2026 Harrison goes romantic (in Verticals)...

🌏 As we all know, Down Under has caught the Vertical fever too – which makes it the perfect time to sit down with another Australian Vertical actor: Harrison Keen. The 2025 Rising Star nominee and I talk about the many opportunities that Vertical series have opened up for actors. From working abroad in China and Istanbul to what it was like filming a Vertical production in Australia – complete with an authentic Australian accent. 🇦🇺🎬 Want to know which natural skills Harrison believes make him a perfect villain? He reveals them exclusively in this episode. 😈 Even though he sees himself more as a villain-type actor, he’s now also trying to move into the romantic lane and establish himself as a heroic romantic lead. ❤️ But how well does that work when you have a natural tendency toward darker characters? As I quickly learn during our conversation: not that easily 😂 Harrison also shares how he approaches every character he plays — trying to truly understand them and make them his own in order to portray them as authentically as possible. Sometimes that process can be quite challenging. And his ultimate dream role in a Vertical series? A serial killer. 🔪 How that fits together with “romantic” is something we try to figure out together in this episode. Did we find a solution? You’ll have to listen to find out. ✨ 2026 – Harrison Keen goes romantic! 🎧 Enjoy the episode! Some Verticals with Harrison Keen Flash Marriage to My Billionaire Hobo Hubby (Kalos TV) Runaway Prince Secret Vacation (Vigloo) The Summer I Turned Bad (Dramapops) The Mafias Unwanted Blind Savior (Minishort) Heiress Return: Boss's Defense & Love (Startdust TV)

1h 34m
MAR 7

69 - Toby S Pruett - Stunts, Sets & Straight Talk...

Today, a supporting actor finally steps into the spotlight he has long deserved — Toby S. Pruett ✨🎬 With plenty of wit and charm, we dive into the many chapters of his journey before entering the Vertical Space. From playing a pirate in a theme park 🏴‍☠️ to working as a health manager on set 🩺, to performing as a stuntman in high-energy stunt shows 💥 — Toby’s career path is anything but ordinary. His very first steps in Verticals? Straight into the role of an Alpha in a werewolf world 🐺 — without having the slightest idea what this universe was even about at the time! Toby was also part of the Vertical that pulled thousands of fans into the space: The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband💍💼 — a project that helped shape the industry’s growing popularity. Since then, he has taken on numerous roles across different Verticals and shares fascinating insights into the unique experiences actors face in this fast-moving space. Of course, we also talk about the big topic everyone’s curious about — money 💰. Toby offers exclusive insights into where there’s still room for improvement and what changes he hopes to see in the future. With his extensive stunt background, Toby could easily step into a stunt coordinator role on a Vertical set 🎥🔥 — and who knows, maybe we’ll soon see him not only in front of the camera, but leading the action behind it as well. This episode is honest, entertaining, and full of behind-the-scenes stories you don’t want to miss 🎙️🚀 Some Verticals with Toby S Pruett: When we meet again (Dramawave) The Fake Debutante and the True Billionaire (reellvibe.com) The Heiress Rises from Ashes (Netshort) Big Bad Daddy Your Busted! (Dramabox) Mafia MAMAs Revenge (Joyreel)

1h 35m
MAR 4

68 - Alexandria Watts - Titanic Dreams & Finding the Vertical Spotlight...

🎙️✨ Just before the New Year, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alexandria Watts to talk about her journey as an actress, her work in Verticals, and her growing passion for writing. As a child, she was completely mesmerized by Titanic 🚢 — so much so that she even took classes about it! Her dream job back then? Oceanographer 🌊🔬. That dream lasted until her mother signed her up for a theater class… and everything changed. Despite insisting (and laughing about it!) that she absolutely cannot sing 🎶🚫 — especially not in front of an audience — the very first role she ever auditioned for was in musical theater. And to everyone’s surprise (especially her own!) she booked it. ✨👏 After spending several years in New York 🗽, she eventually made the move to Los Angeles 🌴🎬, where she immersed herself deeper and deeper into the world of Verticals and micro-dramas. Would she love to shoot in Europe or Asia? Absolutely. 🌍❤️ The only thing holding her back? Her fear of flying ✈️😅 That’s why conquering that fear is officially on her 2026 bucket list — because she’s ready to explore the big, wide (Vertical) world beyond the U.S. Being quite tall, she also shares some funny on-set realities: it’s not uncommon for her to be taller than her male co-leads — especially in heels 👠 — which means the infamous Apple Box makes its regular appearance. 📦😄 Her creativity doesn’t stop at acting. She’s also stepped into writing, creating her own Vertical that was eventually produced with her in the lead role: Frozen Hearts and Fiery Love (ShortMax). ❤️🔥 Her biggest wish for the Vertical space? More rom-coms. More comedy. 🎭💕 “There’s enough drama in real life — it’s time for more fun and entertainment.” And trust me — you don’t want to miss what else the passionate hobby baker 🍰✨ and I talked about in this episode! 🎧 Tune in now! Some Verticals with Alexandria Watts Wild Silence (MyDrama) Daddy save me (FlareFlow) Blossom with Gun Taming a Mafia Puppy (Goodshort) Frozen Wife, Unfrozen Revenge (Moboreels) 30 Years Frozen: Emergency Rescue (Netshort)

1h 7m

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc. Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides. Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

Creator

Michaela Bergmann
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

76
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Michaela Bergmann
Show Website

Let's talk about Verticals