Spotlight Conversations

Today in Houston for the first of my short mini-series on tech + media! This month's special episode starts with The High Tech Texan, known around town as Michael Garfield - and oh does he understand technology! But more than tech, he's also hip to lifestyle, too - so there's plenty to talk about in the studio from this television personality and radio host! (hear more on Michael&ap...

In the studio up near Dallas today talking with one of the most versatile guitar players in rock music - Andy Timmons . From his rock roots to his trademark melodic playing on songs from his new CD 'Recovery'; to touring with his 80's glam metal band 'Danger Danger' (and opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper!) Andy gives a glimpse into the world of rock and roll and what it&ap...

In the studio with blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, talking about his new music with blues legend Bobby Rush called  'Old Fashioned Ways', where the music not only spans generations, it brings two legends together in the studio that is special in every blues rock way possible. We also talk about his tour with Bobby;  the early days of teaching himself how to play the guitar, pl...

In Los Angeles to today, chatting with Jamie Jamitkowski, Senior Marketing Manager at Propstore, one of the world's leading film and television memorabilia auction houses . Their first major live auction of 2025 is happening March 26 - March 28 (for guests both in LA and online), so if you are a film fanatic, you gotta be there! From the incredible sets of Ghostbusters to Top Gun, Star Wars t...

Studio ready in Los Angeles today with Emmy Award winning producer and writer Rick Mitchell ( The Ellen DeGeneres Show/TMZ ) to talk about his new book 'How To Write A Funny Speech...for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want To Go to in the First Place' - yes, he does cover all those nerve wracking/speech making events! Co-written with Emmy and G...

Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC , the English pop band from the '80s who mixed a bit 'o disco funk, rhythm and blues along with their cool post-punk sound - 'Poison Arrow', 'The Look Of Love', 'When Smokey SIngs' - stops by the studio to talk about music and his upcoming tour with Howard Jones! He also gives us the details about his new autobiography (availab...

In San Francisco this week with noted author and journalist Maria Castellucci Moore, as we talk about her new children's book 'Sophia In Rome'. This second book in her traveling mindfulness series shows how the world around us can inspire curiosity, wonder and surprise whether traveling abroad or right in our own back yard! We also discuss what inspires her as a writer, her love of...

Find learning new things difficult? Can't seem to "grasp the material" when it comes to understanding that new way of doing your old job? Relax already! Author, teacher and inventor Gary Dean Petersen stops by the studio to talk about how to answer those questions and more. His award winning book 'The Self-education Manual' presents a logical learning system of proven stud...

In Boston today with entertainment journalist Tripp Whetsell, author of the new book 'Norman Lear: His Life & Times'. A passionate fan of every show Lear created and produced, Whetsell takes us behind the scenes of American retro television and Lear's inspiration for his legendary comedy series All In The Family , Maude , Sanford and Son , The Jeffersons , Mary Hartman, Mary Har...

Visiting London In the studio today with ' The 286 ', a visionary band mixing rock and roll guitar riffs along with cellos and violins ! Sounds different - and it works! This unique sound experience is lead by guitarist Spencer Hannabuss, who discusses everything from how this special band got started, how they built their incredible fan base across the United Kingdom plus how they found...

In the studio this week with Bruce Blackman, lead singer from the iconic 70's band 'Starbuck' - talking about his music then and now - including his new single 'Jones About You'. Once you start listening to Bruce's story, you get the feeling this guy isn't slowing down for anything! We talk about how he met his college sweetheart (and the inspiration for the hit...

In the studio today with children's book author Frank Payne, who has written a true adventure story about his beloved adopted pup named Webster in ' Webster the Beagle ' (winner of the ' Mom's Choice Award and ' Readers' Favorite ' Book Review Award). Initially adopted as a hunting dog, Payne eventually discovers Webster's true calling is really the lif...

In Chicago today with children's book author Lisa Maggiore , who has paved a whole new world for herself in the world of publishing - and she's sharing her story today on the podcast! This social worker turned published author of 'Ava The Monster Slayer - Sleepover SuperHeroes', is a story for anyone who wants to overcome their fear of literally anything. Her telling of how Ava...

Meeting up in the studio with Marty Scott, guitar player with world famous Beatles tribute band 'Liverpool Legends' . With support for the band from Sir Paul McCartney and one special gig which led to Marty being hand-picked for the band by Louise Harrison (sister of the late George Harrison), let's just say great talent, luck and timing is all part of this fascinating Beatles tribu...

In the studio with writer Scott Sollers , who has written several children's books including his newest release ' A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs '. We discuss his process of writing a book - starting from idea to outline to actually writing the story, then deciding on an illustrator - to eventually finding a publisher - and as Scott says, it's...

In North Carolina with the talented photographer Bill Reaves , who is in the studio to talk about working with local Raleigh musicians Mitch Easter, Dave Adams, Don Dixon, The Woods, Terry Anderson and new artist Anya Hinkle; to photographing  music legends Tom Petty, Howie Epstein and Mike Cambell (The Heartbreakers); plus Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Dale Watson, Brad Paisley and NRBQ to name a...

In Hollywood today with the legendary George Schlatter, creator of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, an American sketch comedy television show inspired by the hippie counterculture, which aired on NBC from 1968-1973. The always vibrant (and perceptive!) 94 year old tells all about show biz - from getting the networks to pick up his shows 'Laugh-In', 'Turn On' and 'Real Peo...

In the podcast studio today with Houston's pet advocate and community leader Gloria Zenteno, who along with her many volunteers work tirelessly for Barrio Dogs - an organization she started which helps Houston create a better future for animals. Gloria talks about her journey from leaving the corporate world of nearly 30 years to finding her true calling as an animal advocate; working alongsi...

Covering sports today with NBC reporter and producer Mark Barger about The Olympic Games in Paris, along with his personal stories from Olympic days gone by. The 30 year broadcast veteran discusses the games in Torino, Sydney, Tokyo and Beijing as well as Paris; what his day to day job is like this summer - and adds a bit of broadcasting advice on what it takes to be successful in television. Join...

In Hollywood with the talented journalist and movie critic Grae Drake who tells all about starting a career in show biz where EVERYBODY is starting a career in show biz! Listen in as we talk about her interviews with Channing Tatum (yes, there's a lap dance story and it's legit); Ryan Gosling and duck towels (you have to hear it to believe it!) plus one of the most talked about quirky te...

Visiting New York today to chat with author Holly George-Warren , to talk about her latest book 'Dolly Parton Behind the Seams - My Life in Rhinestones', the backstory about Parton's iconic wardrobe. The two time Grammy nominated writer and former book editor for Rolling Stone Magazine, has written other biographies including "Janis: Her Life and Music' (2019); 'A Man...

Staying awhile in Hollywood to talk with legendary game show announcer - and author - Randy West ('The Price Is Right', 'Supermarket Sweep') talks about leaving New York to start both a radio and television career to working with game show greats like Dick Clark, Bob Barker, Bob Eubanks and the amazing Johnny Olsen, and all the success stories in between, it's an entertain...

Today I'm combining North Dakota, North Carolina and California in one special podcast with actor Steve Gelder , who's recently wrapped up a cool gig as 'Dr. Bob' in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" (Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith) a theatre production about the founders of 'Alcoholics Anonymous'. The production recently wrapped up in Chicago ( catch the great review in...

In New York today with talent manager Hoss of Hoss Managemen t, a legendary organization which has seen a lotta premier radio and voice talent come through their doors! Starting his agency career right out of college by working with Howard Stern's agent Don Buchwald, eventually setting up shop at Atlas Talent and CESD Talent before starting his own company, Hoss explains the ups and downs of...

Today we're talking all about cool art media and skateboard parks in North Houston with Sally Bradford,  Executive Director for the North Houston Development Corporation . Art pieces are found all around the city of Houston, and Rockstar Energy Bike Park is no exception! Sally is a continuing force behind the scenes, choosing most of the art for children's parts and skateparks - 23 publi...