B Smith's Second Sticks gets to catch up with an old friend, Ronnie Ali, who has made a successful transition out of the non-scripted television world into his Softball Catchers Academy. Ronnie and I touch on his early years working at Location Sound in North Hollywood and his transition into audio and audio supervising, starting with The Apprentice, early in his career. We recount his decision to opt for a different plan for his life around the time of of his liver transplant in 2021. Ronnie saw (and heard) the signs of the business changing before then (audio supervisors hear EVERYTHING), and opted out. Our industry right now feels a little like when the auto industry shifted manufacturing overseas, and Ronnie uses that to draw a metaphor which leaves us wondering: when will the workers who built the industry matter again? It's a poignant and thoughtful time on the pod!

B Smith's Second Sticks catches up with a rare commodity- an production person with a actual production job! Mario Panagiotopoulos (hard "G") joins us on the pod to talk about his origins that ultimately brought him to World of Wonder, and the iconic Ru Paul's Drag Race. We reminisce about Reality Bites Back, a show that parodied reality shows that featured some of the (now) heavier hitters in comedy and deserved a better fate. We also peruse the myriad of complications that have lead us to this current production state in time, and ponder whether one of the solutions for the malaise may be vertical. And we answer the ultimate question: what do you do with two Mario P's? It's a rollicking good time on the pod!

B Smith's Second Sticks is joined by a long-time friend and colleague, TV's Nick Murray! The two-time Emmy winning director joins the pod today to discuss a myriad of subjects. We get deep into Nick's origin story, when as a teenager, he knew right away he wanted to be a director. We chat about his career ascent overseas, including a stint on the original Big Brother. And we of course spend some time talking about the iconic Ru Paul's Drag Race, and how Nick formed the team that he still mostly utilizes to this day. Finally we get into the current environment and ask the question, "Is there still room for Brett and Nick?" It's a good chat with a talented bloke!

Lighting Director and Emmy multi-nominee Gus Dominguez joins B Smith's Second Sticks on the pod! We travel back in time to Gus' humble beginnings, pivoting from work in a Mexican restaurant to climbing the production ladder, to yet another disciple of the Stu Segall Production Company in San Diego. Vendors are facing unique circumstances in this current market, and Gus outlines the challenges of working with ever-shrinking budgets. We talk about his artistic vision, and the need to be versatile, especially in present conditions. A must listen for anyone dealing with these dual complications.

There have been a number of people who have helped advance the cause of reality workers in the past 25 years; prominent among those people would be Mande Whitaker. B Smith's Second Sticks caught up with Mande for a lengthy talk. We dipped into her origin story and long career in non-scripted, where a flyer intended for origami became her entry into The Real World Seattle. We recounted her desire to serve, both as a outspoken advocate for operator rates and safety, and her activism which has lead to her present position on the National Executive Board of the International Cinematographers Guild. We also discussed the current state of production, and how a collective effort is needed by all guilds if we are to resuscitate a non-scripted genre that once again is in danger of being left behind.

B Smith's Second Sticks chops it up with Jon Dockery, an assistant cameraman and old co-worker from the Hell's Kitchen days. We check in to see what's up with Doc, reminisce about the old days of HK (long seasons and two-day episodes), and try to figure out what's next. Doc gives us an honest appraisal of where he sees himself now, as well as for the immediate future. He is ready to work, in case anyone is looking for a charismatic, hard working AC. Thanks, Doc!

B Smith's Second Sticks gets a shot of adrenaline with our guest today, Jeff "Bone" Hamby! The surfer-for-life joins us to talk about his illustrious history in the business, from starting as a fight coordinator for films and tv to working as a Grip to his eventual transition behind the camera. Jeff speaks candidly and energetically with us about relationships on sets, his feelings about the union, and his transition to work in law enforcement. We wrap up with an emotional conversation regarding some personal news. To that end, Jeff asked me to remind everyone to live with the goal of spreading love, and "If the Bone can do it, you can too."

We had a great chat with audio person Christina Chin on B Smith's Second Sticks! Christina and I got into the current production environment, talked about her beginnings in the music biz, and her long engagement with both the Survivor and the Bachelor franchises. Christina is choosing hope as way out of the current malaise; we have a frank and earnest conversation about that. And we take a pause mid-show for a maybe-job: Hope!

Correction: in the introduction I mistakingly refer to Christina's first foray into film as her "first job in reality" when in fact it was a low-budget film- whoops! Sorry about that, but still...$25 a day, wrap your head around that.

Ru Paul's Drag Race 1st AD/Associate Director Tori Himes joins the pod! We get into her origin story and mercurial rise to stage managing the Emmy-award winning show, talk about overcoming stigmas and other people's prejudices, and winning over the iconic Ru Paul. We also chat the challenges of the present work environment, and her resolve to "hold on to the bitter end", should it come to that (editor's note: it won't, fingers crossed).

Show note: there are spots in the episode where the audio is tricky to hear. Prepare to ride the volume dial, or if you are watching the YouTube version, read lips. Thanks for your patience.

Rich Kim, one of the preeminent Directors in the non-scripted genre, joins us today on B Smith's Second Sticks. We are in the midst of a production shake-up in the reality world, to say the least, and Rich is at the forefront of these mercurial times. We talk about where all the production on the west coast disappeared to, and whether it might come back again. We also cover ground regarding our shared past, some of Rich's own created content, and I finally get around to asking where my Girls' Scout cookies are (editor note: all in good fun!)