Game of Life Podcast

Dan is joined by yet another Crazy Ex-Girlfriend alumni, actor, improviser, and television's Pete Gardner without the signature moustache! This was a real fun one! Pete answers questions left behind from Vinnie & Michael. We discuss wanting to be close to funny, putting the focus on your scene partner, becoming the dance captain on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the initial intimidation of singing &...

Dan is joined by another Crazy Ex-Girlfriend alumni, actor & writer, Michael McMillian! We chat about missing Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the cast text chain, perfect timing for the final season, the seriousness of the show, the supporting cast, the difficulty of filming the "Group Mind" number, feeling nervous about dancing, not wanting a talent for drawing go to waste, being the school cartoonist,...

Dan is joined by actor, singer, dancer Vincent Rodriguez III, yes, indeed, a triple threat. This is an epic conversation, so strap in! Vinnie most notably played Josh Chan in the musical comedy series, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend created by Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna. We chat about getting the gig on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the positive impact of the show, magic reminding us of the wonder in the...

Dan is joined by actress, Betsy Brandt who most notably portrayed Marie from both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. We chat about appearing in the series finale of Better Call Saul, getting some closure for Marie, the authentic relationship between Hank & Marie in Breaking Bad, finding new families after Breaking Bad ended, watching & learning, admiring others, holding your own, becoming...

Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar, Alex Given coming live from London! We chat about getting a job as a dancer on the Wonka movie, breaking the film set, feeling pigeonholed, flying to the UK with only $1000 in the bank to audition for Book of Mormon, making the decision to move to London, the differences between working in Australia & the UK, touring internationally, the importance o...

Dan is joined by son of the Great Bird of the Galaxy, producer and CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment, Rod Roddenberry! This was quite the fascinating and constructive conversation. We chat about the day in the life of Rod, having means & opportunity, Rod's journey of discovery as it relates to Star Trek, not loving the industry, the whole point of Star Trek, the human race & life, falling i...

Dan is joined by yet another Battlestar Galactica alumni, Tahmoh Penikett! Tahmoh answers a question from Aaron Douglas. We go on to discuss Tahmoh's love for science fiction, the initial discomfort at conventions, the momentum & longevity of Battlestar Galactica, moving on from Battlestar, forging bonds, passion & commitment to his BSG character Helo, fearlessness, writing an email to the...

Dan is joined by actor, Aaron Douglas, another Battlestar Galactica alumni! Aaron answers a question from Jamie Bamber. We also talk about conventions, finding moments of humour, the initial confusion of the fan response, wanting to be a lawyer in high school, getting into acting late, getting the Battlestar Galactica gig, saying your lines as simply as you can, making it up as you go, compliments...

Dan is joined by actor, Jamie Bamber and also the first person on the podcast to be zooming in from the UK! We chat about his outstanding short lived TV show Monday Mornings, withstanding the disappointments, the pressure that goes along with being a lead in a television series, hoops of judgment, taking on a leadership role, working with Edward James Olmos & Mary McDonnell, the impact of Batt...

Dan is joined by spectacular performer, Ainsley Melham recorded before the announcement he would be making his way back to Australia from New York to take over the role of Fiyero in the Melbourne production of Wicked! We chat about living life in New York, filming Aladdin in the UK, first job performing with Hi-5, the moment Ainsley was able to step up as a young adult, the evolution of confidence...

Dan is joined by actor, and Melbourne boy, Evan Evagora live from Hawaii! We discuss living in Hawaii, missing Australia, the initial nerves of working on Star Trek: Picard acting opposite Patrick Stewart, fan response, finding out Elnor wouldn't return for a third season, a potential Elnor Anime-like spinoff, the biggest takeaway from Star Trek: Picard, not feeling anything is out of reach, model...

Dan is joined by magician and all round talented, Eric Leclerc in a very fun episode of the podcast! We talk about the Penn & Teller: Fool Us appearance, realising that styrofoam peanuts aren't easy to clean, messing up tricks, the work it takes to create a new trick, mentoring younger magicians, the moment Eric fell in love with magic, the chaotic magic room, having a steady stream of work, t...

Dan is joined by Randy Disher himself, Jason Gray-Stanford! We get into a LOT of MONK talk! This was quite the energetic conversation. We chat about about Jason's work on Stargate, working with Amanda Tapping again, the making of the MONK movie, slipping back into the character of Randy Disher, everyone being a little bit OCD, the success of MONK, reasoning behind Jason starting up his own podcast...

Dan has a chat with actor Wilson Cruz, recorded at the time with only two episodes left of Star Trek: Discovery, in which Wilson portrays Dr. Hugh Culber. Another wonderfully open, honest, and raw conversation of living life as a creative. . We talk about the end of Star Trek: Discovery, the response from the Trek fanbase, the cinematic feel of Discovery, thriving on pressure & anxiety, giving...

Dan is joined by actor, musician, singer, director, producer, visual artist, Thomas Dekker. This was such a fun, open, and honest chat. Loved talking to Thomas! Such a lovely human. We talk about his appearance in Star Trek: Picard Season 3, memories of working on films as a kid, working with John Carpenter, wanting to become a director, not having pushy stage parents, the moment he thought he was...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 12 as Dan is joined by an actor you've seen in a million things, including Groundhog Day.... the movie! Stephen Tobolowsky who played Ned Ryerson in the film comes onto the podcast in a bonus episode within this series of episodes. We talk about whether or not Stephen has seen the musical, being asked to be in Groundhog Day (again) in London, Stephen's though...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 11 as Dan is joined by the one and only Tim Minchin! We talk about Tim's comedy rock star status, the impact of Groundhog Day, delivering meaning and theme in art, seeing the good in the bad, learning to be present in the beauty of now, curating your circle of pain, the limited Groundhog Day runs, digging deep into the text, the Australian cast, Tim's thought...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 10 as Dan is joined by Michael Lindner (Jenson) We chat about why I'm collecting the cast members from Groundhog Day, the life lessons from the show, relief after getting the job on Groundhog Day, self worth, loosing confidence in auditions, strength in vulnerability, the learning pit, the idea behind Michael starting his own podcast, the healing experience o...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 9 as Dan is joined by Grant Almirall (Ensemble/Hot Dog Guy) We talk about Grant's character name, life after the show, fans flying in to see the show, savouring every second of the last few shows, being in a in-between stage in his career, the road getting to Australia, a love for animation, playing the saxophone, following the flow of things, studying in Sou...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 8 as Dan is joined by Madison Green (Swing) and Kate Cole (Ensemble/Piano Teacher and no relation to Rachel Cole) We chat about life after the show, the Groundhog Day group chat, the opportunity to watch the show, the joys of working with this cast, Andy & Elise's leadership, closing night, Andy's cry on stage in the last show, stage mishaps, the costume...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 7 as Dan is joined by Matthew Hamilton (the Sheriff). Matt also went on as Ned Ryerson AND Phil Connors! We chat about what it was like running into Kaya, getting straight back into life after Groundhog Day, the specialness of the show, rehearsing the show, covering for Phil Connors, stepping in for Phil unexpectedly when Andy Karl was off, being in the momen...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 6 as Dan is joined by Kaya Byrne (Larry). We discuss being OK with the show ending, the first Tuesday without the show, exploring other opportunities with your own work, working on Gilligan's Island with former guest of the show, Riley Nottingham, being hit in the face on stage, surprises on stage, forgetting his camera on Groundhog Day, the power of Groundho...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 5 as Dan is joined by Tim Wright (Ned Ryerson) & Etuate Lutui (Jonathan/Deputy). We open with Tim & Etuate's thoughts on being only a few shows away from closing night, the unexpected love for Groundhog Day, the life changing experience from Groundhog Day, being grateful for the show, living your best life, Tim's Ned Ryerson, Etuate's Hamilton gig, en...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 4 as Dan is joined by Jacob Steen (Fred) and Jacob's Mum, Hope! We talk about the idea behind Jacob wanting to bring his Mum onto the podcast, getting Hope's thoughts on being asked to come onto a podcast, watching Jacob's career journey up to this point, pulling off the repetition in Groundhog Day, the craziness of being in a Tim Minchin show, the spontaneit...

Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 3 as Dan is joined by Benjamin Colley, one of the swing's on the show. We talk about the fast turnaround time getting Groundhog Day, the overlap period of working on A Christmas Carol to rehearsing for Groundhog Day, the importance of ensemble, a sense of community within the Groundhog Day company, the theatre fan culture in Australia, getting gifts, treating...