Special Edition Alert! Buckle up for a wild ride on this episode of "Are We On The Air?©" as Shawn sits down with the one and only Joey Mazzant—social media wizard, Orlando tourism guru, and all-around powerhouse of personality!

From skyrocketing his career through smart, savvy social media moves to becoming the go-to guy for everything travel and theme parks in Orlando, Joey brings stories, laughs, and insider secrets you won’t hear anywhere else. 

Ever wondered how to beat the lines at Disney or what are the hidden gems in Americas top tourist destination? Joey’s got the answers—and trust us, you don’t want to miss this one.

Tune in and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even plan your next vacation!

In this can't-miss Part 2 of our deep dive into QVC history and its future, we’re back with Marv Segel—son of QVC founder Joseph Segel—and the legendary original host Paul Kelley.

We kick things off with a nostalgic (and slightly spicy) look at the early QVC days—before guests, before glitz. Was it better back then? Paul shares behind-the-scenes stories from his wild ride on the “50 in 50” tours, traveling coast to coast in the name of live TV.

We also dish on some of QVC’s most iconic hosts (yes, those names come up), then fast-forward to the present to unpack what’s happening at QVC and HSN in 2025. From the shift to social media to sharp insights on where the home shopping biz is headed, this episode is a fascinating, funny, and surprisingly smart ride through retail history and its evolving future.

If you’ve ever bought something at 2AM—or just love a good story—this one’s for you.

In this episode, the drama behind the glittering screens of QVC takes center stage. Your host, the always insightful Shawn Wilsie, is joined by two heavyweights from the world of televised retail: Marvin Segel, son of QVC's legendary founder, and Paul Kelley, one of the network’s original on-air personalities.

Together, these industry insiders rewind the tape to QVC’s golden days—sharing untold stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and what made the network a retail powerhouse. Then, they fast forward to today’s rocky terrain, dissecting what’s gone wrong and where the future might lead.

From QVC icons to comedy greats, a surprising number of stars in the TV shopping world—and beyond—have roots in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In this episode, host Shawn Wilsie dives into the mystery: What is it about Minnesota that produces so much on-air talent?

Joining him is Tom Oszman, media historian and founder of TC Media Now, the go-to archive for decades of Twin Cities television. Tom shares fascinating stories and rare insights into the rise of Minnesota-born personalities—from the polished presence of Nancy Nelson to the unforgettable Louie Anderson.

Whether you're a fan of vintage broadcasts, Minnesota history, or just curious about where TV legends come from, this episode is packed with nostalgia, surprises, and answers.

TC Media Now

Buckle up for Part Two of our conversation with the always entertaining Steve Sedahl! This episode dives into the wild world of two lesser-known TV shopping networks Steve worked at — stories you definitely haven’t heard before. Then, we get into what everyone’s been waiting for: how Steve landed a role on Comedy Central’s cult classic Let’s Bowl, and what it was really like behind the scenes. But before the laughs, we touch on a somber note — the recent and unfortunate closure of Minnesota’s own ShopHQ (formerly Evine, Evine Live, ShopNBC and ValueVIsion), and what it means for the many employees affected. It’s a rollercoaster of stories, surprises, and showbiz nostalgia you won’t want to miss!

Financial Pizza podcast on Spotify

Financial Pizza Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Everyone knows QVC and HSN, but back in the late 1980s, the dominant name in the world of TV shopping was the Cable Value Network—better known as CVN. On this episode, we rewind to 1986 and sit down with original CVN host Steve Sedahl.

Best known to some as “Chopper” from the cult comedy series Let’s Bowl, Steve has enjoyed a long, dynamic career across multiple TV shopping networks. Today, he shares stories from the earliest days of the industry—what it was like behind the cameras, the wild west days of live selling, and how it all laid the groundwork for the shopping channels we know today.

Join us for a nostalgic look back with one of the voices who helped define an era.

Financial Pizza podcast on Spotify

Financial Pizza Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Breaking News: QVC/HSN has just announced that 900 employees are being let go as part of a major downsizing.

So, how is ShopHQ still thriving and staying ahead in the game?

Plus, we’re honoring the legacy of an infomercial icon, who we recently lost. 

The latest annual results for QVC/HSN are in, and let's just say they're not looking pretty—that's the shocking first chapter of today's podcast. But don't worry, we’ve got something special in store after that! The legendary Bob Circosta returns to the show for an unforgettable walk down memory lane, reflecting on the golden days of HSN—the Home Shopping Network. Tune in for an emotional and nostalgic ride as we celebrate the moments that made HSN a household name!

Get ready for a blast from the past as we welcome Bob Circosta, the original HSN host (Home Shopping Club), to the podcast! With the iconic home of HSN in Tampa/St. Petersburg closing its doors and relocating to West Chester, PA, Bob takes us on a fun, behind-the-scenes journey. He'll share the fascinating origins of the network, the moment they realized they needed a bigger space, how the first hosts were chosen, and what makes legendary talents like Bobbi Ray Carter stand out. Tune in for stories, laughs, and all the juicy details you won’t want to miss!

In part two of our exclusive interview with Aaron Kessler—dubbed "the future of the TV shopping industry"—he opens up to Shawn about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him into the dynamic force he is today, so watch out QVC and HSN. But that's not all! Food lovers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, you’ll definitely want to tune in—Aaron's sharing some insider secrets that will have you hungry for more!