Podcast
Story and Craft with Marc Preston
Hosted by Marc Preston Productions, LLC · EN
Story & Craft is Marc Preston’s venue for offering up entertaining, insightful and inspiring conversations. Marc has spent over three decades as a successful actor, voiceover talent, and nationally syndicated radio host. He’s endlessly curious and enjoys great conversations that inspire. Each episode, Marc welcomes film, television and voiceover actors, storytellers, influencers and creative personalities that have intriguing points of view to offer. Marc’s unique interview style provides insight into the origins of what made his guests successful, as well as how they stay at the top of their game. Whether you work in the industry, or simply enjoy great conversation, you’re invited to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a sit down with Marc and his guests as they talk story, share a moment and inspire.
22episodes
Episodes
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Rosalee Mayeux | From "Magnum, P.I." to "Model Mom"
Yesterday01:11:16Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with actor, comedian and former model Rosalee Mayeux from "Magnum, P.I." and "Model Mom" to discuss her career, and personal stories.Rosalee opens up about her unconventional path, starting as a teenager from a small town in Louisiana who found herself working as a high-fashion model for Eileen Ford in Paris and New York. She shares vivid memories of the modeling world in the 1980s, the stark reality behind the glamour, and how a chance opportunity led her to acting. Her natural knack for comedy eventually pushed her into commercials and television, bringing her face-to-face with legends like Carol Burnett, Lee Grant, and Tom Selleck.After a sudden and life-altering cancer diagnosis forced her to pivot from a promising directing career with Quentin Tarantino’s production house, Rosalee leaned on her resilient spirit and close circle of friends to survive. That journey ultimately steered her toward stand-up comedy, where she found her truest voice. We talk about the grueling but rewarding realities of the comedy stage, the nuances of crowd work, and why being unapologetically yourself is the ultimate punchline.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS [00:11:48] | Parallel parking a 22-foot Cadillac and getting a standing ovation in Beverly Hills[00:17:45] | Navigating the wild, rarefied world of high-fashion modeling in 1980s Europe[00:19:00] | Listening to the news of Ronald Reagan being shot from the bowels of a Parisian restaurant[00:20:18] | Eileen Ford's blunt advice on marriage and what it meant for a modeling career[00:29:26] | The power of an unscripted moment and earning a standing ovation from Lee Grant[00:30:53] | Flubbing a line with Tom Selleck and Carol Burnett on the set of Magnum, P.I.[00:36:22] | Pitching a blind commercial script to Quentin Tarantino's A Band Apart[00:37:35] | Surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis with the help of a kickass support system[00:41:13] | Why improvisational comedy requires immense education and real-world intelligence[00:55:03] | The Seven Questions: Southern comfort food, jazz legends, and advice to her younger self
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Olivia Rose Keegan | From "Days of Our Lives" to Paramount+'s "Dutton Ranch" and "Scary Movie" | A Scary Good Time
1w ago01:01:04Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with Actor Olivia Rose Keegan from "Days of Our Lives" and Paramount+'s "Dutton Ranch", as well as the summer film "Scary Movie" to discuss her new projects, career, and personal stories.We chat about her transition from being an eager 11-year-old writing letters to talent agents in San Francisco to landing major roles. Olivia shares the incredible support from her family, who entirely uprooted their lives in Northern California so she could pursue acting in Los Angeles. She reflects on her early heartbreak of being replaced on a major Nickelodeon show and the immense work ethic she built during her four-and-a-half-year run on "Days of Our Lives."We also get into the exciting new chapters of her career, contrasting the intense, slow-burn drama of playing a mother in Paramount+'s "Dutton Ranch" with the absolute, unhinged physical comedy of the summer sequel to "Scary Movie." Olivia reveals what it was like playing Anna Faris' daughter, conquering her fears of improv comedy, and how working with the Wayans brothers pushed her completely out of her comfort zone.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS[00:08:00] | The intimidating yet rewarding process of network testing for Taylor Sheridan shows[00:13:46] | Drafting a handwritten letter to talent agencies at just eleven years old[00:23:20] | Targeting the Disney and Nickelodeon pipeline as a pragmatic young actor[00:24:34] | Faking an Australian accent to land a breakthrough role on Ant Farm[00:25:42] | Navigating the earth-shattering heartbreak of being recast on a major sitcom[00:27:37] | Why acting on a soap opera is the ultimate industry boot camp[00:30:02] | Channeling inner Anna Faris-isms to play her daughter in Scary Movie[00:37:00] | Working with a dialect coach and stepping into the emotional shoes of a mother[00:39:11] | Embracing the terrifying and thrilling challenge of Wayans brothers-style improv[00:43:12] | The Seven Questions
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Natalie Alyn Lind | From "The Goldberg’s" to Paramount+’s "Dutton Ranch" | Poutine in Boots
1w ago01:00:22Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with Actor Natalie Alyn Lind from "The Goldberg’s" and Paramount+’s "Dutton Ranch" to discuss her new project, career, and personal stories.In this episode, Natalie opens up about what it was like growing up on a TV set and hitting major life milestones while playing Dana Caldwell on the hit sitcom "The Goldberg’s". She shares how those early experiences shaped her approach to acting, giving her the chops to step into her own producing role with the upcoming indie comedy/horror flick, "Halloween Store". Natalie even geeks out over her love of classic horror films and what it's like to build a project from the ground up alongside her friends.The conversation naturally shifts to the sweltering heat of Texas and her immersion into cowboy camp for the highly anticipated series "Dutton Ranch". Natalie talks about sliding into her character's well-worn boots, working on horseback, and the empowering feeling of being part of a Taylor Sheridan production. Plus, we bond over our shared love for authentic Canadian poutine, her very first celebrity crush, and why letting go of other people's expectations is the best advice she could give her younger self. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS[00:04:46] | Adjusting to the blistering Texas heat during night shoots[00:08:09] | The absolute necessity of authentic cheese curds in Canadian poutine[00:10:37] | Auditioning against her mom's last name to land her first role on "One Tree Hill"[00:13:33] | Hitting real-life milestones and having her first kiss while filming "The Goldberg’s"[00:19:48] | Turning downtime into a creative spark to produce her love letter to comedy/horror films, "Halloween Store"[00:25:49] | Recording a full country album and dealing with prosthetics for "Tell Me a Story"[00:30:35] | The powerful female characters in the Taylor Sheridan universe and the real-life women who inspire them[00:37:33] | The grounding, gritty reality of attending real cowboy camp for "Dutton Ranch"[00:40:16] | Finding the sweet spot between authentic functional cowboy gear and character style[00:46:02] | The Seven Questions
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Rex Linn | From "Cliffhanger" to NBC & Peacock's "Happy's Place" | Longhorn Drummer
2w ago01:02:29Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with actor Rex Linn from "Cliffhanger" and NBC & Peacock's "Happy's Place" to discuss his new project, career, and personal stories. Over his decades-long career, Rex has become a familiar face on television, appearing in major marquee shows like "CSI: Miami", "Better Call Saul", "Young Sheldon", and "Big Sky".We cover his early days growing up in Texas and Oklahoma, and how classic Universal movie monsters inspired him to pursue acting. Rex details the pivotal decision to leave his career in banking at age 34 to move to Los Angeles, eventually landing his breakout role opposite John Lithgow and Sylvester Stallone in "Cliffhanger". He also shares insights into the fast-paced, improvisational nature of shooting a sitcom compared to dramatic television.Off the set, Rex talks about his lifelong passion for drumming, including the moment his fiancée, Reba McEntire, surprised him by having him play live on stage with her band. We also touch on the dynamics of working alongside Reba every day, our mutual appreciation for Whataburger, and the importance of simply being kind.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:06:52 | The unexpected classic movie monsters that inspired his acting career00:10:56 | The Jack Nicholson performance that cemented his career path00:13:33 | Leaving a career in Oklahoma banking to pursue acting at 3400:15:42 | Landing a breakout role opposite John Lithgow and Sylvester Stallone00:24:31 | Breaking a thumb on the congas to impress a high school crush00:26:00 | The birthday surprise drum kit from Reba McEntire00:30:54 | Playing the drums live on stage with Reba's touring band00:37:47 | The advice John Lithgow shared about working on sitcoms00:40:58 | The dynamic of rehearsing and acting alongside his fiancée00:46:16 | The Seven Questions
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Sofia Rosinsky | From "Death and Other Details" to Peacock’s "The Miniature Wife" | Living Truthfully
3w ago00:50:46Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with actor Sofia Rosinsky from Hulu's "Death and Other Details" and Peacock's "The Miniature Wife" to discuss her career and personal stories.Sofia shares the fascinating story of her unconventional path into the industry, revealing that an innocent trip to an acting camp unexpectedly put her in front of casting directors. Growing up in a deeply creative household, she was surrounded by cinema thanks to her independent filmmaker mother and musician father. She also opens up about her rigorous acting foundation, noting that she was raised on the Meisner technique directly passed down from her mother, who studied under the legendary Sanford Meisner.Beyond her recent high-profile roles, Sofia discusses her passion for dark comedies and producing independent films with her sister Alexis. She details the physical transformation required to play Mac on Prime Video's "Paper Girls" and the nerve-wracking yet magical experience of working with childhood idol Mandy Patinkin. The conversation also touches on her ongoing education at Berklee College of Music and plans for the future.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:04:38 | Balancing an acting career with an online education at Berklee College of Music00:07:17 | Growing up with a studio musician father who played on legendary film scores00:14:30 | How a terrifying performance by Alec Guinness sparked her initial acting inspiration00:16:18 | The innocent summer camp that accidentally launched her straight to casting directors00:20:11 | The physical hair transformation for her role in Prime Video's "Paper Girls"00:21:54 | The surreal experience of sharing the screen with the legendary Mandy Patinkin00:24:49 | Learning the Meisner technique from her mother, who studied directly under Sanford Meisner00:27:22 | Booking "The Miniature Wife" and working alongside Matthew Macfadyen and Elizabeth Banks00:32:17 | Expanding her horizons by producing and writing an anthology feature with her sister00:35:05 | The Seven Questions
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David Berry | Stories from Starz's "Outlander" | Presto & Bezza
4w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with Actor David Berry from "Starz"'s "Outlander" to discuss his new project, career, and personal stories.David shares the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to a character he has inhabited for eight years as the series concludes. He breaks down the unique logistical gymnastics required to commute from his home in Sydney to the moody highlands of Scotland, including the nature of 25-hour flights. The conversation touches on the "larrikin" spirit of Australian culture and why Aussies feel a natural compulsion to shorten every name and word they encounter.We also get a glimpse into David’s life off-camera, from his former studies in politics to his very specific post-scene ritual involving a perfect burger. Whether discussing the "reverse colonialism" of an Australian actor playing a British officer or the challenge of finding healthy food in the land of fried Mars bars, David brings a thoughtful and witty perspective to the actor's life. He reflects on the importance of spontaneity and the advice he would give his younger, more anxious self about simply learning to relax.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:01:02 | The origin of Marc’s new Aussie nickname00:03:16 | Exploring the cultural habit of Australian "shortenings"00:04:28 | Defining the "larrikin" attitude toward authority00:06:12 | The challenges of transitioning out of a long-running series00:09:48 | The logistical hurdle of auditioning for global shows from Australia00:11:32 | Navigating the 25-hour commute between Sydney and Scotland00:12:13 | How the Scottish landscape becomes its own character on screen00:14:10 | Comparing the healthy Sydney lifestyle to Scottish comfort food00:15:00 | The reward of a perfect burger after a difficult scene00:18:00 | The Seven Questions
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Danay Garcia | From "Fear the Walking Dead" to NBC / Peacock's "M.I.A." | Food for the Soul
May 801:04:36Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with Actor Danay Garcia from AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead" and NBC / Peacock's "M.I.A." to discuss her new project, career, and personal stories.We talk about her journey arriving in Los Angeles from Havana, Cuba, and the reality of navigating the industry while tackling a profound language barrier. Danay shares memories from her early days, including the thrill of getting her first major break shooting Super Bowl commercials alongside Snoop Dogg and Guy Ritchie. She also opens up about surviving the apocalypse for seven seasons on AMC's hit series, and the incredible, set-blessing presence of Edward James Olmos on her newest project.Plus, Danay gives us a glimpse into her passion for food and community, sharing how cooking traditional Cuban dishes live on Instagram kept her connected to her fans during the pandemic. We also explore the intense, one-hour-and-45-minute in-person audition that landed her the role in NBC / Peacock's crime thriller, "M.I.A.", and why she always says "yes" to stepping into the unknown.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS[00:01:43] - Settling into Texas[00:09:25] - Why an apocalypse led by a female character made the prequel to The Walking Dead so enticing [00:11:01] - Having lunch at the exact spot where they filmed the "Titanic" infinity pool [00:13:08] - Arriving in Los Angeles from Havana and realizing the true challenge of the language barrier [00:18:04] - Breaking into the American industry shooting Super Bowl commercials with Guy Ritchie and Snoop Dogg [00:20:19] - Growing up in Cuba with a father who poured drinks at Ernest Hemingway's favorite bars [00:27:00] - Nurturing connection by teaching her fans how to cook traditional Cuban food live during the pandemic [00:43:07] - Enduring a grueling one-hour-and-45-minute in-person audition to land her role in "M.I.A." [00:46:50] - Working alongside the iconic Edward James Olmos and feeling his presence bless the set [00:49:00] - The Seven Questions
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Thom Harp | From "The Donor Party" to "Home Delivery" | Embracing the Ridiculous
May 401:03:30Tap to summarizeMarc Preston sits down with Writer and Director Thom Harp from "The Donor Party" and "Home Delivery" to discuss his new project, career, and personal stories.Thom brings a fantastic energy to the conversation, sharing how his background as a cinematographer in Seattle eventually shaped his approach to humane comedy. We talk about the importance of giving actors the space to just play and trust their instincts on set. It’s always fun getting to hear about the process behind creating those incredibly messy, yet hilariously relatable human moments that define his style.We also get into some great stories about his unique writing methods and the undeniable influence of an "explosive diaper" moment changed the trajectory of his creative choices. Thom reminds us that life is pretty ridiculous, and sometimes the best way to deal with the madness is just to point a camera at it and embrace the laughs.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS[00:02:19] - Guitars, The Cars, and safely navigating a midlife crisis.[00:09:31] - How Monty Python's Flying Circus completely rewired his creative brain.[00:21:28] - Cultivating a safe, playful environment on set for actors.[00:23:48] - The strategic genius of casting dramatic actors in comedic roles.[00:30:10] - Thom’s unique "magnet" method for developing script ideas.[00:34:35] - Why the best comedy requires putting your hero in the absolute worst situation.[00:38:57] - Casting Joe Pantoliano against type to find the moral heart of the film.[00:46:24] - The "explosive diaper" moment that forever changed his view on comedy.[00:55:33] - The Seven Questions.
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Meaghan Rath | Un voyage de La Métropole à l'Audace
Apr 2701:04:38Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Story & Craft, Marc sits down with actor Meaghan Rath. We take a moment to discuss the Zen of all things Hawaii, as Meaghan looks back on living on Oahu for “Hawaii Five-0,” sharing favorite beaches, island food takes, and the unique experience of filming with locations shut down just for the crew. She also talks about landing AMC’s “The Audacity,” playing Anushka Bhattachera-Phister, a chief ethicist in a corrupt tech world, and what the show taught her about privacy and data. Along the way, they cover her Montreal upbringing, mixed Jewish/Indian-Catholic heritage, early discovery as a teen actor, creative interests, a haunted childhood home, and her go-to comforts like ramen, the ocean, and a great TV binge.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS03:36 Hawaii Five-0 Memories05:55 Beaches and Island Food09:30 How She Got Cast11:56 Canada Roots and Family16:25 Finding Acting Early19:59 Meeting Her Husband23:43 The New Series “Audacity”28:50 Tech Culture and Social Media34:14 Privacy Wake Up Call35:29 Haunted House Memories37:48 Drama Comedy Balance39:14 Dense Scripts And Accent42:50 The Seven Questions
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Johnny Ray Gill | Tale of a Prospective Gent
Apr 2401:11:20Tap to summarizeOn this episode of “Story and Craft”, Marc sits down with actor and writer Johnny Ray Gill (“Cross” Season 2 on Prime Video) for a wide-ranging conversation about Gill’s Portland roots in an all-Black Northeast community, his working-class family, and early artistic start in spoken-word poetry inspired by the film “Slam.” Gill shares how a rites-of-passage program shaped his cultural awareness, how an internship with writer Mike Rich opened doors, and how his path led from USC film school to Temple and then UC San Diego’s theater program. He recounts booking “Harry’s Law,” reflects on hip hop’s shift as commerce overtakes art, and explains why he feels artists owe audiences truth. Gill discusses his climate-focused script “Laying Pipe,” his love of animals and nature, learning Spanish, and the serendipitous way he was offered his role in “Cross.”SHOW HIGHLIGHTS02:24 From Portland to LA03:23 Working Class Roots04:48 Choosing the Arts08:09 Spoken Word Origin Story11:28 College Path and Drama School15:10 Hip Hop and Early Influences17:10 Art Versus Commerce20:25 Screenwriting and Truth22:03 Pitching Laying Pipe29:45 How Cross Came Together34:31 Persistence and Knowing Your Vocation36:31 New Passions Nature and Animals40:03 Plants Pets Travel41:40 Indigenous Symbiosis44:26 Cross Writing Process45:17 Bobby Trey’s Capitalism48:34 Shreveport Food Authenticity51:06 The Seven Questions
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