WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin sits down with fellow talk show host and former professional wrestler Neil Haley to discuss his remarkable transition from the squared circle to the entertainment world with his USA Network show "Straight Up Steve Austin." The Texas Rattlesnake opens up about the surprising connections between the two hosts—from wrestling together in Omaha, Nebraska with the Nation of Domination to their mutual friend Duke "The Dumpster" Droese, and now both hosting successful talk shows. Stone Cold delivers a masterclass on audience connection, explaining that being inside a 20x20 ring teaches you one invaluable skill: reading and responding to crowds, listening to their reactions, and proceeding accordingly. He candidly admits that his years in wrestling created a perception that he was "always pissed off, mad or drunk every day," but through podcasting and his new show, he's been able to break down those doors and reveal his love of laughter, communication, and discovering what makes people tick.

Austin discusses his six-year podcasting journey and how taking a break helped him realize he needed to listen even more than he already was, leading to some of his favorite recent conversations with legends like Hulk Hogan and Mark Henry. He emphasizes that while the podcast is "very minute in comparison with the WWE Universe," it allows him to maintain crucial communication with the fan base he built over decades, something that gets lost when wrestlers leave WWE's global platform. His new USA Network show takes a unique approach—rather than traditional sit-down interviews, Stone Cold and his guests bond over outdoor activities and cooking while having authentic back-and-forth conversations. He stresses that he's not trying to put himself over or solve the world's problems; he's simply an entertainer who succeeds if he can make someone laugh or forget their troubles for thirty minutes. The episode perfectly captures Austin's philosophy of continuous growth, genuine connection, and his enthusiasm for being handed back the WWE audience he loves while simultaneously building something new.

In this entertaining segment of The Neil Haley Show, comedy legend and television host Howie Mandel joins Neil to discuss the exciting return of Deal or No Deal 2.0 on CNBC, airing Wednesday nights at 9 PM. Howie shares fascinating behind-the-scenes insights about what makes this revival even better than the original, including the addition of a female banker, new negotiation opportunities for contestants, and how social media now allows him to express all the thoughts he couldn't say on air during filming. He reflects on the unique nature of the show—unlike other game shows, there's no skill involved, no trivia, nothing physical—it's purely about people and their life-changing decisions. Howie explains how he's captivated watching contestants make choices that could lead to a down payment on a house, wiping out debt, or putting children through school, though as host he remains risk-averse and often amazed at how far people will push their luck when given the chance of a lifetime.

The conversation reveals Howie's impressive work ethic and evolution as an entertainer, as he discusses performing 200 live comedy dates annually while simultaneously working on America's Got Talent, AGT Champions, and his role as executive producer of Deal or No Deal (humorously claiming he's "in charge of craft service"). Neil, a former teacher who created a classroom version called "Math or No Math" a decade ago, connects with Howie about the show's universal appeal across all ages and how the production quality and storytelling have improved significantly, with more focus on contestants' personal narratives. Howie emphasizes the importance of never stopping your craft and continuous improvement, joking that Neil should have scheduled the interview for tomorrow because he'll be even better then, perfectly capturing his philosophy of constant growth and his genuine passion for witnessing people's lives being enriched right before his eyes.

Hollywood icon Robert Wagner discusses his heartfelt tribute book "I Loved Her in the Movies: Memories of Hollywood's Legendary Actresses," honoring the remarkable women who shaped his six-decade career. Wagner reflects on working with legends like Audrey Hepburn and Bette Davis, emphasizing the tremendous challenges women faced in the industry—balancing demanding schedules with hair, makeup, and wardrobe requirements while maintaining the energy, vivacity, and care expected of them both on set and in their personal lives. He argues that actresses gave up far more than their male counterparts to pursue their craft, juggling careers with marriages, families, and the constant pressure to be perfect, making their accomplishments all the more impressive and worthy of celebration.

Wagner shares his philosophy of approaching each co-star with complete openness rather than preconceived notions, simply listening, watching, and staying present in the moment to build authentic on-screen chemistry. He discusses his successful run on "Heart to Heart" with Stefanie Powers and explains how leading ladies throughout his career watched out for him during the vulnerable exposure of acting, creating supportive environments where both performers could do their best work. Written with co-author Scott Eiman, the book serves as both a personal memoir and a tribute to the individuality, dedication, and tremendous influence these women had on cinema and culture. Wagner offers advice to young actors about remaining honest and open to naturally move scenes forward, while reflecting on how impossible it is to choose a favorite leading lady—each brought something unique and irreplaceable to his life and career.

Action legend Dolph Lundgren shares the remarkable story of how a Swedish chemical engineering student and European karate champion became one of cinema's most iconic villains. Lundgren reveals how working security at a Grace Jones concert in Australia led to an unexpected relationship with the flamboyant singer, which transported him into Andy Warhol's New York scene where he met Michael Jackson, David Bowie, and other luminaries. He describes the surreal experience of being asked "what are you famous for?" by a white-haired stranger who turned out to be Warhol himself, and how this whirlwind introduction to entertainment ultimately led him away from academia and toward Hollywood.

Lundgren details the intense audition process for Rocky IV, including being initially rejected as "too tall" before his acting coach helped get photos to Sylvester Stallone's team. He explains his strategic decision to play Ivan Drago as stoic and internal rather than loud and aggressive, studying Soviet military cadets' proud posture with chins held high to create the character's intimidating presence. Looking ahead, Lundgren discusses returning as an older Drago in Creed 2 alongside Michael B. Jordan and his on-screen son, a six-foot-four Romanian boxer. He also shares fitness wisdom from his book "Train Like an Action Hero: Be Fit Forever," explaining his sustainable approach of strict dieting six days a week with weekend cheat meals, the importance of well-rounded training including cardio and flexibility work, and how he's maintained peak condition through an astounding 70-film career spanning four decades.

SNL veteran Vanessa Bayer takes listeners behind the curtain of Saturday Night Live, revealing her impressive near-record of making it through six full seasons without breaking character on camera. Bayer shares the story of how Fred Armisen finally broke her streak during his hosting appearance at the end of her sixth season, and discusses memorable sketches including the divorce lawyers dance scene with Paul Rudd that became an instant classic, the Santa Baby video with Ryan Gosling, and falling out of a plane with Amy Schumer. She reveals how her iconic "best friend" Weekend Update characters with Armisen originated from off-camera improvisation during rehearsal days, demonstrating the organic creative process that produces SNL's most beloved recurring bits.

Beyond SNL nostalgia, Bayer discusses her meaningful partnership with M&M's for Red Nose Day, describing the transformative experience of coaching Chicago teenagers in comedy at Second City—the same legendary venue where she got her start. She shares the powerful moment of watching these young performers walk off stage on a natural high after telling their stories and getting laughs, using comedy as an outlet to support children in poverty through the Red Nose Day initiative. Bayer also previews her Netflix movie "Ibiza" about three women on a European adventure, reflects on finally getting sleep after leaving SNL's grueling schedule, and discusses navigating the next chapter of her career while doing college tours and exploring new television opportunities.

Comedian and actor Patton Oswalt joins the Neil Haley Show to discuss his role as the hapless principal in NBC's AP Bio, a character he describes as "an authority figure with zero authority." Drawing inspiration from Tim Meadows' masterful portrayal of the principal in Mean Girls, Oswalt explores the unique challenges of playing administrators who struggle to maintain control while genuinely caring about creating great learning environments for their students. He shares fond memories of an unconventional shop teacher from his Virginia high school who mixed engine repair lessons with profound life philosophy, and discusses how AP Bio writer Mike O'Brien brings his Toledo upbringing and SNL weirdness to this fresh take on the school sitcom format.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Oswalt discusses his late wife Michelle McNamara's groundbreaking true crime book "I'll Be Gone in the Dark," which investigated California's most notorious uncaught serial killer and helped reopen the cold case with the FBI. Oswalt reflects on the power of teaching as a profession, challenging the dismissive phrase "those who can't, teach" by explaining how many educators are deeply obsessed with their subjects and gain fresh insights by introducing material to younger minds. He shares his philosophy that great literature professors teaching James Joyce aren't just passing down knowledge—they're constantly downloading new perspectives from students, making teaching an endlessly fascinating exploration rather than repetitive drudgery.

Actress Natasha Perez shares the intensive preparation behind her portrayal of Yolanda Saldivar in Netflix's "Selena: The Series," the controversial figure who served as Selena's fan club president, personal assistant, and business manager before becoming responsible for the beloved Tejano singer's tragic death. Perez, a former radio host for Y107 in Los Angeles and correspondent for Sony Entertainment Television in Latin America (where she interviewed celebrities including Pavarotti before his death), brought a unique methodical approach to the role despite not being deeply familiar with Selena's music growing up in Venezuela. Rather than watching previous portrayals of Saldivar, including the 1997 film, Perez deliberately chose to "paint with my own colors," wanting to create an interpretation based on studying the actual woman seen in news footage rather than being influenced by others' artistic choices. Her goal was to help tell Selena's story faithfully while embodying Saldivar as authentically as possible, studying her voice, mannerisms, and physicality to bring the character to life.

The pandemic lockdown unexpectedly became a gift for Perez's preparation, providing months to deepen her character work beyond television's typically rushed production schedule. She employed both Strasberg's method acting approach (inside-out character development through biography, history, and psychology) and the British comedy approach (outside-in physicality), working with her clowning teacher—a former Cirque du Soleil casting director who had time available due to Cirque's pandemic closure—to meticulously analyze Saldivar's movements and physical presence. She trained with a former Supreme and Marvelettes singer to learn how to lower her vocal register and maintain it for eight months without damaging her voice, gaining weight for the role and later losing 34 pounds after filming wrapped. Perez even prepared the character with a Southern accent reflecting Saldivar's Corpus Christi origins—struggling particularly with phrases like "y'all" combined with Hispanic inflections—though producers ultimately chose a more neutral accent to homogenize the cast. Her dedicated, transformative performance demonstrates the craft required to portray one of music history's most tragic and complex figures, balancing the responsibility of depicting a real person while serving the larger story of celebrating Selena's artistic legacy and impact on Latin music and culture.

Director Matt Patterson discusses his psychological horror-thriller "Apartment 413" (available on Amazon Prime), a film that tackles masculinity, mental health, and the dangerous territory where reality becomes questionable. The story follows Marco, an unemployed man searching for work from home while his pregnant girlfriend Dana works as a teacher—a scenario that resonates even more powerfully in the COVID era of isolation and confinement. Strange occurrences begin plaguing Marco: invasive Post-it notes appear around the apartment with cruel messages, a burner phone rings with calls casting doubt on Dana's fidelity, and reality itself starts fracturing. Patterson, who studied theater directing at Pepperdine and film directing at LA Film School before working his way up from camera assistant on 35mm commercial shoots, explains his preference for "smart horror" that's cerebral rather than gore-focused, citing John Carpenter's "The Thing" as his favorite—"a psychological thriller pretending to be a horror movie that's actually an Agatha Christie mystery."

Patterson's approach to the film balances slow-burn character development with psychological tension, believing audiences need to invest in and care about characters before the horror truly takes hold—typically around the 17-20 minute mark when breaking from the first act into the second. The casting process revealed Hollywood's unpredictable nature: while his friend Brea Grant easily joined after validating the script, finding Nicholas Sainz to play Marco proved circuitous when Patterson discovered him independently on agency websites, only to learn casting directors had already rejected his audition from 700 submissions. The film premiered at Cinequest Film Festival before the pandemic, and audience feedback from that screening led Patterson to reshoot and add the opening scene to provide an immediate hook. Beyond the thrills, Patterson uses the story to explore toxic masculinity and men's struggles asking for help with mental health, while also processing the political divisiveness of recent years and wrestling with how to love people whose perception of reality differs drastically from your own—themes that make "Apartment 413" resonate as both a relationship drama and a genuinely unsettling psychological experience that leaves audiences debating the ending long after the credits roll.

Five-time Grammy winner BJ Thomas opens up about his remarkable 50-year career that sold 70 million albums worldwide and produced some of American music's most enduring songs, including the Oscar-winning "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." Thomas shares the serendipitous path that led to that iconic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid moment: after success in Memphis with hits like "Hooked on a Feeling," his label convinced him and new bride Gloria to move to New York with the promise of connecting him with legendary songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. What followed were regular visits to Bacharach's apartment reviewing songs until the bicycle scene opportunity arose—which Thomas recorded while suffering from acute laryngitis, singing it only three to five times, yet Bacharach never mentioned his throat condition and loved the raspy sound that became instantly recognizable. The song's deeper meaning resonates with the film's themes: outlaws finding a rare moment of peace and freedom, symbolizing that while rain falls on everyone, freedom means not letting it weigh you down.

Thomas's journey began humbly in 1958 when he and friends formed The Triumphs at age 15, dreaming of maybe having a hit record while knowing they probably never would. His 1966 breakthrough with Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" led to an unexpected tour with James Brown—promoters assumed he was Black based on his R&B sound—which proved perfect since his heroes were Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, and Jackie Wilson. A pivotal moment came at 13 when Jackie Wilson's "To Be Loved" taught him music's emotional power and established his lifelong principle of only singing what he personally connected with. After struggling with drug and alcohol problems that led to semi-retirement in 1976, Thomas credits his wife Gloria—his partner of 52 years—with standing by him through the darkest times and helping him find spiritual awakening. His comeback through gospel music created history: the first four platinum gospel albums ever, earning him all five of his Grammys in that genre. Now celebrating five decades of music and over half a century of marriage, Thomas embodies resilience and authenticity, emphasizing the importance of keeping your head up even during life's toughest challenges and treating others the way you'd like to be treated.

Veteran filmmaker Joel Soisson takes listeners on a fascinating journey through four decades of Hollywood filmmaking, from his humble beginnings as a PA in the early 1980s to becoming what one website dubbed "the direct-to-video sequel king." Unlike many of his generation who experienced a "Star Wars moment" that defined their career path, Soisson drifted organically from art school into animation and eventually motion pictures, originally dreaming of becoming a cinematographer before fate intervened. His break into writing came when producer Sandy Howard mentioned wanting to do a family film about a lost dog, prompting Soisson to pitch ideas that led to his first screenplay. What followed was an unexpected career trajectory defined largely by horror films—not because he lived and breathed the genre, but because early successes made horror projects incredibly easy to greenlight while his romantic comedy pitches faced much steeper odds in an industry that quickly typecast him based on what worked commercially.

Soisson shares insider stories from some of his most iconic projects, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, which wasn't just another franchise opportunity but literally a matter of survival for Bob Shaye's fledgling New Line Cinema after Wes Craven had sold away all profit participation on the original film. The story of how Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure got made reveals Hollywood dealmaking at its most wonderfully absurd: Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis, who barely understood English and had no concept of American teenage culture, greenlit the project primarily because he'd made a definitive Napoleon epic and apparently misread "exterior, the world of San Dimas" as "the war of San Dimas." Soisson also provides a sobering perspective on his extensive work with the Weinstein brothers, describing how he spent nearly two decades literally ducking into doorways to avoid Harvey Weinstein after being fired from Mother's Boys, while defending Bob Weinstein against guilt by association and noting the brothers barely spoke during his final five years there. Now focused on reimagining classics like The Magnificent Seven and Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Soisson discusses his proudest work: "My Best Worst Adventure," a family film set in Northern Thailand centered on the dangerous sport of buffalo racing that combines all his storytelling passions into one unique project.