Commendable Commotion

The second episode of a deep-dive into Thomas Crooks, who tried to assassinate Donald Trump in July 2024. Partial list of sources used: 'Bethel Park municipal website hacked'. CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA) . March 21st, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw2x9-C5ack 'Weapons, drugs and explosive devices discovered in Bethel Park home, police say'. WTAE-TV (ABC) Pittsburgh . June 7th, 2022. https://www....

I was a guest on the latest episode of Steven Snider's podcast 'The Farm'. In the episode, re-uploaded here, I described my recent meeting with Stanley Kubrick's personal assistant, Emilio D'Alessandro. I told Steven about the bizarre, creepy events that befell the production of Kubrick's final film, 'Eyes Wide Shut', as related to me by Emilio in the Summer of 2025 when I travelled to Cassino, It...

The opening overture to a deep examination of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate Donald Trump on July 13th 2024. Partial list of sources used for this episode: WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Channel 4 Action News. July 13th 2024 broadcast. 'Police comb through Thomas Matthew Crooks' van that hid explosives, video shows'. Fox News, July 18th 2024. Dr. James D. Frizzi nomination. Journal of the Ex...

Filmmakers Vinnie Vineyard and Luke Walker give their advice on independent production, particularly distribution and scriptwriting. My documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was' is coming very soon. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIXOmvQPj8 Also check out Vinnie and Luke's film company, Big N Funky Productions . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

A new side of renowned writer Hunter S. Thompson is presented here exclusively. We talk to Henry Vinson, convicted in 1990 for running a large “male escort service” in Washington D.C. For the first time, he describes his interactions with Thompson, & the late Gonzo journalist’s close friendship with disgraced lobbyist (& purported CIA asset) Craig J. Spence. Afterwards, we talk to Zach Glenn of th...

Today I talk to Dr. Alexander Reid Ross from Portland State University. He writes and hosts the excellent Years of Lead Podcast, examining Italy’s turbulent Cold War years and the murky, covert forces in the background. We also discuss two filmmakers who have made interesting movies relating to Italy’s Years of Lead- Alan Francovitch and Pier Paolo Pasolini. The Years of Lead Podcast: https://open...

In this preview for my upcoming project, 'The Panic in Bethel Park', journalist Ken Silva relates a small but significant new detail he recently uncovered about the investigation into the July 13th 2024 assassination attempt of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Follow me for updates on this work-in-progress, and follow Ken Silva on X: https://x.com/JD_Cashless Music: ‘Identity Crisis’ and ‘For...

On September 21st, I gave a talk prior to the premiere of my new documentary ‘Mothman: The Film That Never Was’. The event took place at the 2024 Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The audience consisted mainly of festival attendees from elsewhere in the United States, several from West Virginia. There were also some locals present, and two actors from the film even made a surprise...

With Halloween coming up, filmmaker Tom L. Byron talks to me about 'Clack Mountain', a mysterious landmark near his home in Morehead, Kentucky. Strange tales of devil worship have surrounded this place for years. You'll also hear the strange story of a local woman named Donna Markwell, who was murdered on the mountain in the 1980s, and the mysterious death of her killer, Alexander Bowling. Partial...

In anticipation of my upcoming documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was', now's a good time to upload this chat between myself and Mark Lopez. Mark is a former West Virginia and Ohio resident who assisted me greatly in filming the Ohio Valley region for my documentary. Check out his YouTube channel below: Come One Come All Check out my recent interview on The Nick Bryant Podcast: https://www....

Journalist Nick Bryant, who published Jeffrey Epstein's contact book in 2015, talks to me about his new book 'The Truth About Watergate'. Make sure to follow @The Nick Bryant Podcast Check out the trailer for my upcoming documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIXOmvQPj8&t=6s This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wi...

Tennessee-based filmmaker William 'Wilky' Fain joins me to give advice on all stages of film production, from prep to post. Check out Wilky's work below: https://www.facebook.com/williamfainproductions Follow me on the socials for updates about my upcoming documentary 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was': https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085030901599 https://twitter.com...

Today I talk to 'Cian', creator and host of the Wide Atlantic Weird podcast. It's a brilliant podcast where the facts behind creepy legends are examined to determine the veracity of said legends. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts! Look out for my upcoming documentary, 'Mothman: The Film That Never Was'. Follow Commendable Commotion on...

Robin Ramsay, co-founder and editor of Lobster Magazine, talks about how he started out in journalism and when his publication gained national attention in the 1980s for its coverage of a mysterious political scandal. Robin's appearance in 'After Dark' (1988): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HaOfQswPOo Subscribe to Commendable Commotion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKW...

Part two of my interview with George, the lead researcher at CAVDEF.org . George walks us through a second example of a 'Deep Crime' with multiple layers- the tragic JonBenét Ramsey case. Follow George on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAVDEF_George Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates on upcoming projects: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085...

George from CAVDEF.org talks about the concept of "Deep Crime" and the extraordinary work he has undertaken investigating parapolitics and true crime. Part one of two. CAVDEF: https://cavdef.org George from CAVDEF on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAVDEF_George Follow Commendable Commotion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085030901599 https://t...

John Lordan, creator & host of the true crime YouTube channel LordanArts, reflects on his career & his in-depth investigation into the tragic death of Canadian tourist Elisa Lam. John also talks about when he was interviewed for the Netflix documentary 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel', which examined the Elisa Lam case. Subscribe to LordanArts on YouTube: https://www...

Filmmaker Wing Flanagan talks about his childhood discovery of cinema, his short film 'Kanashimi' & submitting movies to international festivals. Wing also describes what he saw while visiting the set of the iconic 1983 movie 'Scarface'. Subscribe to Wing Flanagan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wingflanagan/featured Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter, Facebook &...

Writer Nick Bryant, the man who published Jeffrey Epstein's contact book in 2015, talks about why he started his podcast & about the very dark topics he & his guests examine on it. Nick also reflects on when he was the focus of a 2019 Vanity Fair piece commending his work, & offers advice for aspiring journalists, writers & podcasters. Subscribe to The Nick Bryant Podcast: http...

Freelance theatre director Jason Byrne describes how he started directing high-profile shows in venues like Dublin's Abbey Theatre, and gives highly useful advice for aspiring creatives. Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: https://twitter.com/CommCommotion https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085030901599 https://www.instagram.com/commendablecommotion/ This i...

In this interview, theatre writer Sean MacDhonnagain talks about how he got into his craft and offers his advice to aspiring creatives. Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter & Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085030901599 https://twitter.com/CommCommotion More interviews coming soon, along with larger projects too. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this w...

Sean Moriarty is a former film and English literature student who co-runs the website Cold Coffee Press, which features reviews and essays on cinema, literature and music. Cold Coffee Press: https://coldcoffeepressblog.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR3-lF9kdn_nja17awWnPA_Ps0vpFII86LFVZxeEN-CxgT0KEcvycPcu5FA Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommCommotion Follow Commendable Com...

In this interview, I'll be talking to Nightmare Masterclass creator David Stockdale. Nightmare Masterclass is a YouTube channel that aims to end "the arbitrary divide between online horror, pop culture, and theory". David also created and hosts the podcast Nightmare Tonight. Nightmare Masterclass: https://www.youtube.com/@NightmareMasterclass Follow Commendable Commotion on Twitter:...

Eduardo Sanchez, co-director of The Blair Witch Project (1999) talks about making one of the most influential horror films of all time and his reaction to the worldwide success it received. Eduardo also gives his thoughts on a disturbing crime some say was inspired by his film, and the recently resurfaced documentary about the case titled 'The Real Blair Witch'. 'The Real Blair Witch' (2003): http...

In this interview, freelance theatre director & sound designer Ciaran Gallagher talks about his work with Headstuff.org & others, the importance of marketing & the opportunities digital technology offers to creatives. Some of Ciaran's work include the amazing audio projects 'They're Only Stories', 'Bliss' & 'Blind', co-created with Emily Gillmor Murphy. 'They're Only Stories': http...