The DTALKS Podcast

Ooooh boy do we have a good one for you this week! Though Thanksgiving is on Thursday we definitely have an episode you're going to want to dig into!  In this episode Joe welcomes famous actor (and good friend) Paul T. Taylor on the podcast! Joe and Paul get into a deep discussion on the art of acting. They dig into Paul's career, the lessons he's learned along the way, and how performing the role...

In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes author and actor Dana L. Davis to the podcast! Joe and Dana discuss life, representation in the media, and the art of storytelling. They also get into an in-depth conversation about her latest book "Somebody That I Used To Know". Enjoy! About Dana L. Davis Dana L. Davis is a novelist and Hollywood actress with previous series regular roles as: Carmen Phi...

What does art mean to you? Are you too hung up on 'what other people will think' to allow yourself to  just be ? In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to Australian author and illustrator Shaun Tan about these very topics. Shaun originally came on the podcast to discuss his latest book 'Creature' and then the conversation wove into something far deeper and expansive than either Shaun or Joe int...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! In this super spooky episode of the podcast we welcome back actor Rebekah Kennedy to discuss her latest role, Masha, in the film 'Two Witches'. It's definitely a super spooky film and worth your time this Halloween season. Enjoy! About Rebekah Kennedy Rebekah Kennedy, born in Texas, began acting on the stage. Rebekah spent all of her time doing theatre and it wasn't until after...

Woooo! I really  really hope you enjoy long-form deep dive discussions on obscure corners of the Animorphs universe because that's what's in store for today's episode! Seriously though, author Alison Ames is on the podcast to discuss her  killer book "It Looks Like Us" which is, OMG, just the  most perfect book if you grew up reading Animorph books, and is a great book as we etch ever closer to Ha...

It's National Coming Out Day! October 11 is considered National Coming Out Day in the United States. The day was first observed on October 11, 1988, on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights as a reminder that one of the most basic tools is the power of coming out.  How fitting it is, that on today's episode Joe talks to Lauren Flans , co-host of the ever po...

Booooooo! It's October which means we are right in the midst of Spooky Season! To kick-off October we've got author and former guest Ally Malinenko returning to the podcast to promote her latest book "This Appearing House"! Joe and Ally get into a discussion about navigating trauma, how haunted houses have been utilized in stories over the years, and how to provide kids the resources needed to nav...

It's time to hop in the way back machine and revisit a classic character from your childhood! Well, a classic character from Joe's childhood at least. In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes actor Johnny Green to the podcast. Johnny was the "skateboard kid" in the first Back to the Future movie but is perhaps most famous as the antagonistic bully Derrick Cryder on the tv show 'McGee and Me' wh...

How do you want to be remembered?  In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to author and illustrator Katie Yamasaki about her latest book 'Shapes, Lines, and Light' a book which honors her grandfather famed architect Minoru Yamasaki.  Joe and Katie get into a discussion about art, representation in media, and how to leave a legacy. It's a fantastic conversation you will thoroughly enjoy!  About K...

In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes SYLVIE to the podcast! Yes, that's right - the wonderful children's author and illustrator Sylvie Kantorovitz comes on the podcast to discuss her self-titled memoir. Sylvie and Joe get into a discussion about art and artists, they detail what first drew Sylvie to art as a young child growing up in France, and how ultimately 'Sylvie' came to be published....

Because you've got to have FAITH! In this episode of the podcast we  do not cover WHAM or anything else George Michael-related. However, we DO talk about the incredible book recently released by noteworthy author, Christopher B. Owen . Faith is described as 'a romance beyond belief', it tells the story of Aaron (an atheist) falling in love with Faith (a Christian) and how their friends + family tr...

ORDER UP!!! In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes famed Vegan Chef Josie Clemens to the podcast! Joe & Josie discuss her time on Hell's Kitchen, her latest show Peeled (the only 100% Vegan Cooking Competition show!) and discuss how we can all take steps to reduce our environmental impact.  Chef Josie was an utter delight to have on the podcast and I cannot wait to have her back on ( and I ca...

Are you feeling frustrated because you spilled your coffee and are now late for work? Is this a big problem or a little problem? These types of questions are what today's guest Ben Feller addresses in his first ever book " Big Problems, Little Problems ". On this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes Ben to the show to discuss his book, how this philosophy can help both parents and their kids, and w...

What is the responsibility of artists? What does the role of art play in all humankind? How does a conversation between two people who only met one time get so deep in 60 minutes? All this and more in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast! In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes actor (and friend) Franklin Killian to the podcast. Joe and Franklin discuss the overall responsibility of the ar...

We're back! Thank you for being patient with us as we took a well-deserved summer vacation these past several weeks. However, we know there is always work to be done to make a more inclusive world and are right back at it again! We're thrilled to welcome Dave Wilk to the podcast for our first episode back!  Dave is one of the co-founder's of Four Day Weekend and he and Joe talk about how a 6 week...

Do you smell that delicious smell? It's a delicious batch of cookies that The Reverend Shawn Amos is cooking up in his new book 'Cookies & Milk'!  Amos is on the show this week to discuss his book, a fictionalized re-telling of his childhood growing up as the son of Wally 'Famous' Amos and opening up the infamous cookie shop back in the 70's.  We get into a discussion about the book, all of his la...

NARF!  In this episode of the podcast Joe has the distinct pleasure of talking to legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen ! Rob discusses his early forays into voice acting, the Animaniacs revival, and how he perservered after being diagnosed with throat cancer.  Check it out and listen for Joe's updated 'Pinky & the Brain' lyrics right at the top of the episode. Enjoy! About Rob Paulsen Rob Paulsen is...

When was the last time you started a new skill in high school and then decided 'yeah, I can go pro.'!? Or when was the last time you were told 'if you win you're in, if you lose, you're traded'!? Or how about marching down to the front office to get your missing pay check only to find out your head coach has been withholding pay due to 'poor performance'!? And let's not even mention the dancing! I...

In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to illustrator & artist Eric Wilkerson .  Joe and Eric get into a discussion about art, representation in media, and how Eric used his daughter as inspiration for his first picture book 'I Color Myself Different' written by Colin Kaepernick. Enjoy! About Eric Wilkerson Eric Wilkerson is a Chesley Award-winning illustrator and concept artist whose client lis...

In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to the absolutely fabulous Daphne Maxwell Reid! Ms. Reid comes on the show to discuss her fashion line, her photography books, and of course her storied acting career.  It's a fantastic conversation I know you're going to enjoy! About Daphne Maxwell Reid Everyone remembers  Daphne   Maxwell   Reid  as an iconic TV mom of the 1990s, from her three seasons as...

Plaaaaaaaay baaaaaaall!  Baseball season has started here in America and what better way to kick-off the season than by enjoying this episode of the podcast! Author John Rosengren stops by the show to discuss his latest book: "Classic Baseball: Timeless Tales, Immortal Moments." Joe and John cover just a few of the stories covered in John's latest classic. Come listen to this episode, pick up the...

In this current cultural climate, with so many different ways to divide ourselves into separate camps how can we possibly find a way forward, together? In this episode of the podcast I welcome back author, theologian, and good friend Brian McLaren to the podcast.  Brian and I discuss his latest book "Do I Stay Christian?" (May 24, 2022) and how he has provided a guide for navigating these interest...

Get ready for a DYNAMITE of an episode. It's truly smooth like butter! Get ready to scream BOOMBAYAH! Because this episode of The DTALKS Podcast is all about K-Pop! A revolution of K-Pop to be precise! On this episode of the podcast we welcome author Stephan Lee on the show to talk about his two books: K-Pop Confidential (which released back in 2020) and K-Pop Revolution (which is releasing now!)...

In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to dynamic duo author Korey Watari and Illustrator Mike Wu about their book "I Am Able to Shine"!  It's a timely conversation here at the end of Women's History Month about the lessons we can teach our daughters. We also get into a discussion around AAPI Heritage Month in May (when this book releases) as well representation in general.  You may even shed a...

Is Gato a cat? No, Gato is Gato! That is the premise of the book "Not a Cat" and on this week's episode of the podcast author Winter Miller is on the show to discuss it.  We get into a discussion about the book, who Gato was, and I even get a chance to discuss my own personal furry friend, Merlin. Enjoy! About Winter Miller Winter   Miller  is a playwright who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She is a...