Podcast
Fascination Street
Hosted by steve owens · EN
Fascinating People, Fascinating stories.
If you're like me, you love to find out how people got to where they are in life, what makes them tick, some of their hurdles, and what made them think they could do it.
If so, then join me every Monday as I 'take a walk down Fascination Street' and get to know the stories behind people from every walk of life. "Streetwalkers" include: actors, authors, directors, musicians, pop culture icons, social activists, athletes, screenwriters, comedians, artists, podcasters, CEO's, and even an astronaut!
New episodes every Monday, and sometimes a bonus one too!
If you're like me, you love to find out how people got to where they are in life, what makes them tick, some of their hurdles, and what made them think they could do it.
If so, then join me every Monday as I 'take a walk down Fascination Street' and get to know the stories behind people from every walk of life. "Streetwalkers" include: actors, authors, directors, musicians, pop culture icons, social activists, athletes, screenwriters, comedians, artists, podcasters, CEO's, and even an astronaut!
New episodes every Monday, and sometimes a bonus one too!
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Devin Kawaoka - Actor (Shrinking / Chicago Med)
3d ago00:59:21Tap to summarizeDevin KawaokaTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Devin Kawaoka. Devin is an actor who can currently be seen on Apple TV's Shrinking; as well as NBC's Chicago Med. In this episode, Devin and I chat about his first love, snow skiing. He was really good too, some say Olympics bound. He shares the story of what happened that turned his attention toward acting. Once he did find acting, he never looked back. Devin has starred on Broadway in the massively acclaimed 'Slave Play' and is realizing huge success on two of the biggest shows on the screen today. (The ones I mentioned above). Devin also shares the reasons that he chose NYU Tisch; not once, but twice. We take a bit of a walk down Memory Lane, as we talk about his favorite TV show, 'Six Feet Under', and why it was so important to him. It was so impactful to a young Devin, that the show has informed his idea of what good writing and acting can do for those watching. Along the way, we talk about his experiences on several shows. Devin plays Dr. Kai Tanaka-Reed on Chicago Med, while simultaneously playing the lovable husband Charlie on Shrinking. We discuss the logistics of filming those two shows at the same time..... nearly 1800 miles apart. I pepper Devin with questions about some of his other projects in film like 'Friend of Dave' & "Under the Lantern Lit Sky' as well as the television show 'Lucifer'. We then dive into Devin's recent foray into screenwriting. He has written pilots for two different TV shows, and he explains both what they are about, and where he is hoping they land. We end the episode by talking about the person who he admires and hopes to model his writing and producing career after.Follow Devin Kawaoka on Instagram to see what he does next!
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Throwback: Rance Howard - Icon / Actor
1w ago01:13:35Tap to summarizeHey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Rance Howard. Rance, who has appeared in over 300 film & television episodes over his nearly 70 year career and the father of both Ron & Clint Howard first appeared on the show on 12.31.17It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!Rance Howard - Icon / ActorMy buddy Clint pulled some strings and was able to get me a sit down interview with his dad Rance Howard in July of 2017. With more than 100 film appearances and more than 200 episodes of television; Rance worked in the business from 1956 until he passed in late 2017. This is his last long form interview.One of the kindest, most engaging men I have ever met.Stay tuned for bonus extras after the episode.Shortly after this interview, Mr. Howard made two more movies, and then became ill.He never recovered.This was one of the best days of my life.Although Rance Howard will be sorely missed by many; I am POSITIVE that Heaven is a better place with him in it.Rest easy, and Farewell Good Sir.--Steve
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James Paxton - Actor (Last Train to Fortune) / Musician (Love, Pax)
1w ago01:06:21Tap to summarizeJames PaxtonTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know James Paxton. James is an actor, a musician, and an artist. In this episode, we chat about all of those things and more. We discuss his dad, Bill Paxton, and how James got sick with E. coli while attending NYU for journalism. James tells an amazing story about how the Entourage character Vincent Chase got his name and even regales me with the story of making the tile for Phil Collins' house! We touch on his experience on the set of Texas Rising, and then we have a surprise special guest drop in to say hi. After that, it's back to the action where we discuss James' feature film debut 'Boogeyman Pop' and why it still sits on the shelf at Blumhouse. James tells me about the hush hush secret that he had to keep when he was the voice of the son on the HULU hit show 'How I Met Your Father' and why he had to keep it a secret. Of course, we discuss his new film 'Last Train to Fortune' and working alongside Malcolm McDowell. Nest, we dive into James' musical career. He is part of two bands, 'Flamingo Dogs' and 'Soundaze', plus he lets me play a song from his solo project 'Love, Pax'. You're gonna dig it!
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Throwback: Chris Ballew - Musician (The Presidents of the United States of America / Caspar Babypants)
2w ago01:12:11Tap to summarizeHey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with Chris Ballew from the ground breaking 90s band The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris first appeared on the show on 7.18.22It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! Chris BallewTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Chris Ballew. Chris is a musician and founding member and lead singer of the alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. Chris is also known as Caspar Babypants; catering music for parents and kids to enjoy together. In this episode we chat about why he was drawn to music, touring as a band member with Beck for 2 tours, forming The Presidents, managing huge hits like Peaches, and Lump, and some of the strangely stringed instruments he has played in those songs. He shares stories about Sir Mix A Lot, Beck, Madonna, and even a great story about Kurt Cobain's GHOST! We talk about he second, third, and now fourth musical incarnation; including Caspar Babypants, writing music for tv, film, and commercials, and his latest project, ethereal music. All of this and more, Chris HAS to com back! Follow Chris on social media:Insta: @ChrisBallewCheck out his music at: ChrisBallew.org & Babypantsmusic.com
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Lauren Lucas - Singer / Songwriter
2w ago01:09:11Tap to summarizeLauren LucasTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Lauren Lucas. Lauren is a singer songwriter originally from South Carolina, and currently living in Nashville, Tn. In this episode, we chat about her growing up in South Carolina and making the move to Nashville. We also discuss the craziness of her being signed to a publishing deal as a teenager; having never written a song! She shares some of her inspirations, and some of the amazing artists that she has opened for on regional and national tours. I ask her why she decided to attend Belmont University, and how she ended up teaching songwriting at that same school. We briefly talk about some of the bands and acts that she has been part of, or associated with. Naturally we do a deep dive into songwriting and the importance of learning to co-write. Lauren graciously lets me play one of my favorite older songs of hers, and then later on I get to play her newest release! Finally, we get into how she came to be part of the writing team that composes all of the music and interstitials for the Netflix sitcom Leanne. (The voice you hear sing the theme is Lauren's). If you have a chance, check out Lauren's podcast 'The Happiest Hour Podcast', available wherever you get your podcasts.
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Throwback: John Kapelos - Actor (The Breakfast Club / Sixteen Candles / Seinfeld)
3w ago01:06:58Tap to summarizeHey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with actor John Kapelos, the janitor from The Breakfast Club! John first appeared on the show on 6.24.24It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!John KapelosTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know John Kapelos. You may know John as 'Carl, The Janitor' from the 1984 cult classic film: The Breakfast Club; but he is so much more than that! In this episode, we chat about him spending nearly a decade with Second City, his experiences on some of the greatest John Hughes films, and even his time as 'The Sniffing Accountant' on Seinfeld. We discuss how the show must go on, even after his father unexpectedly passed. John reveals the moment he found out that Emelio Estevez was the son of Martin Sheen, stories from the set of The Breakfast Club, and his scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off that got cut. As if all of this improv comedy and hall of fame acting isn't enough, John Kapelos also put out an album! It is called "John Kapelos: Too Hip For the Room"; and he lets me play a track from it. I think you're gonna dig it!John is a consummate professional, and he gets honest and vulnerable with me in this interview. I appreciate him for letting go, and not holding back. If you have a chance to see John in a play, or singing, or in television and film; I highly suggest you check him out. In everything he does, he BRINGS IT!
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Brandon Violette - (Stretch Armstrong / T.O.T.S. / Cars: Lightning Racers / CoCoMelon Lane)
3w ago00:53:57Tap to summarizeBrandon VioletteTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Brandon Violette. Brandon is a screenwriter for several children's animated television shows including: Stretch Armstrong, T.O.T.S., Cars: Lightning Racers, and the co-creator of the kid's show CoComelon Lane. In this episode, we chat about how his love of making up stories as a kid led to him writing television shows for kids. He has worked on some of the biggest shows in children's programing. Brandon shares the story of how he got hired at Hasbro and worked his way up to writing for Stretch Armstong. Then he tells me how that job led him to write for T.O.T.S. and then springboarded him to the co-creator position for CoComelon Lane! Obviously, we discuss how the opportunity to study at the Beijing Film Academy presented itself just as he was finishing up his degree in the US. We touch a little bit on his time in China, and what he learned from being immersed in that culture. We trade stories of being terrified by international travel, before we dive into his career in animation. From Hasbro's animation studios to Netflix shows, to Disney & Pixar; Brandon has earned his laurels. One of Brandon's more recent endeavors is his podcast. The Story Series Podcast was born out of the idea that writers could get together and share their experiences so that other writers, and future writers could learn some of the tricks and traps along the path of their chosen careers. His podcast is just over a year old and has nearly 60 episodes. Even as a non-writer, I really enjoyed getting to peek behind the curtain with some of the best screenwriters working today. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts.
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Throwback: Mario Andretti - Driver Of The Century (F-1, Nascar / IndyCar)
4w ago00:57:12Tap to summarizeHey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with worldwide racing legend Mario Andretti. Mario first appeared on the show on 5.3.21It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!Mario AndrettiTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Mario Andretti. In this episode Mario and I chat about what brought his family to The United States, and how he and his twin brother Aldo got bitten by the racing bug. He shares some of his favorite memories of his driving career (which spanned from 1959 to 2000). We talk about some of the automotive innovations that started in racing and are now on every passenger car made; He also tells me what it was like to win the Daytona 500, The Indy 500, and the Formula One World Championship. Finally, we close the show out talking about his post racing businesses which include a winery, and the nationwide Andretti Indoor Carting and Games entertainment complexes. (I do challenge him to a race at the one near my house!)Mario is a legend and a national treasure, who has made a name for himself all over the world in his sport as well as his compassion and generosity. It was a great honor to speak with 3 time US Driver of the Year, US Driver of the Quarter Century, and Driver of the Decade.Follow Mario on social media:Twit: @MarioAndrettiInsta: @AndrettiMarioFB: Mario AndrettiMario's website: MarioAndretti.com
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Jeffrey Biegel - Classical Concert Pianist (Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue)
Apr 2001:06:32Tap to summarizeJeffrey BiegelTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Grammy winning classical concert pianist, and national treasure Jeffrey Biegel. In this episode, Jeffrey and I chat about his learning how to play piano from some of the greatest teachers in the history of the instrument, what he chose to go the classical route instead of a more pop focus, and some of his inspirations. Jeffrey shares stories involving Billy Joel, Morton Estrin, Lalo Schifrin, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, the late Neil Sedaka, Liberace, Peter Tork, the late Richard Lewis, Lucy Arnaz Luckinbill, Lucille Ball, Dan Lauria, Barry Manilow, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Peter Boyer. This episode is a walk down Memory Lane, as well as Fascination Street! We discuss some of the orchestras and symphonies Jeffrey has played with and continues to play with. Then we talk about some of his own projects, and why they are so important to him. Jeffrey shares some insight on projects like: Waltz of Hope I & II, Reflection of Freedom (JFK), Reflection of Equality (MLK), Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, The Millenium Project, and so much more. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to Jeffrey for sitting down with me on his way to teach a Master Class in Wichita. Thank you, Jeffrey, you are a MENSCH!
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Throwback: Damon Wimbley (A.K.A. Kool Rock-Ski) Rap Icon (The Fat Boys)
Apr 1600:56:21Tap to summarizeHey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Damon Wimbley A.K.A. Kool Rock-Ski from the legendary hip hop / rap group The Fat Boys Kool Rock first appeared on the show on 1.23.23It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!Kool Rock-SkiTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Damon Wimbley. You may know Damon by another name... Kool Rock-Ski from the legendary rap group The Fat Boys. That's right Streetwalkers! I got to chat with none other than old school rap and hip hop LEGEND Kool Rock-Ski! In this episode we chat about how he met and formed The Fat Boys, what made their music unique & groundbreaking, and what it was like to be part of the birth of a new genre of music. All along the way we discuss other hip hop and rap pioneers like: Furious Five, Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, and even Everlast. Kool Rock talks about the time he met Rick James at Studio 54 before he was even old enough to drink! Kool Rock tells us about his previous podcast 360 Rock Live, and whether or not it will make a comeback. I ask him what the hell "Brrr stickum" means, and there is a fun story behind that. We learn all about the annual Classic Hip Hop and R&B Cookout in NUYC every summer and what the purpose of it is. I find out at the very end that there is currently a petition to get The Fat Boys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and what Streetwalkers can do to help make it happen. Finally, Kool Rock lets me play his newest musical venture: Hush by Kokane Featuring Kool Rock Ski. This is a little boy's dream come true. Thank you so much Kool Rock!SIGN THE PETITION TO GET THE FAT BOYS INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME:https://www.change.org/p/nominate-the-legendary-group-the-fat-boys-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame
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