Tom and D

We got him! Josiah Hesse —journalist, author, and a guy who’s lived through some things most people only read about. We get into his books, including Runner’s High —a deep dive into the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes and the emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating “runner’s high” they’re all chasing—and his latest, On Fire for God … a brutally honest memoir about gro...

In this episode of Tom and D , we sit down with comedian, musician, and all-around chaos agent Dave Hill —a guy who somehow manages to shred on guitar and deliver razor-sharp comedy at the exact same time. You might know Dave from touring with Tenacious D , where his unique blend of stand-up and face-melting riffs has made him a fan favorite. Or maybe you’ve seen his wildly entertaining online vid...

What happens when an AI actor completely bombs an audition? Sergio Cilli — the Emmy-winning director behind the viral “ Director Auditions AI Actor” series that’s been cracking up filmmakers, actors, and AI geeks across the internet. If you’ve seen those painfully funny videos where a director tries to audition a photorealistic AI actor and the performance goes completely off the rails… that’s Ser...

In this episode of Tom and D , we sit down with Szilvia Gogh , one of Hollywood’s top underwater stunt divers whose work spans major films like Avatar and dozens more across the globe. From growing up in communist Hungary to becoming the youngest female PADI Course Director and a key figure in underwater stunt coordination, Szilvia’s story is as fearless as it is inspiring. We talk about her new b...

Today’s guest, Parker Rice, is a photographer and NASA commercial spacesuit tech who taught astronauts how to take killer photos… in actual space. He spills the good, the bad, and the deeply gross—from building gear that works in zero gravity, to shooting jaw-dropping images on the space station, to surviving the legendary zero-G vomit spray. We also get into his wildest wildlife photography stori...

This week we kick off our 2nd season as we sit down with Husk , the quietly brilliant and quirky mind behind those social videos where AI is dropped into everyday human interactions—and comedically exposes just how weird those moments already are. By letting AI respond with total sincerity (and zero social instinct), Husk holds up a mirror to modern conversation, etiquette, and overthinking, maybe...

Marci Polzin of Artistic Talent Inc.—and Tom’s longtime voiceover agent—joins us to talk real representation, real talent, and what it actually takes to last in this business. In true Festivus fashion, we air our grievances: AI, race-to-the-bottom pricing, and the Tilly Norwoods of the world cheapening brands in the name of “innovation.” As we close out 2025, we look ahead to another year of stron...

You know him as Randy, the bundled-up little brother from the holiday classic A Christmas Story — but Ian Petrella ’s story didn’t end with “You’ll shoot your eye out.” In Part 2 , Ian joins Tom and D to dive deeper into his evolution from beloved child actor to documentary filmmaker and producer. The conversation centers on The Shark That Roared , a new documentary executive produced by Kevin Smi...

Ian Petrella—better known as Randy from A Christmas Story —joins Tom and D with unt ld stories from the set, the cast, and the fans, plus what it’s really like living in (and giving tours of) the real A Christmas Story house. From hilarious fan encounters to behind-the-scenes surprises, Ian shares it all—just in time for the annual TBS marathon of the holiday classic.

This week on Tom and D, we’re joined by Marcia Beckner —THE preeminent CEO Mentor and Culture Strategist at CultureCares.com —who helps nonprofit leaders build inclusive, connected teams and rediscover the joy in leading. Marcia shares real-world strategies for improving workplace culture, unifying teams, and addressing burnout before it takes root. Along the way, she gets a front-row seat to one...

If you’ve ever stared at a video online and thought, “Okay… but did that actually happen?” Congratulations, you’re alive in 2025. We sat down with Jeremy Carrasco — media guy, educator, and founder of Showtools.ai — whose videos have blown up online because everyone is trying to figure out what’s real anymore. Jeremy has built a massive following of people who want to know how to spot AI-generated...

In this episode of Tom and D. D brings on his longtime friend Nat Segaloff —a film historian, storyteller, and proud member of Dom DeLuise’s legendary circle of mischief-makers . Nat is known as the man between the spotlight and the shadows—where the real Hollywood stories live—Nat shares hilarious behind-the-scenes tales, insights from a lifetime in film, and a few secrets he probably shouldn’t....

Galen Clavio might just be the busiest Hoosier out there.. He’s the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, a Full Professor at The Media School at Indiana University, Director of the IU Sports Media program, and head honcho at the National Sports Journalism Center. Basically, if it involves media, students, or sports at IU — Galen’s fingerprints are on it. Oh, and one more thing… he’s also Tom’...

In this engaging episode, Dr. Michael joins us to explore how the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model is transforming the patient experience—simplifying healthcare, strengthening doctor-patient relationships, and putting the focus back where it belongs: on care. We also take a fascinating look at Grail's Galleri Test for multi-cancer early detection test (MCED) , a revolutionary advancement with the p...

Justin Giddings—better known as The Kickstarter Guy—is a filmmaker, actor, and mentor who’s helped countless people turn passion projects into reality. From raising $32K for his first film to directing a $6 million feature, Justin has lived both sides of the creative hustle and now coaches others on how to make their own dreams happen. In this episode, he shares hard-won insights on crowdfunding,...

In our previous episode, filmmaker Will Strathmann began sharing his run-in with the Hollywood Con Queen—a con that stretched across continents and careers. What followed was years of deception, an FBI hunt, headlines in the New York Times, and the unraveling of one of Hollywood’s most bizarre scandals. That story then lead to a limited doc series called The Hollywood Con Queen that details a scam...

Part 1 of our episode with Will Strathmann takes you inside the thrill of drones, shark dives, and the first twists of his run-in with the Hollywood Con Queen—continued in Part 2 in the next episode of of Tom and D .

Actor Troy Evans — that unforgettable face from ER, Bosch, Ace Ventura, and so many more — joins Tom and D for a powerful and entertaining conversation. Troy reflects on his breakout role in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, his service as a Vietnam veteran, and his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism, and even a wrongful prison sentence. He also shares warm, funny memories of John Candy and stories fro...

Strap in—this episode of Tom and D we bring you the untold ride of Kenny Passarelli. The legendary bassist who tore up stages with Joe Walsh, Elton John, Stephen Stills, Hall & Oates, and more. From the chaos of sudden fame to taking lots of LSD—and wild nights with famed Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong—Kenny takes us deep into the raw, unfiltered heart of his rock ’n’ roll life.

Emmy-winning producer and reality TV trailblazer Tom Shelly (yep, one of the original Survivor masterminds) joins us to spill stories from the wild early days—like directing America’s Most Wanted, watching the Survivor crew accidentally torture starving contestants by coming back from lunch smelling like cheeseburgers, and dealing with actual bags of cocaine washing up on set. Plus, surprise twist...

BEN KRONBERG – COMEDIAN Since blowing minds at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, Ben Kronberg has racked up credits on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Call with Carson Daly, and Comedy Central’s John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show. He’s also a staple at SXSW and has graced stages at the Vancouver and Boston Comedy Festivals. On screen, he’s popped up in many TV and web series but Ben’s career highlight is...

Sleep-hypnotherapist Jessica Porter slips into Tom and D’s studio with one mission: to put you to sleep. Luckily, she does it on the Sleep Magic podcast and Sleepiest app — not during this episode. The world-renowned “sandman in sneakers” reveals how she lulls people across the globe — including one of our own hosts — into blissful slumber, shares her magic methods, and explains why Tom now snooze...

On this episode of The Tom and D Podcast , Deren sits down with longtime friend and legendary hyperrealist artist Monte Moore—known for his stunning work with Star Wars , Marvel , and some of the most iconic pinups in the game (plus much, much MOORE). Monte dives into his world of high-impact illustration, sharing how he built a powerhouse career, attracted major clients, and cultivated a devoted...

This week on The Tom and D Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Todd Thicke—executive producer, head writer, and chaos coordinator behind America’s Funniest Home Videos—aka the show that turned groin injuries and backyard disasters into primetime gold. (His pilot script is literally in the Smithsonian, because nothing says “American history” like a toddler knocking over grandma.) Todd takes us...

Angelo reflects on his recent film shot in Bloomington, his near-failed attempt at writing Hoosiers, his first unforgettable first meeting with legendary Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight, and a surprising call he received in 1987 from a reporter. The question? Whether he’d be attending that year’s Academy Awards—where Hoosiers was nominated for two Oscars—or staying home to watch IU...