Media Path Podcast

In 1951, 15-year-old Bruce Belland sneaked into a backstage door at Ciro’s Nightclub to get a glimpse of his idols, The Mills Brothers. That fateful night inspired Bruce to form The Four Preps and forge a vocal harmony career that brought us the hits, “26 Miles” and “Big Man.” Bruce has spent 70 years loaded with questions for his musical heroes and, at long last, he gets to pose them to John H. Mills II, the son of original Mills Brother Donald Mills. John toured with his father for 17 years and he’s got answers!We hand our fanboy the reins and these two harmony kings go deep into shop talk, discussing style, phrasing, timing, technique and arrangements. They share road stories, talk about John’s childhood with his trailblazing father and uncles and explore how each of them related to their larger-than-life fathers.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman and Avatar: The Way of Water.Path Points of Interest:The Mills BrothersThe Mills Brothers on WikipediaMills Brothers Documentary Part 1Part 2Part 3John Mills in a Tribute to Glenn Miller and the Vocal Groups - Feb. 19thBruce BellandThe Four PrepsAvatar: The Way of the Water - In TheatersMy Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman

Shawn Pelofsky and Vicki Barbolak are fellow standup comedy besties who are taking their friendship to the next level. Yes, they would like to announce their podcast.Shawn and Vicki host Trailer Park Diaries. Partly truth, mostly make believe, as if Prairie Home Companion moved into a double wide.We go behind the trailer with Shawn and Vicki to learn just how much of their diary stories are true and how much is merely aspirational. We’re also talking about the spine strength either required or acquired by women in comedy. We discuss crowd work, improv rules and knowing your audience.And Shawn confesses that she is as hooked on The Real Housewives as they appear to be on wine. Weezy’s reality drug of choice is The Bachelor. We’ve all watched Harry and Meghan and we have opinions!Plus, Fritz and Weezy recommend The Order of Myths and Descendant on Netflix, HBO's Pelosi in the House and 'Mercury Pictures Presents' by Anthony Marra.Path Points of Interest:Trailer Park DiariesTrailer Park Diaries on YoutubeShawn PelofskySocial Media MeltdownsVicki BarbolakVicki Barbolak on YoutubeThe Order of Myths - Netflix Descendant - Netflix Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony MarraPelosi in the House

John Sebastian’s rich musical catalogue reflects a life deeply steeped in craft, cultural resonance and history. John’s career has taken him from The Lovin’ Spoonful to Bob Dylan to Mama Cass to Woodstock to movie soundtracks and beyond. John joins us to share stories of his creatively colorful Greenwich Village childhood, surrounded by folk and classical luminaries, his harmonica virtuoso father, his screenwriting mother and his Godmother, Vivian Vance!His talent and experiences inspired him to write and record an ecclectic array of hits including: Summer In The City, Darlin’ Be Home Soon, Welcome Back, Nashville Cats, You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Do You Believe In Magic and a bunch more.And John comes to us brining word of his newest album with Arlen Roth called John and Arlen Explore The Lovin’ Spoonful Songbook.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Harry and Meghan on Netflix and Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something, on Prime Video. Also, we introduce our first Helping Folks Help charity partner, Children's Burn Foundation.Path Points of Interest:John SebastianJohn and Arlen Revisit The Lovin' Spoonful SongbookJohn Sebastion in The Songwriters' Hall of FameJ.B.s Harmonica by John SebastianDarlin' Be Home Soon Live On The Ed Sullivan ShowHarry and Meghan - Netflix Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do SomethingChildren's Burn Foundation

We welcome radio royalty. Two kings, baring gifts of knowledge, experience, stories and maybe some myrrh. Guy Zapoleon, President of Zapoleon Consulting, is a veteran of almost 50 years in the business. He’s programmed and consulted major radio stations including KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, Z100 in New York and KZZP in Phoenix.Jhani Kaye is the longest running Program Director of a music station in the country’s largest market, Los Angeles, working with KOST-FM for 23 years.Guy and Jhani tell us what drew them to radio, how they started, what they’ve learned, the hit records they launched and, within an era of streaming media, what is to become of radio!?We get way into the fun and fantastic heyday of radio replete with big personalities, big hits and bigger hair. The promotions and publicity stunts, the 10-year music cycle, what the future looks like and so much more.... plus, our co-hosts weigh in with their own radio background stories, Fritz having started his media career on the air, on a ship in the Navy and Weezy as co-founder of Premiere Radio Networks, now part of iHeartMedia!All of that plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending 'Sr.' on Netflix + 'Spector' on Showtime.Path Points of Interest:Guy ZapoleonGuy Zapoleon’s 2021 10-Year Music Cycle UpdateMusic Cycle Updated, Part 1Music Cycles, Part 2Sr.- NetflixSpector on Showtime 

At the age of 19, David Leaf created a To-Do list: 1) Write about Brian Wilson 2) Become his friend 3) Help him finish SMILE. Mission accomplished.You may know Brian as an extraordinary artist who spread surf, song and Southern California style around the world, but there is SO much more to uncover.David has released an expanded version of his seminal tome entitled ‘God Only Knows” The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the California Myth,’. First published in 1978, and updated in 1985, the story continues to unfold and this definitive opus has been extensively bookended with what amounts to an entirely bonus book of Brian Lore.David joins us for an in-depth conversation, digging into Brian Wilson's artistry and influences as we explore his relationships with family, fellow Beach Boys + the triumphant hero’s journey of 'SMiLE’. Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending 1899 on Netflix and the movie 'She Said', now in theaters.Path Points of Interest:David LeafGod Only Knows by David LeafLong Promised Road TrailerBrian Wilson: Long Promised RoadBeautiful Dreamer: The Story of Smile DocumentaryI Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Don Was's Brian Wilson Documentary)BBC production of God Only Knows  God Only Knows Reader’s Guide VIP Experience for purchasing the book David Leaf at UCLA 1899 - NetflixShe Said - In Theaters 

Liz Astrof is a writer, producer and show runner who has helped create some of your favorite sitcoms, including King of Queens, 2 Broke Girls, Whitney, Becker and Last Man Standing, while precariously balancing marriage, career and children beyond the storm of her own darkly dangerous childhood.Liz has written a wickedly funny, raw and revealing book, called 'STAY-AT-WORK MOM' which hilariously pours a conflicted cocktail of emotions, highly relatable to anyone who has ever attempted to build a career, raise a family, or, boldly do both!Liz provides us with an inside look at her difficult childhood, her parenting style, her creative process, working with tightly wound  comedian/actor types and sharing a career path with her writer/brother Jeff.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the The Automat documentary  and Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song.Path Points of Interest:Liz Astrof Amazon Author PageLiz Astrof on IMDBStay at Work Mom: Marriage, Kids and Other Disasters by Liz AstrofLiz Astrof on InstagramLiz Astrof on TwitterThe Automat - Amazon PrimeHallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A journey, A Song Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris Perform Hallelujah at Hope for Haiti TV eventMariane and Leonard: Words of Love Leonard Cohen Website

We are three guests deep, welcoming Guy’s Guy, Robert Manni whose brand and purpose are all about guiding men and boys through an ever-changing cultural landscape towards a better understanding of themselves, women and our collective human experience.From there, we’re backstage with The Cowsills who are bedecked with jolly and about to take the stage for the Andy Williams Moon River Theater Christmas Extravaganza in Branson. The Cowsills just dropped brand new music with their album, Rhythm of the World, they share a special history with our co-host Louise Palanker who directed the doc, Family Band: The Cowsills Story, they are armed with teen idol memories and ready to play Teen Mag Trivia AND, they will close out their appearance here with a helping of Christmas Carol!We culminate with KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis, host of Greater L.A. and a man who truly understands Los Angeles on a granular, neighborhood level. What do Angelenos need and expect from their local NPR station? How is public media structured? What is the news/music/information mix that suits listeners? And how can public radio best entertain and inform the people it serves? Plus Fritz and Weezy are celebrating British women of particular note and character, recommending The Crown and Enola Holmes on Netflix and PBS’s Miss Scarlet and The Duke.Path Points of Interest:The CowsillsRhythm of the WorldRhythm of the World on YoutubeThe Cowsills PodcastThe Happy Together TourFamily Band: The Cowsills Story on PrimeThe Andy Williams Moon River TheaterThe Cowsills on FacebookSusie squeals on The Cowsills Bob Answers 80 Intimate QuestionsOur Hates and Loves by The Cowsills Fritz and Weezy on The Cowsills' PodcastRobert ManniThe Guy's Guy Guide To Love by Robert ManniGuy's Guy TV Guy's Guy PodcastFritz and Weezy on Guy's Guy TV  Fritz and Weezy on Guy's Guy Podcast Robert Manni on InstagramRobert Manni on TwitterRobert Manni on FacebookSteve ChiotakisKCRWSteve Chiotakis Socials @RadioChio. Steve Chiotakis on FacebookBorn and RazedGreater L.A.Fritz and Weezy on Greater L.A.Miss Scarlet and The Duke on PBSEnola Holmes on NetflixThe Crown

In 2009, Tom Vann and Daniel Dennis left their corporate radio gigs and ventured boldly into the great unknown of podcasting with their under promisingly titled show, A Mediocre Time with Tom and Dan. Armed with only their well-honed rapport, technical know-how, business acumen and a hearty helping of tenacity, Tom and Dan have successfully transitioned, along with their Orlando, FL fan base, from terrestrial radio to streaming audio, bringing their charismatic, easy chemistry and fearless candor to a devoted following who have endearingly labeled themselves, “Scumbags.”It hasn't been easy. T & D have sacrificed and faced difficult decisions. They’ve contended with  legal entanglements and crash coursed the basics of running the sales & marketing end of their business. Tom and Dan join us to talk about everything from publicity stunts to, baring their souls to podcast monetization!Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Tár, now in theaters and God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty on Hulu.Path Points of Interest:A Mediocre Time with Tom and DanA Mediocre Documentary with Tom and DanAbout Tom and DanTom and Dan on TwitchTom and Dan on YoutubeTom and Dan on FacebookTom and Dan on TwitterA Corporate Time With Tom and DanTar - In TheatersGod Forbid: The Sex Scandal that Brought Down a DynastyOff The Deep End: Jerry and Becki Falwell and the Collapse of an Evangelical Dynasty Hillsong Exposed

Don McMillan took the path less traveled, in fact he may be that path’s lone pedestrian. Don came to stand-up comedy from Silicon Valley. A former engineer with a Masters from Stanford, the comedy and problem solving portions of Don’s brain have collaborated to craft a unique act that features a hilarious roast of power point presentations, illustrated, of course, by a power point presentation.Don’s uniquely relatable brand of stand-up took him to the semi-finals on this year’s America’s Got Talent. With jokes that are perfectly pithy, while maintaining all the elegance of the Pythagorean Theorem, Don has established a Corporate comedy niche that finds him performing consistently for an audience of global brand giants.Don joins us with AGT behind-the-scenes secrets, success tips and power point dos and don’ts!Plus, Weezy recommends ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger and Fritz's pick is B.J. Novak’s VENGEANCE.Path Points of Interest:Don McMillanDon McMillan on YoutubeDon McMillan AGT SemifinalsDon McMillan on TwitterDon McMillan on InstagramVengeance - PrimeOrdinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Our guest is Joyce Chopra who broke bold ground as a female filmmaker in the 1970s with her award winning documentary short, Joyce at 34, profiling her own struggle as a working woman, to have and raise a child. The film’s existence thus proving that she could do both.Her Sundance winning feature, (One of the first directed by a woman) Smooth Talk (1985) starring Treat Williams and Laura Dern opened doors to male dominated spaces that she treacherously navigated, paving paths for others to follow.Joyce’s new book, Lady Director: Adventures in Hollywood, Television and Beyond, tells her captivating stories.Also joining us is Jan Perry a Los Angeles civic leader now serving as Executive Director of Shelter Partnership which helps provide essential needs to the unhoused. Jan shares that we can all work together to help address the homeless crisis in our cities.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Amsterdam in theaters and a Jazzman’s Blues on Netflix.Path Points of Interest:Lady Director: Adventures in Hollywood, Television and Beyond by Joyce ChopraLady Director at City Lights BooksJoyce Chopra on IMDBJoyce at 34Smooth TalkSmooth Talk on IMDBByKids - Real World Films For Kids, By KidsAn American Girl on the Home FrontJoyce Chopra Films on CriterionShelter PartnershipShelter Partnership on FacebookShelter Partnership on TwitterJan PerryAmsterdamA Jazzman's BluesGift of Democracy