Story and Craft with Marc Preston

Comedian & Podcaster Alex Pearlman from “Too Many Tabs” and YouTube’s “Crashing Out” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about his career and personal stories.

Alex shares his take on Donald Trump and Elon Musk and on how social media algorithms shape the news. Growing up, he watched the evening news at the dinner table, and 25 years of stand-up taught him to break big stories down quickly. On “Too Many Tabs,” the comedy history podcast he makes with his wife, he takes the long view, such as the 80-year fight for the 40-hour work week.

He describes the weekly podcast “Crashing Out,” which he co-hosts with Philip DeFranco, who has covered news on YouTube for 20 years. The conversation also covers the live tour that just wrapped, where he found audiences everywhere looking for hope. Alex recalls asking Bernie Sanders in his Capitol office whether anyone in Washington is thinking about the rest of the century.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Alex Pearlman joins Story & Craft

04:36 Growing up watching Dan Rather and the evening news

07:08 How short videos and algorithms shape what we see

08:07 Why he calls himself a stand-up comedian, not a journalist

10:56 Comedy heroes George Carlin, Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor

13:37 A typical day of scrolling, family time and picking what to cover

17:04 The moment his young son told him to put the phone down

25:39 Planning for his toddler’s future with trades, college and AI

32:26 “Too Many Tabs” and the long view on the 40-hour work week

33:37 Andrew Carnegie’s libraries, Elon Musk and the Gilded Age

37:51 What he learned on tour: everyone is looking for hope

39:27 Meeting Bernie Sanders in his Capitol office

45:21 If he could go back in time and fix social media

49:35 Building a healthy news diet, starting with local news

57:31 “Crashing Out” with Philip DeFranco and the tour that just wrapped

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Actor & Comedian Chloe Radcliffe from “The Tonight Show” and Comedy Central’s “Eyes Down Here” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her career and personal stories.

Chloe breaks down writing for Jimmy Fallon and watching Anthony Jeselnik at the Hollywood Improv. She names Eddie Izzard as her biggest influence and traces her path to stand-up through national speech and debate titles and a job at Target headquarters. A writing job on “The Tonight Show” came with her 15th application, after years of trying and time in the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop.

Her hour-long special “Eyes Down Here” took ten years to put together, and she explains why she bikes through New York daily and how a tandem lets her share that with other people. Next up, she is doing a live run of her solo show “Cheat” in Los Angeles from November 4 through 8 at G-Son Studios, the old Beastie Boys recording studio. She also explains why her phone background reminded her to write down every idea for eight years.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Chloe Radcliffe joins Story & Craft

01:42 A lucky YouTube find and Minnesota roots

03:53 New York years, a furious New Year’s Eve and life on tour

08:34 The phone background that kept her writing everything down

10:14 Eddie Izzard and finding stand-up

13:37 Self-employed parents, a math degree and a job at Target

16:29 Speech and debate champion, only child and learning to delegate

19:44 Landing a writing job for Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show”

22:06 Why she rides a tandem bicycle through New York

25:10 Ten years to build “Eyes Down Here”

30:48 Craigslist hobbies and a belief in patterns

34:13 When a joke bombs and the bro-ier rooms

37:53 Watching Anthony Jeselnik and her solo show “Cheat”

41:19 The Seven Questions

44:46 Tour dates and goodbye

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Actor Patrick Renna from “The Sandlot” and YouTube’s “Dugout Dads” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about his career and personal stories.

Patrick shares why Meryl Streep might be the greatest actor ever and how Danielle Fishel co-hosts the companion podcast. He recalls a James Earl Jones story from the set of the baseball classic he filmed at 13 and why it still resonates across generations. Patrick also traces his start in school plays and his teenage work on “Son in Law” with Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Pauly Shore.

He explains how a Little League final that ended with crying parents and kids playing tag inspired the series, which brings back his Sandlot castmates as the dads. Along the way, he discusses his “GLOW” role on Netflix, a Hershey’s campaign with his son, and pitching networks with Chris Paul’s company, OH DIP Entertainment. He also shares the advice he would give his 16-year-old self, including an audition tip from Bryan Cranston.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Patrick Renna joins Story & Craft

03:18 The Little League loss behind “Dugout Dads”

06:35 Filming “The Sandlot” at 13 and its lasting fan love

08:23 From school plays and a Boston move to Hollywood

14:47 Playing second base and rooting for Boston and LA teams

18:31 Favorite movies growing up and working alone at 16

21:29 Making “Ricky 6” with Emmanuelle Chriqui

26:03 Playing a wrestler’s superfan on Netflix’s “GLOW”

28:20 Putting his son in a Hershey’s campaign

30:22 Why he says kids shouldn’t start acting too young

36:15 Pitching “Dugout Dads” with Chris Paul’s OH DIP Entertainment

40:17 The Seven Questions

43:25 The James Earl Jones story from the set of “The Sandlot”

45:14 “Son in Law” with Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Pauly Shore

55:51 Wrapping up with best wishes for “Dugout Dads”

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Actor Missi Pyle from "Dodgeball" and Prime Video's "Sterling Point" joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her career and personal stories.

Missi shares what it is like acting alongside Timothy Olyphant in the new Apple TV series "Stick," and reveals the hilarious truth behind shooting her memorable scene with Adam Sandler in "50 First Dates." She reflects on her early theater days in Tennessee, which eventually led to creating legendary comedic characters like her unforgettable turn in "Dodgeball."

The conversation then shifts to Prime Video's "Sterling Point," a project that allowed her to collaborate closely with creator Megan Park. Missi discusses finding her rhythm in darker roles and her recent decision to embrace more dramatic parts. She also opens up about adopting her daughter as a single mother and why she is seriously considering a sudden pivot to become an EMT.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Missi Pyle joins Story & Craft

02:46 Early years in Texas and bonding over Whataburger

08:08 The locust invasion that almost derailed "50 First Dates"

15:53 Growing up Southern Baptist

21:02 Dreaming of becoming an astronaut or fighter pilot

24:09 Originating an iconic Halloween costume in "Dodgeball"

29:13 Arriving in Los Angeles for pilot season

35:28 Collaborating with Megan Park on "Sterling Point"

37:48 Choosing Jenny McCarthy over Two and a Half Men

43:39 Pretending Cape Town was Chicago for "Home Alone 4"

45:19 Playing a love interest for Timothy Olyphant on "Stick"

50:24 The Seven Questions

55:57 Considering a future career as an ER nurse

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Actor Necar Zadegan from “The Rookie” and CBS’s “CIA” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her career and personal stories.

She talks about the Taylor Sheridan phone call that shaped her “Mayor of Kingstown” role, working with Nathan Fillion on “The Rookie,” and her Broadway debut alongside Robin Williams. Necar also shares how her Iranian family moved back to the United States from Germany after the 1979 revolution, and how she made her professional debut at 16 at the Edinburgh Fringe. Landing her first series regular role, the First Lady on “24,” came while she was performing “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” every night, before she ignored advice to skip Broadway.

A guest spot on “Law & Order” in New York led to CBS’s “CIA,” and she explains why a show about hiding in plain sight appealed to her. She describes shooting “NCIS: New Orleans” during COVID, wrapping the final season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” and her character’s high school history with Jeremy Renner’s character. Necar also previews the Chris Rock-directed film “Misty Green” and Amazon’s “Joseph of Egypt,” before sharing why her go-to pizza order is a margherita with a side of anchovies.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Necar Zadegan joins Story & Craft

07:35 Born in Germany, raised in California after Iran’s 1979 revolution

12:52 Landing the First Lady on “24” opposite Anil Kapoor and Cherry Jones

17:12 Flying to Hawaii for her one-episode role on “Lost”

18:18 Her professional debut at 16 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

19:46 Broadway with Robin Williams in “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”

22:55 The press day when Robin Williams turned it on

25:18 Shooting “24” by day and ignoring advice to skip Broadway

30:48 Working with Nathan Fillion on “The Rookie”

31:58 Shooting “NCIS: New Orleans” during COVID

34:20 How “Law & Order” led to CBS’s “CIA”

36:13 Working with Taylor Sheridan on “Mayor of Kingstown”

38:03 The call that unlocked her backstory with Jeremy Renner’s character

43:20 The Seven Questions

57:47 What’s next: “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Misty Green,” “Joseph of Egypt”

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Actor Katee Sackhoff from "Battlestar Galactica" and Prime Video’s "Carrie" joins us on Story & Craft.

Katee talks about growing up in Portland as a competitive swimmer, how she landed her first acting job, and what it was like to move to LA at 18. We get into her time on "Battlestar Galactica", why she's only now watching it, and how she went from voicing Bo-Katan in animation to "The Mandalorian".

She also discusses her new series "Carrie", her podcasts, and raising two kids back in Portland.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Katee Sackhoff joins Story & Craft

03:33 | Building a dream home in Los Angeles, then deciding it was time to leave for Portland

12:20 | The newspaper ad for a body double that changed everything

15:36 | Teaching herself to cry on camera in front of a mirror

20:42 | Reading the Starbuck script and knowing it could change how people saw her

23:08 | Cutting her hair and walking away from bigger offers to fight for one role

26:31 | Watching "Battlestar Galactica" for the first time, 25 years later, with her husband

29:33 | Walking out of an acting class and never going back

35:36 | How a "Robot Chicken" recommendation led to Bo-Katan

38:46 | Bringing the dad who showed her sci-fi as a kid onto a "Star Wars" set

46:31 | The Seven Questions

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Tyler Mane, Sabretooth in "X-Men" and Michael Myers in "Halloween," and Renae Geerlings join us on Story & Craft to talk about "Mane AF."

Tyler spent over a decade as a professional wrestler, training with the Hart family in Calgary and wrestling all over the world, before a stunt casting call meant for someone else turned into the role of Sabretooth and a full pivot into acting — a path that later led to playing Michael Myers in the "Halloween" reboot. Renae came up on the other side of the business, landing a temp job answering phones for a comics company in Los Angeles and working her way up to a ten-year run as an editor. Eventually the two combined those worlds under their own production banner, building out the graphic novel "The Last Spartan" together, a project Tyler had actually been carrying around for fifteen years before Renae came on to help shape it.

The conversation turns candid when they get into the year they've just had. In March, Tyler's brother died suddenly of a heart attack. Weeks later, Tyler found a lump during a workout and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma — male breast cancer. Not long after that, Renae's father died in a car accident. Tyler talks openly about finishing chemo, heading into radiation, and a second scare from a blood clot along the way, and he's direct about why he's chosen to talk about all of it publicly: he wants other men to get checked rather than dismiss what they're feeling, the way he almost did.

That's also the thinking behind "Mane AF," the podcast they just launched about midlife, marriage, and — as Tyler puts it — the mayhem he brings to it. Along the way, we get into how two people who are both used to being in charge divide the creative work in one house, why Renae calls herself the steering wheel and brakes to Tyler's engine, and the usual mix of rescue dogs, comfort food, and childhood celebrity crushes that round out the hour.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Tyler Mane and Renae Geerlings join Story & Craft

00:03:37 | Renae compares keeping up with Tyler to being a water skier who lost her skis five miles back

00:07:03 | Tyler lays out the year in one breath: his brother's sudden death, his own cancer diagnosis, and Renae's father's fatal accident

00:14:01 | Tyler was one of the last people to wrestle Andre the Giant, months before Andre passed away

00:15:04 | The stunt casting call that was meant for someone else, and how it became Tyler's ticket to the role of Sabretooth

00:25:53 | Renae's rule for not being interrupted while she works, and the loophole Tyler found almost immediately

00:31:00 | The chest lump Tyler almost brushed off, and the conversation that changed his mind

00:35:58 | What Tyler's tumor oncotype score meant for his treatment, and losing (then slowly regrowing) his beard

00:47:39 | Tyler's core advice for other men, shaped by not knowing his own brother was struggling

00:48:47 | The Seven Questions

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Actor and director Adam Arkin from "Sons of Anarchy" and MGM+’s "American Hostage" joins us on Story & Craft.

Adam opens up about his seamless transition from acting to becoming one of television’s most sought-after directors. He shares behind-the-scenes stories of shifting gears between massive modern projects like "The Night Agent," "The Offer," and his newest true-crime thriller, "American Hostage." We explore the awkward challenge of directing himself in scenes, the immediate relief of admitting to a crew when a shot just isn't working, and the secret to building absolute trust on set by letting actors do their work.

We also dive into his personal side, discussing the influence of his legendary father Alan Arkin and how he taught Adam to master multiple performance styles. From an early celebrity crush on Ursula Andress, to his deep appreciation for a perfectly simple summer tomato sandwich, it's a great look at the man behind the camera.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Adam Arkin joins Story & Craft

00:02:43 | Why releasing a new project brings out a mix of anxiety and excitement

00:05:08 | Capturing the true 1970s reality without talking down to a modern audience

00:07:49 | How his father Alan Arkin taught him to be conversant in many performance styles

00:10:09 | Helping an actor embrace the intimidating legend of playing Marlon Brando

00:13:30 | The awkward challenge of acting in a project you are also actively directing

00:15:34 | Why immersing yourself in the story is more important than having a recognizable visual style

00:18:21 | Finding immediate relief in admitting to the cast when a scene just isn't working

00:20:02 | Recognizing the exact moment on set when you capture pure on-screen magic

00:22:51 | Earning absolute trust by letting the actors do their work without interference

00:23:46 | The Seven Questions

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Journalist and author Sara Kehaulani Goo, formerly of The Washington Post, joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her book "Kuleana."

Sara shares how her early days in a print newsroom sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling, eventually leading her to cover major national events like the aftermath of 9/11. We chat about her approach to learning the ropes, intentionally moving to unfamiliar cities to broaden her perspective, and the thick skin required to maintain integrity in a fast-paced media landscape. Sara also opens up about the massive digital shift facing the news industry and the ways legacy media is now partnering with independent online creators to reach modern audiences.

Beyond the news desk, Sara talks about the inspiration behind her memoir, "Kuleana," which looks at her Hawaiian heritage and her family's fight to hold on to their ancestral land. We discuss the complex realities of life in Hawaii today, the impact of outside real estate investments on the local culture, and, naturally, our shared appreciation for a perfectly made plate of Spam musubi. It is a grounded, eye-opening conversation about history, responsibility, and the importance of knowing where you come from.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Sara Kehaulani Goo joins Story & Craft

00:14:00 | The thrill of stepping into a newsroom and the daily pressure to deliver

00:16:37 | Why immersing yourself in unfamiliar cities is the ultimate training ground for storytellers

00:20:19 | How covering the aftermath of 9/11 shaped her understanding of a changing nation

00:22:42 | Recognizing the impending digital disruption of the news industry

00:25:25 | The challenge of funding trusted journalism in a digitally fractured world

00:30:00 | Why traditional legacy media must partner with independent online creators

00:35:32 | The rising trend of journalists cutting out the middleman to build direct audiences

00:40:45 | The thick skin and unwavering principles required to be a reporter today

00:46:45 | The cultural and economic toll of treating Hawaiian real estate strictly as an investment

00:53:00 | The Seven Questions

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Stunt performer and actor Rosslyn Luke from “Paper Tiger,” with Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, joins us on Story & Craft.

Before sharing scenes with Adam Driver and Miles Teller, Rosslyn took a decidedly non-traditional path into the industry. We talk about her upbringing in Eastern Washington—near the Hanford nuclear site—and why she initially earned a degree in civil and environmental engineering before committing to acting.

Her background in competitive cheerleading eventually opened an unexpected door into stunt performance, leading to early gigs that included handling a shotgun on a moving semi-truck. Rosslyn breaks down how that physical discipline prepared her for director James Gray’s period mob film, “Paper Tiger”, where she had to navigate high-stakes, unscripted 1980s dialogue opposite seasoned performers.

Wrapping up, we get into why she gravitates toward intense, dark dramas over comedy, what goes into her ideal day, and the advice she would offer her younger self about trusting her own voice earlier.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Rosslyn Luke joins Story & Craft

00:02:37 | Watching Seattle shift from grunge culture to a tech-dominated city

00:05:18 | What it's like growing up with a father who cleaned up nuclear waste sites

00:08:18 | Walking away from a stable career in engineering to pursue the arts

00:11:11 | The hidden physical danger and severe injuries behind competitive cheerleading

00:15:29 | Wielding a shotgun on the back of a moving flatbed truck for a zombie show

00:17:38 | Why she decided to train as a stunt performer instead of using a double

00:21:55 | Growing up in an Eastern Washington town where locals joke they “glow in the dark”

00:24:31 | Why she's drawn to gritty, dark dramas while living with a comedy writer

00:36:18 | The high-wire act of improvising 1980s mob dialogue with Adam Driver and Miles Teller

00:37:45 | The Seven Questions

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Actor Tracy Spiridakos from “Chicago P.D.” and USA Network’s “Anna Pigeon” joins us on Story & Craft.

Tracy talks about growing up between Canada and Greece, sharing what it was like working at her family’s Greek restaurant and the connection she still has with her parents' homeland. She also explains what it took to get her start in acting, like balancing three jobs in Vancouver before heading to Los Angeles for her first major round of auditions.

We also discuss her decision to leave a successful seven-year run on a popular TV show to try something new. Tracy explains what it is like playing a sarcastic new character and the realities of filming outdoors on location. It’s a grounded conversation that covers everything from her love of travel and her dogs to the ongoing debate over how to make the best pastitsio.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Tracy Spiridakos joins Story & Craft

00:03:10 | Introducing all the “cousins” to her friend

00:05:27 | Moving back to Greece and her dad's hair salon

00:11:13 | Working at a bank and restaurants while pursuing acting

00:15:38 | Landing her role on Revolution during her first trip to LA

00:18:47 | The decision to step away from Chicago PD after seven seasons

00:23:45 | Connecting with her sarcastic, bad-ass character on Anna Pigeon

00:29:14 | The feeling of stepping off the plane in Athens

00:32:52 | Why her initial goal was simply to act full time without side jobs

00:37:17 | The creative difference between acting in a film versus television

00:39:31 | The Seven Questions

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Director Lee Kirk from “The Giant Mechanical Man” and “Nimrods,” the Green Day comedy, joins us on Story & Craft.

The conversation explores Lee's nomadic childhood moving to a new school every single year, and how that constant search for footing shaped the emotionally grounded, slightly melancholic characters he creates today. Host Marc Preston and Lee also reflect on three decades in the entertainment industry, tracing the path from their Texas beginnings to the gritty realities of building a creative life in Los Angeles.

Lee shares the personal stories behind his biggest milestones, including the random text message from Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong that launched his new film, “Nimrods”. He opens up about the experience of falling in love with his wife, Jenna Fischer, on a movie set, stepping behind the camera on “The Office,” and the incredible experience of directing both of his kids in his new movie.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Lee Kirk joins Story & Craft

00:02:42 | Reconnecting after 36 years and reflecting on three decades in entertainment

00:04:28 | The random text from Billie Joe Armstrong that sparked a Green Day movie

00:05:32 | Turning Green Day's real-life tour stories into movie plot points

00:09:20 | How constantly moving across the country as a kid left him feeling adrift

00:16:43 | The 3 AM panic and terrified career doubts of his early 30s

00:18:47 | Getting tapped to direct “The Office” after Ron Howard dropped out

00:19:47 | Falling in love with his wife, Jenna Fischer, on a movie set

00:29:29 | Working one-on-one with Billie Joe Armstrong to build his acting confidence

00:33:46 | Directing both of his kids on set alongside his wife, Jenna Fischer

00:40:09 | The Seven Questions

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Actor Chris Marquette from “The Girl Next Door” and Prime Video’s “Reacher” joins us on Story & Craft.

Chris joined the industry early, navigating the unique landscape of child acting with roles spanning from commercial voiceovers to television sets. We discuss the transition from those foundational years to understanding the practical realities of the entertainment business as a young adult. It is a candid conversation about the resilience required to build a sustainable career in Hollywood.

We also cover his recent move to the west coast of Ireland, where he is raising his daughter and developing new writing projects. Chris shares insights into his new role on Prime Video's “Reacher,” breaking down the physical demands of playing a small-town cop alongside Alan Ritchson. From the delayed cult success of “The Girl Next Door” to his approach to staying grounded off-camera, this episode offers a practical look at the life of a working actor.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Chris Marquette joins Story & Craft

02:00 | Moving to the west coast of Ireland to raise his daughter

08:35 | Starting his career early with commercial voiceovers and Barney

13:10 | The sketchy seminar that landed him his first headshots and acting jobs

17:11 | Crossing paths with Jennifer Aniston during pilot season

21:00 | Getting a harsh crash course on the business side of acting in his twenties

25:33 | Navigating the shadow of past roles

36:54 | How The Girl Next Door bombed in theaters before finding massive cult success on DVD

42:59 | Entering the Reacher universe

44:53 | Dealing with the Alan Ritchson’s physical presence on set

46:55 | The Seven Questions

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Writer and director Owen Dennis from “Infinity Train” and Paramount+’s “Among Us” joins us on Story & Craft.

Owen discusses his unexpected path to animation, detailing his time teaching English in China and the early motivation that pushed him to pursue art outside his hometown. He shares the hands-on process of creating a fully hand-drawn, 2D animated series and the practical challenges of pitching adult animation in an industry that relies heavily on genre stereotypes.

He also explains the unique dynamics of directing voice actors, noting why comedy actors naturally excel with timing in the booth. Owen talks about navigating production hurdles – such as animating before recording voices during the actors' strike – and shares how taking solo road trips helps him recharge creatively.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Owen Dennis joins Story & Craft

00:08:29 | Escaping the Great Recession by moving to China

00:13:27 | Losing a one-person art contest

00:15:20 | Why 2D animation is making a massive comeback

00:18:09 | Animating “Among Us” during the actors' strike

00:24:36 | The biggest hurdle when pitching adult animation

00:28:34 | Turning a notebook doodle into a hit character

00:34:00 | Unplugging on solo road trips to find new ideas

00:40:13 | Why comedy actors dominate the voice booth

00:44:16 | Why Robert Pattinson was born to do voiceover

00:45:48 | The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

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Actor Tommi Rose, from Nickelodeon to Prime Video’s “The Devil’s Mouth,” joins us on Story & Craft.

Tommi shares her experiences going from a theater kid in Florida to making the leap to Los Angeles at seventeen after working on Nickelodeon's “I Am Frankie”. We talk about the importance of keeping your imagination alive as an artist, and how her “double Pisces” daydreaming habit is actually a superpower. She also shares some incredibly grounding advice she received early on from working alongside Burt Reynolds.

We also get into her experience filming Prime Video's “The Devil's Mouth”. Tommi talks about the grueling physical challenge of shooting in massive water tanks in Thailand, and how she managed the stress by buying a tiny local oven to bake her famous dirt pies and chocolate chip cookies for the cast. From managing a tricky gluten allergy abroad to her go-to morning playlist, Tommi gives us a great look at how she stays centered and positive.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Tommi Rose joins Story & Craft

00:04:48 | The Jelly Bean Camp and falling in love with musical theater

00:06:49 | Why excitement outweighed the intimidation of moving to LA at seventeen

00:12:00 | Defending the importance of daydreaming for artists

00:15:47 | Refusing to limit her ambitions to just one career path

00:22:54 | Burt Reynolds' advice on listening to your scene partner

00:26:44 | How her close-knit family keeps her sane in Hollywood

00:32:00 | Realizing she was stress-baking and bringing the joy back to the holidays

00:33:22 | Buying a mini oven in Thailand to bake for the cast

00:46:27 | The physical exhaustion of shooting survival scenes in water tanks

00:51:00 | The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

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Actor Jamie Hector from “The Wire” and Apple TV’s “Cape Fear” joins us on Story & Craft.

We discuss Jamie’s roots, having grown up in Brooklyn as the youngest of seven and how his older sister sparked his early love for the arts. Jamie shares the exact moment he knew he belonged in the creative world – walking into a community theater space when he was 16 and feeling an instant connection to the energy in the room. It wasn't long before he shifted his focus away from college chemistry classes and fully committed to acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

We also talk about his dedication to giving back through his youth program, Moving Mountains, which has mentored thousands of kids in Brooklyn over the last two decades. To cap it off, Jamie talks about the unique validation of being handpicked by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg for his current role.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Jamie Hector joins Story & Craft

00:03:38 | Anthony Bourdain's surprise interview with Michael K. Williams in Brooklyn

00:07:33 | Learning tough lessons from a neighborhood firecracker incident

00:09:10 | How his late sister Lisa became his creative North Star

00:13:07 | Waking up at 6 AM to write hip hop with childhood friends

00:14:36 | Discovering his true calling at a local community theater

00:16:55 | Ditching college chemistry to pursue an acting career

00:18:43 | Founding Moving Mountains to empower the next generation of actors

00:20:29 | Committing to his craft at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute

00:22:04 | Why Denzel Washington is his ultimate acting template

00:26:00 | The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

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Actor Chin Han from “Mortal Kombat” and Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” joins us on Story & Craft.

We chat about his unique childhood growing up in Singapore, blending local theater and film with a steady diet of American blockbusters, British television, and Hong Kong martial arts epics. Chin talks about his early days deciding whether to fully commit to acting, balancing his parents' hopes for a traditional profession with his genuine love for the arts, and the ultimate push he gave himself after finishing his degree.

Chin also shares some incredible stories from the sets of films, including his overwhelming first day shooting “The Dark Knight” with Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckhart. We wrap up by talking about his favorite comfort foods – specifically his love for a perfect bowl of rice – and his appreciation for the quiet moments in used bookstores.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Chin Han joins Story & Craft

03:12 | Watching Singapore rapidly evolve through the 1970s and 80s

05:52 | How having parents as educators influenced his early cinematic tastes

08:00 | The unique mix of global television that fueled his love for storytelling

15:59 | Discovering heavy, visceral cinema like “The Godfather” at a young age

20:00 | The fast-paced, guerrilla-style filmmaking of Steven Soderbergh's “Contagion”

25:52 | Pushing for volume and authenticity in Asian-American on-screen representation

29:32 | The massive global reach of the American film industry

33:17 | Working with his cinematic heroes on the set of “The Dark Knight”

38:45 | Building a performance from the outside in using wardrobe and armor

42:25 | The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

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Actor Aaron Moten from “Disjointed” and Prime Video’s “Fallout” joins us on Story & Craft.

We catch up with Aaron as he settles into life in Los Angeles after spending five years in Iceland with his family. We chat about his Texas roots growing up in Austin, his pivot from an aspiring lawyer to a Juilliard-trained actor, and the realities of translating stage acting to working on camera.

He also shares some behind-the-scenes moments from his recent work. From having Kathy Bates advocate for him early in his television career to a hilarious “baptism by fire” stunt sequence on his very first day shooting Fallout, Aaron brings a ton of heart and insight to the table.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 | Aaron Moten joins Story & Craft

00:03:24 | The beauty of Iceland's audible blank canvas

00:10:12 | Dealing with late growth spurts and the pressure of playing point guard

00:12:43 | Why pretending to be a lawyer is much more fun than actually being one

00:15:24 | Developing technical tools and a fallback plan at Juilliard

00:18:32 | The hard lesson of saving your tears for the close-up shot

00:21:03 | Understanding focal lengths and camera coverage on a multi-cam set

00:24:59 | Kathy Bates' unbelievable work ethic and on-set advocacy

00:29:00 | Jonah Nolan's baptism by fire and a terrifying missing harness

00:32:13 | Transforming the Namibian desert into a post-apocalyptic Santa Monica

00:35:50 | The Seven Questions

STAY IN THE KNOW

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Actor and comedian Rosalee Mayeux from “Magnum, P.I.” and “Model Mom” joins us on Story & Craft.

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

00:00 | Rosalee Mayeux joins Story & Craft

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

STAY IN THE KNOW

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Actor Olivia Rose Keegan from “Days of Our Lives,” Paramount+'s “Dutton Ranch” and “Scary Movie” joins us on Story & Craft.

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

00:00 | Olivia Rose Keegan joins Story & Craft

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

STAY IN THE KNOW

• Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com

FOLLOW THE SHOW

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