Media Path Podcast

Prepare to be inspired: we're chatting with bold women who are dynamically improving our world for us and for future generations. Dr. Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton have co-written The Anti-Racist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook. It’s a hands-on approach to teaching anti-racist action, combining neuroscience and mindfulness with social justice. Plus, Assembly Member Laura Friedman is running for California’s 30th Congressional seat and she shares her vision for meeting the needs of constituents.Dr. Roxy and Sarah talk about the neuroscience which undergirds their workbook and how self-compassion is fundamental in working towards a deeper  understanding of race and its effect on our lived experiences. Removing shame allows us to align our anger with the love at its core. What matters most to us and why are we fighting to protect it? Understanding the root of our values will help us create a more equitable world.Then, Assembly Member Laura Friedman has vital March ballot info for California voters. The top two contenders from our March Primary will make their way  onto the November ballot where they will vie for Adam Schiff’s seat. He is currently running to become our next Senator. Laura tells us about her background, her impressive progressive record and how she plans to take her skill set into Congress where she will actively work towards addressing our homeless issue, environmental justice, health care for all, bringing down the cost of housing and removing dark money from elections.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Prize: An Epic Quest For Oil And Money on Prime and Great Photo, Lovely Life on HBO Max.Path Points of Interest:Laura Friedman For CongressLaura Friedman Official Assembly Member WebsiteLaura Friedman on FacebookLaura Friedman on TwitterThe Anti-Racist Heart: A Self-Compassion And Activism Handbook by Dr. Roxy Manning & Sarah PeytonHow to Have Antiracist Conversations  Fierce Compassion PodcastDr. Roxy ManningDr. Roxy Manning on LinkedIn Dr. Roxy Manning on Instagram Dr. Roxy Manning on FacebookSarah PeytonSarah Peyton on LinkedInSarah Peyton on InstagramSarah Peyton on FacebookSarah Peyton on TwitterSarah Peyton on YoutubeGreat Photo, Lovely Life - HBO MaxThe Prize: An Epic Quest For Oil, Money and Power by Daniel YerginThe Prize: An Epic Quest For Oil, Money and Power Documentary Series - Amazon PrimeL.A. VotesL.A. County Voting

We are celebrating the most important gifts of any season: love, companionship and connection. Our guests are author Pilley Bianchi whose book, For The Love off Dog celebrates our rich canine bestie history and invites you to teach your any-age dog some new tricks. And TJ Lubinsky joins us to discuss his newest My Music Presents/PBS Special, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme: Memories of My Mom And Dad.Inspired by the work of her father John W. Pilley, the psychologist whose Border collie, Chaser, charmed the nation with his impressive understanding of language, Pilley hopes to share with you what she learned from her Dad and Chaser and inspire you to to better engage with your dog. She’s written the ultimate handbook designed to teach you how to teach your dog.TJ Lubinsky is eager to tell us about his 20 year journey towards finally making the Steve and Eydie special of his dreams. Teen heartbreak led TJ to sooth his soul with the sound of Steve Lawrence and now TJ has teamed with Carol Burnett, Michael Feinstein and Steve and Eydie’s son, David Lawrence, to bring you a PBS special rich with remarkable musical TV moments featuring his parents singing, I’m Into Something Big, Sunrise Sunset, Blame It On The Bossa Nova, Portrait Of My Love, More, and more! We learn from TJ that management obstruction led to the long delay. We hear about the surprising source of the pristine footage he was able to find deep in a vault and we come to understand the role David's recollections played in the making of this visual celebration of the greatest singing spouse act in American music history. All that, plus TJ shares how his attention to detail pays off in the live shows he produces featuring legacy acts, why he always begins every project with the right intentions and the seemingly serendipitous ways in which he helps artists receive their well earned moments of recognition and appreciation!And Fritz is recommending Napoleon in theaters and streaming, and Weezy was moved by the Charles Blow documentary South to Black Power on Max.Path Points of Interest:TJ Lubinsky on WikipediaTJ Lubinsky on FacebookTJ Lubinsky on InstagramCurrent.org articleSteve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme: Memories Of My Mom And DadSteve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme: Memories Of My Mom And Dad TrailerPBS PassportTreasury CollectionPilley BianchiFor The Love of Dog: The Ultimate Relationship Guide by Pilley Bianchi and Calum HeathPilley on InstagramPilley on YouTubeChaser and JohnChaser on WikipediaChaser and John on YoutubeChaser and John on Sixty MinutesChaser and John on NovaNapoleon - Theaters/HBO Max/PrimeSouth To Black Power on Max

It’s a not entirely merry episode of Media Path with some hard but cautionary truths about guardianships AND, a new Christmas musical that celebrates our festive diversity.Greg Thirloway and Maurice Godin are launching a new musical called Oy To The World, that celebrates the Jewish composers who brought us so many carol classics like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Oh, Holy Night and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Then, we're speaking with investigative journalist, Diane Dimond whose new book about the dangers of guardianship is required reading in a Post-#FreeBritney world.Oy To The World: Christmas With A Twist will premiere, December 14-23, at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre:  Greg and Maurice give us a sneak peak into their new show which takes place at a Catskills lodge where the new owner decides to put on a Christmas show. In so doing, Christmas carol backstories emerge. Did you know, for example that Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is inspired by writer Bob May being teased as a child about his “Jewish” nose? So, yes, not just Jesus, but also Rudolph was Jewish!Diane joins us to discuss her new book, We’re Here To Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong. She shares her extensive research into the dangerously secretive and insular “legal” practices which lead to citizens losing control of their finances and their freedom. The guardianship or conservatorship systems in the U.S. are state-run,largely unregulated and increasingly populated by financially motivated predators.As we’ve learned from Britney, anyone who has saved some money or who is earning money is at risk. Diane offers shocking examples of the system’s dysfunction and the victims and devastated family members left in its destructive wake. Diane also offers solutions and tips for keeping yourself and your family members safe. As a generation of Boomers continues aging, it is vitally important that we address, amend and federalize guardianship law.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the new Joan Baez documentary on Prime and Apple TV, I Am Noise and a new crazy cult doc mini-series on Max, Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God.Path Points of Interest:Diane DimondWe're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong by Diane DimondGuardianship Central ResourcesDiane Dimond on FacebookDiane Dimond on TwitterOy! to the World: Christmas With A TwistUse Code: FRITZ for $5 discount on any performance!El Portal on FacebookEl Portal on InstagramMaurice Godin on IMDBGreg Thirloway on IMDBJoan Baez - I Am NoiseLove Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

Many young people raised within the restrictive discipline of a strict, Christian evangelical childhood are pulling away from that narrow and dogmatic framework as adults and finding comfort and guidance in a podcasting community of fellow travelers who are walking a similar path.  Among these bold podcasters are two former church leaders who are now critical voices in a campaign against Christian Nationalism and for a free and fair pluralistic democracy.Scholar, author, coach and co-host of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi joins us along with musician, author and host of Chapel Probation, Scott Okamoto.In Brad’s new book, Preparing for War, he offers brilliant insights into our history and legacy of colonialism, racism and white supremacy and how our untreated wounds continue to fester and infect our political landscape. Bigotry and prejudice are even more insidiously dangerous when they come holding a cross, wrapped in a flag.Brad’s podcast with Dan Miller is Straight White American Jesus in which the two university professors examine and discuss the intersection of the religious right  and politics in America.Scott’s focus is on Evangelical colleges. He taught for 16 years at Azusa Pacific University and become increasingly disillusioned by the subpar academic standards in support of white supremacy. His book, Asian American Apostate recounts his struggle to break free of a value system that encourages White Christian cultural power and to, instead, embrace his own Japanese heritage.Scott’s podcast, Chapel Probation features conversations with fellow evangelical college graduates with horrifying stories to share about life on the inside and their escapes from racist, sexist and unforgiving indoctrination.We talk in-depth about the problematic curricula at Fundamentalist Christian colleges, homeschooling and private religious education. We explore the meaning of  deconstruction and decolonization as the terms apply to those departing from Christian backgrounds, the Seven Mountains mandate, the new Apostolic Reformation, the ascension of Mike Johnson, purity culture, why the right loves Trump and Putin & much more.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Holdovers and Rustin.Path Points of Interest:Brad OnishiStraight White American JesusStraight White American Jesus on FacebookStraight White American Jesus on TwitterPreparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism - And What Comes Next by Brad OnishiScott OkamotoAsian American Apostate by Scott OkamotoChapel Probation PodcastScott Okamoto on InstagramScott Okamoto on Twitter/XThe HoldoversRustin - NetflixMama's Boy - Dustin Lance Black Documentary

Every boomer was gutted and then rocked by the tragedy of JFK’s assassination followed by the joy of The Beatles’ arrival at the airport named in his honor. Both topics continue to resonate. Today on the show, broadcasting pioneer and JFK assassination historian John Barbour joins us to discuss his latest film, John Barbour & William Shakespeare’s Last Word On The Murder of JFK. And Breakfast With The Beatles Host Chris Carter is with us to talk about his live appearances and The Beatles’ return to the charts!Emmy Winning writer/host/comedian/director John Barbour has been studying JFK’s assassination since he first picked up Mark Lane’s book, Rush To Judgement. John has extensively interviewed New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison, who prosecuted alleged conspirator Clay Shaw and inspired Oliver Stone’s groundbreaking film JFK. John’s richly researched assassination documentaries soon followed. His third will be screened on November 22nd, the 60th anniversary of the assassination, at the Laemmle Encino Town Center.Breakfast With The Beatles host Chris Carter is a founding member of the 80s alternative band Dramarama, known for the iconic 1986 single, Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You). He joins us to talk Beatles. With our attention now so diversified there will never be another band as popular, inspiring and influential. Chris is celebrating 40 years of broadcasting BWTB (now available five days a week on Sirius XM and Sundays on KLOS) with live broadcast events around Los Angeles. Chris shares his playlist programming process and discusses the challenges of doing justice to the most well known foursome in the world and their devoted fans. You can test your own Beatles knowledge as Chris reveals fascinating facts plus his insights into the relationships between the bandmates, his thoughts on what it was like to become world famous while still so young, and why the Beatles have fans of every age from every generation. And Chris shares intriguing background on the creation of the new hit song, Now and Then. We also take a tangential trip into music docs (including Chris's Rodney Bingenheimer film, Mayor of the Sunset Strip).In recommendations, Fritz is offering Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Mathew Desmond and Weezy is watching (after having read!) Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+.Path Points of Interest:John BarbourJohn Barbour on WikipediaJohn Barbour’s & William Shakespeare’s Last Word on The Murder of JFK at The Laemmle Town Center 5 in EncinoBreakfast with the BeatlesChris Carter on WikipediaBreakfast with The Beatles on FacebookBreakfast with The Beatles on InstagramMayor of the Sunset StripDramarama on It's FritzLessons in Chemistry on Apple TVEvicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Mathew Desmond

Filmmakers possess the unique ability to immerse us in the lived experiences of others and in so doing, promote kindness, compassion and empathy.  Directors Tracy Droz Tragos and Charles Mudede join us to share their newest projects. Tracy’s film is called Plan C and it follows a network of courageous women who are working to ensure access to pregnancy terminating medications. Charles directed Thin Skin, a powerful and funny look into the life of musician/comedian Ahamefule Oluo who has never met but lives in the shadow of his Nigerian father.Charles Mudede is a writer, cultural critic and filmmaker whose film is inspired by Oluo’s stage play which began as a segment on This American Life. It’s the story of a young, bi-racial man in search of himself while grappling with divorce, children, identity, purpose and the heartbreak of displeasing an absent father.Tracy Droz Tragos is an accomplished and award winning documentarian whose film, Plan C documents the heroic work of the women who comprise a grassroots effort to safeguard access to the two-drug treatment known as a medial abortion. The drugs are prescribed legally through telemedicine visits, however access to information about their availability is muzzled. Tracy’s hope is that her film will raise awareness. We also discuss the doctors on the frontline, the supportive husbands, the social media shutdowns and messaging workarounds:… a mobile billboard, subway ads and QR code stickers in college restrooms. We then get into legal intrigues like individual state policies, Shield Laws and the Supreme Court’s squeeze between two masters… the religious right and big pharma.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Alexandra Pelosi’s The Insurrectionist Next Door on Max and Stephen Spielberg’s Life on Our Planet on Netflix.Path Points of InterestTracy Droz TragosPlan C Plan C TrailerPlan C on FacebookPlan C on InstagramPlan C on TwitterThe Turnaway StudyThin Skin Thin Skin Screening InformationThink Skin TrailerThin Skin on FacebookCharles Mudede on WikipediaThe Wedding Crasher - This American LifeThe Insurrectionist Next DoorPelosi in The HouseLife on Our Planet - Netflix 

Bruce Belland’s new book is called Icons, Idols and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America’s First Boy Band and boy, did he have adventures! Bruce founded The Four Preps while still in Hollywood High School. They became Ricky Nelson’s backup band, co-starred in Gidget and The Adventures of Ozzy & Harriet and went on to score massive hits with 26 Miles Across The Sea, Big Man, and Down By The Station. In his book and on this episode, Bruce’s storytelling is engaging and enlightening. He shares teen idol road stories, his Disneyland dream date with Annette Funicello (that devolved into a nauseous nightmare) his day on the set of a TV special with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and Louis Armstrong, exactly why a wholesome boy singer would include in his book a chapter titled, One Dead Junkie and a Masturbating Monkey, how the love and wisdom of his minister father and sharp witted mother fortified his remarkable journey, and the powerfully poignant night of President Kennedy’s assassination when The Preps gave voice to heartbreak at Ohio State University. Through it all, Bruce remains a student. He confides what he learned from Gene Kelly, Ozzy Nelson and George Burns and just how he embraces the blessing of encountering someone who knows more than you and opening yourself up to new lessons.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Killers of the Flower Moon, in theaters and Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, a doc series on Prime.Path Points of Interest:Bruce BellandIcons, Idols, and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America's First Boy Band by Bruce BellandThe Edsel ShowThe Four Preps on WikipediaKillers of the Flower Moon - In TheatersDesperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe

In the pop culture pantheon there are those few and proud performers who have indelibly imprinted the landscape to the point where our digital age invites new fans to discover and embrace their iconic work. Among these are Dinah Manoff and JoBeth Williams.Dinah breathed delightful life into Pink Lady Marty Maraschino in Grease. She has starred in Soap, Empty Nest and Neil Simon’s You Oughta Be In Pictures. JoBeth’s portrayal of Diane Freeling in Poltergeist is on repeat every Halloween and her turn in the generation-defining drama, The Big Chill is a boomer must. These two ground-breaking creators have much to share with us, including their exciting new projects.Dinah’s brilliantly hilarious work of fiction is called The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold. We recommend you listen to the audio version, performed by a cast of gifted actors. Dinah wrote what she knows but not exactly. Jackie is a world famous, tabloid darling narrating her story from deep within a coma induced by an ill-fated, paparazzi dodging balcony leap. Dinah was simply raised by show-biz parents Lee Grant and Arnold Manoff in the star-sprinkled Malibu Colony.Dinah shares her mom’s journey from being Dinah’s harshest critic to her biggest fan girl, and the harrowing story of her dad’s McCarthy-era blacklisting. We also learn how Dinah’s parenting of her own kids has taken a very different path.JoBeth is currently starring, with Peter Strauss in the stage play, Love Among The Ruins. It is running through November 5th at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre. JoBeth and Peter are taking on roles portrayed by Katharine Hepburn and Sir Laurence Olivier and rising beautifully to that challenge!She comes to us with spooky, inside-Poltergeist secrets, corset-wearing horror stories from Wyatt Earp, and tips on how to handle a nude scene with a five-year-old co-star from Kramer vs. Kramer. And, as President emeritus, JoBeth shares how we can all lend assistance to struggling actors through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.Plus, Weezy is strongly recommending Timothy Egan’s disturbing examination of the KKK in the 1920s, A Fever In The Heartland. And Fritz is very keen on Ken Burns' American Buffalo on PBS and Amazon Prime. All that plus an inspiring clip from Illinois Governor J.B. Prtizker's moving Northwestern commencement speech.Path Points of Interest:Dinah ManoffThe Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold by Dinah Manoff on AmazonThe Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold paperback book buy linkDinah Manoff on WikipediaDinah Manoff on IMDBJoBeth WilliamsLove Among The RuinsSee Love Among the Ruins at The El PortalJoBeth Williams on WikipediaJoBeth Williams on IMDBSAG-AFTRA FoundationA Fever In The Heartland by Timothy EganAmerican Buffalo - PBS/PrimeGovernor Prtizker's Northwestern commencement speech

Singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan continues to grace audiences around the globe with his wit, warmth, whimsy and musical genius as he has been doing since 1970 when he stirred UK audiences with Nothing Rhymed and then captured and broke hearts around the world with Alone Again, (Naturally.) The song has been covered over 75 times, including by Nina Simone, Neil Diamond, The Pet Shop Boys and Elton John, Michael Buble and Diana Krall (A duet about being alone? OK.)Gilbert stood out not only for his inventively catchy and wrenching songs but also for his carefully crafted personal style. Initially inspired by silent film stars and later by college lads. He would emboss outfits with a large letter G. (Gilbert U. Fine school.)And still today, Gilbert continues to set a distinctive path with new music, duets with today’s stars and world tours. He’ll be hitting the west coast in November with exclusive dates, including L.A.’s Troubadour.Gilbert talks with us about his influences, his musical style and philosophy, and his deep and abiding appreciation for fans who have so embraced his songs. We also get into his ground-breaking court cases which won him back his catalogue of songs from manager, Gordon Mills and took on the new world of sampling when Biz Markie “borrowed”  Alone Again (Naturally). Gilbert had said no because he does not want that song to be used comedically.Oh, and what’s Clair doing now? Well, she is no longer in need of a babysitter and we have an update!In recommendations, Fritz saw The Burial (2023) in theaters. Weezy has been listening to two podcasts: Grapevine and We Don't Talk About Leonard and Gilbert does not own a cell phone but thanks to his daughter’s tech support, he is enjoying the podcast, McCartney: A Life In Lyrics.Path Points of Interest:Gilbert O'SullivanGilbert O'Sullivan: Live in the USA Sizzle ReelGilbert O'Sullivan DocumentaryGilbert O'Sullivan on WikipediaGilbert O'Sullivan on TwitterGilbert O'Sullivan on FacebookGilbert O'Sullivan Upcoming Tour DatesGilbert's New Album, DrivenThe BurialGrapevine We Don't Talk About LeonardMcCartney: A Life in Lyrics

Concetta Tomei's richly recognizable presence has warmed screens for 40 years. Her Italian roots, the American dreams of her parents and grandparents and her midwestern upbringing, plus four years as a seventh and eighth grade teacher prepared and sustained her as she faced show biz rigors and rejections. Her acting chops were masterfully honed on the New York stage where she performed off-Broadway and on, in the New York Shakespeare Festival, in Cyrano with Kevin Kline and in The Elephant Man with David Bowie.Concetta shares her fierce heart and dynamic spirit as she regales us with story after story of her uniquely thrilling life as a character actor. She talks about her love for her co-stars: David Bowie’s kindness and intensity, Brian Dennehy’s thoughtful mentorship, Dick Van Dyke’s fun and curiosity, and Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau’s propensity to crack each other up on the set of Out To Sea while Concetta got to dance with Donald O’Connor!Concetta goes into tender detail about her wonderful, supportive parents, who immigrated to Kenosha from Italy and who she credits with much of her success. She also pays grateful homage to her education, studying drama at what became DePaul University, and the deep lessons provided by the works of Shakespeare and her treasured opportunities to perform key roles.Her paths of learning, and preparing led her to starring roles in China Beach and Providence and opened the gates of Star Trek fandom with an appearance as Minister Odala on Star Trek: Voyager.We play a few rounds of IMDB Roulette with a spicy story from the set of Dynasty. (Lesson Learned: Do not incur the wrath of Joan Collins). Concetta is also an animal rights activist and she would love for you to look into the work of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.In recommendations, Fritz got into the Netflix docu-series Beckham, and Weezy is living for ABC's The Golden Bachelor.Path Points of Interest:Concetta Tomei on WikipediaConcetta Tomei on IMDBConcetta Tomei on TCMBest Friends Animal SocietyConcetta Tomei on FacebookThe Golden BachelorBeckham - Netflix