In this  conversation, David Bryan speaks with Steve & Rick Simone-Friedland about their recent play, 'Kind Stranger,' which is adapted from Tennessee Williams' memoir. They discuss their creative process, the challenges of performing a one-person show, and the importance of queer narratives in theater. The duo reflects on their personal and professional relationship, the audience's reception of their work, and their plans for future productions.

Kind Stranger depicts the poignant journey of Tennessee Williams as the legendary playwright recounts his life, art, and love affairs. Witness his wit and unflinching honesty as he writes his last chapter, revealing how his plays were his life and his life was his plays. Adapted directly from his memoir and using only his words, Kind Stranger could be the last original Tennessee Williams play.

Steve and Rick Simone-Friedland, a married couple, went into the project wanting to use the words and humor of one of the greatest American Playwrights as the foundation of this play.

Fresh from a successful but all too brief opening in New York, Rick (actor) and Steve (director/writer) are currently actively  working toward bringiing 'Kind Stranger' to audiences in other cities.

Steven Simone-Friedland (Adaptation & Direction) is an independent, freelance filmmaker residing in Los Angeles, California. He has directed, written, produced and edited a number of short film and television projects including [sic], Togetherness, and Sunday Cup of Coffee which was awarded the CineEast’s. Golden Eagle Award, the Herman Kass Fellowship in Filmmaking, the Rita Morrison Best Director’s Award, and the AMPAS Award in Motion Picture Production. As an editor, Steven edited the feature documentary, The Yes Men Are Revolting and Donner Pass, and the television pilots, Group & Techno 3. When not pursuing film & tv projects, Steven serves as series editor on such Bravo shows as Real Housewives of Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Orange County and Dubai, Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck, Family Karma, MTV’s Siesta Key and HBO’s Queen of Versailles Reigns Again. Steven’s Los Angeles theater directing credits include critically acclaimed productions of Ourselves Alone, Oleanna, Betrayal, Scenes of an American Life, and Imagining Rachel, which received its World Premiere at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Steven is a graduate from Northwestern University’s theater department and received his MFA in filmmaking at UCLA.

Rick Simone_Friedland - Concept & Performance

Emmy Award© winner, Rick Simone-Friedland, is known to television audiences for his work on, Married People, Just the Ten of Us, A Year in the Life, Life Goes On, KC Undercover, and as Joe Pistone in the Discovery Series Mob Scene. Theatre audiences may know Rick from roles in George C. Wolfe’s production of The Me Nobody Knows, Ken Page’s production of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, or as Bruno in The Theatre West production of Moose On The Loose. Rick recently completed filming roles in the films How Do You Fall Out of Love With Country Music, Boystown, and Some Sorta’ Queerar

https://www.kindstrangerplay.com/

In this engaging conversation, Graham Stephan shares his journey from a non-traditional high school experience to becoming a successful entrepreneur in real estate and YouTube. He discusses his early life, the challenges he faced in education, and his decision to forgo college in favor of pursuing his interests. Graham elaborates on his transition from real estate sales to investing, the growth of his YouTube channel, and the evolution of his podcast. He also reflects on finding balance in life, the importance of peace of mind, and his thoughts on future trends in energy and technology.

Graham Stephan is a successful real estate investor and financial educator, best known for his popular YouTube channel where he shares personal finance and real estate advice. Raised in Santa Monica, California, he got his real estate license at 18 and achieved significant success in the luxury real estate market before pivoting to focus full-time on his YouTube channel. His content, which often includes strategies for saving, investing, and building wealth, has made him a prominent figure in personal finance.  

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGrahamStephanShow
https://www.youtube.com/@TheIcedCoffeeHour

Captain Kidd has captivated imaginations for over 300 years and inspired many stories about pirates, but was he really a criminal? Just how many ships did he plunder, how many men did he force to walk the plank, and how many throats did he slit? Or is the truth more inconvenient, that he was a buccaneer’s worst nightmare, a revered pirate hunter turned fall guy for scheming politicians? 

In “Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal” (2025) bestselling author Samuel Marquis delves into the legendary life of his own ninth-great-grandfather, Captain William Kidd (1654–1701), casting new light on one of history's most infamous figures.

In this engaging conversation, David Bryan speaks with  Samuel Marquis, a hydrogeologist and author, about his latest book on Captain William Kidd, a notorious figure often mischaracterized as a pirate. Marquis discusses his journey in writing the biography, the complexities of Kidd's life as a privateer, and the blurred lines between piracy and privateering during the 17th century. The conversation delves into Kidd's expeditions, the role of the East India Company, and the mutiny that transformed him into a wanted man, as well as  the life and legacy of Captain Kidd, exploring his relationships, particularly with his wife Sarah Kidd, the myths surrounding buried treasure, and the complexities of his character as a pirate.


samuelmarquisbooks.com. 
Facebook: @samuelmarquisbooks  
Twitter (X): @Sammarquisbooks 
Instagram: @sammarquisbooks

In this enlightening conversation, David Bryan and Shang Saavedra explore the intricate relationship between faith, money, and personal finance. Shong shares her journey with Save My Cents, emphasizing the importance of mental health in financial well-being. They discuss the financial independence movement, the role of generosity, and how personal beliefs shape financial decisions. Shang also highlights the significance of teaching financial values to children and navigating consumerism in a materialistic society. The conversation culminates in reflections on family dynamics and the impact of financial choices on personal happiness.

https://savemycents.com/

This conversation explores the life and legacy of Charles C. Diggs Jr., a significant yet often overlooked figure in the civil rights movement and American politics. Brown University Professor, Marion Orr, discusses his new biography of Diggs, detailing his contributions to the Congressional Black Caucus, his legislative achievements, and the circumstances surrounding his fall from grace. The discussion also touches on Diggs' personal life, his family's involvement, and the broader implications of his work for African American history and political science.

Marion Orr is the inaugural Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Political Science and Urban Studies at Brown University. He previously was a member of the political science faculty at Duke University.

Professor Orr earned his B.A. degree in political science from Savannah State College, M.A. in political science from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University), and a Ph.D. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

From 2008-2014, Professor Orr served as Director of the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions at Brown University.  He is a former chair of Brown’s Department of Political Science and a former director of Brown’s Urban Studies Program.

Professor Orr’s expertise is in the area of American politics.  He specializes in urban politics, race and ethnic politics, and African-American politics.  He is the author and editor of eight books. His book, House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs, Jr. (University of North Carolina Press, 2025), is the first biography of Michigan’s first Black member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Among Professor Orr’s other books, Black Social Capital: The Politics of School Reform in Baltimore (University Press of Kansas), won the Policy Studies Organization’s Aaron Wildavsky Award and his co-authored, The Color of School Reform: Race, Politics and the Challenge of Urban Education (Princeton University Press), was named the best book by the American Political Science Association’s (APSA) Urban Politics Section. He is the co-editor (with Domingo Morel) of Latino Mayors: Political Change in the Postindustrial City.  He is also the author of numerous scholarly articles, essays, and reviews.

Professor Orr is the recipient of the Biographers International Organization Francis “Frank” Rollin Fellowship. He has also held a research fellowship at the Brookings Institution, a Presidential Fellowship from the University of California, Berkeley, and a fellowship from the Ford Foundation.  In 2019, Orr was awarded APSA’s Hanes Walton, Jr. Career Award,  awarded to “a political scientist whose lifetime of distinguished scholarship has made significant contributions to our understanding of racial and ethnic politics and illuminates the conditions under which diversity and intergroup tolerance thrive in democratic societies.”

Professor Orr served as President of the APSA’s Organized Section on Urban Politics and an elected member and chair of the Governing Board of the Urban Affairs Association, an international organization devoted to the study of urban issues. Dr. Orr has also served as a member of the executive councils of the American Political Science Association and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. He has served, or is currently serving, on the editorial boards of the National Political Science Review, Journal of Urban Affairs, Journal of Race, Ethnicity and the City, and Urban Affairs Review.

In this engaging conversation, David Bryan speaks with Frances Moore Lappé, a prominent researcher and author known for her influential book 'Diet for a Small Planet.' They discuss the core message of the book, which challenges the notion of food scarcity and emphasizes the connection between food production, power, and democracy. 

Lappé shares insights on the evolution of dietary understanding, the environmental impacts of food production, and the importance of hope and courage in driving social change. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by disinformation in today's society and the need for informed discussions to foster a healthier democracy.

Frances Moore Lappé is the author or co-author of 20 books, many focusing on themes of “living democracy”—suggesting not only a government accountable to citizens but a way of living aligned with the deep human need for connection, meaning, and power. She has received 20 honorary doctorates from distinguished institutions across the country, mostly recently Indiana University in 2021.

Her first book, the 1971 Diet for a Small Planet, has sold over three million copies. Its 50th- anniversary edition was released in 2021 with features in The New York Times, Boston Globe, and other major outlets. In 2019, The New York Times Magazine interview with Frances began: "Frances Moore Lappé changed how we eat. She wants to do the same for our democracy."

Her most recent publication, Crisis of Trust: How Can Democracies Protect Against Dangerous Lies (2023), dives into the roots of the American disinformation crisis and shares lessons from democracies leading the fight to combat harmful lies and promote truth.

Key Takeaways 

Hunger is not about scarcity; it's about power.
Food production is linked to democracy and power dynamics.
The dominant narrative around food scarcity is misleading.
Plant-based diets can lead to better health and longevity.
The meat industry has significant environmental impacts.
Hope requires courage and action from individuals.
Democracy is about the people's voice and informed discussions.
Disinformation hinders democratic processes and understanding.
Finding a supportive community is essential for taking risks.

https://www.smallplanet.org/
linkedin.com/in/frances-moore-lappe
https://www.dietforasmallplanet.org/

David Bryan speaks with author Steve Schlam about his debut novel, 'The Harvesting of Haystacks Cain.' They explore the inspiration behind the book, which originated from a dream, and delve into the character development of the protagonist, Herschel "Haystacks" Kane. Schlam discusses the themes of identity, empathy, and the writing process, as well as his literary influences, including Faulkner and Joyce. The conversation also touches on the importance of empathy in storytelling and Schlam's reflections on his future writing projects.

"Steve Schlam first gained entry to the City of Words through the doors of the public library in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and spent a good part of his childhood; and has maintained his residency ever since while living in cities and towns across the United States and in Mexico. An actor as well as an author, he has performed on stages in all the places he has called home, and earned a Master's Degree in Creative Writing and English under the tutelage of Joseph Heller, renowned author of "Catch-22." He lives currently in Southern California in a pretty little Craftsman bungalow with orange and lemon trees growing in the backyard, in the company of his wife, Liora. His debut novel, "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane," was released in March 2024."

In this conversation, David Bryan interviews Sharri Foos, a marriage and family therapist and founder of the Narrative Method.  Shari shares insights on the importance of creative writing in healing and personal growth, emphasizing the non-therapeutic, supportive nature of her workshops. The discussion also covers the core concepts of the Narrative Method.
      Shari  and David explore the importance of creating a safe space for individuals to connect and share their stories. They discuss the role of humor and creativity in facilitating meaningful conversations, the challenges of navigating vulnerability, and the significance of self-compassion.
      Shari emphasizes the need for understanding and empathy in human interactions, while also addressing the promotion and accessibility of the Narrative Method, which aims to foster connection and healing through storytelling.

Shari Foos is the founder of The Narrative Method, an award-winning 501C3 that addresses the crisis of loneliness by connecting people through their stories and creative expression. Now in its 12th year, TNM offers numerous online groups open to all as well as programs for underserved communities including veterans, youth in crises and mature adults.

Ms. Foos is a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California and New York. She earned an MS in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University (2012) and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles (1997), where she founded BRIDGE in 1999, a free humanities program for low-income adults, and where she is also an adjunct professor. She is the recipient of the New Directions for Veterans Community Hero Award (2015) and The Antioch University Los Angeles Lifetime Achievement Award (2016). Ms. Foos serves on the board of the City Kids Foundation and has served as a judge for Gold Humanism in Medicine since 2014. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Shari was a television writer, punk-rock singer and the creator of cutting-edge salons and events.

As a sought-after expert on the subjects of relationships, loneliness and meaningful connection, Foos’ writing and commentary have appeared in a range of online and print publications and podcasts, including Real Simple, Huffington Post, Women’s Health, KBLA, Fatherly, Thrive Global, Shondaland, The LA Weekly, Sparks & Honey Culture Briefings, Body Green, Sondership and Bustle.

https://www.thenarrativemethod.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thenarrativ...

In this conversation, host David Bryan speaks with Dr. Tracie Canada about her recent book, which explores the intersection of race, gender, and college football. They discuss the unique experiences of Black college football players, the implications of a Black feminist perspective, and the importance of community and care among players. The conversation highlights the exploitation faced by student-athletes and the broader societal issues impacting their lives. Canada discusses the intricate dynamics of college athletics, focusing on the bonds formed among players, the challenges they face in balancing education and sports, and the systemic issues within the NCAA. She emphasizes the importance of brotherhood among athletes, the complexities of their educational experiences, and potential solutions to improve their circumstances, including unionization and cost-sharing. The conversation also critiques the term 'student-athlete' and advocates for a more honest representation of their roles within the collegiate sports system. 

Big-time college football promises prestige, drama, media attention, and money. Yet most athletes in this unpaid, amateur system encounter a different reality, facing dangerous injuries, few pro-career opportunities, a free but devalued college education, and future financial instability. In one of the first ethnographies about Black college football players, anthropologist Tracie Canada reveals the ways young athletes strategically resist the exploitative systems that structure their everyday lives.

Tackling the Everyday shows how college football particularly harms the young Black men who are overrepresented on gridirons across the country. Although coaches and universities constantly invoke the misleading "football family" narrative, this book describes how a brotherhood among Black players operates alongside their caring mothers, who support them on and off the field. With a Black feminist approach—one that highlights often-overlooked voices—Canada exposes how race, gender, kinship, and care shape the lives of the young athletes who shoulder America's favorite game

Dr. Tracie Canada is a socio-cultural anthropologist whose ethnographic research uses sport to theorize race, kinship and care, gender, and the performing body. Her work focuses on the lived experiences of Black football players.
 
Canada is the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology & Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University. I'm also the founder and director of the Health, Ethnography, and Race through Sports (HEARTS) Lab.

Her research has been supported by various agencies, including the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, the National Science Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.

In addition to her academic writing, her work has been featured in public venues and outlets like The Museum of Modern Art, TIME, The Guardian, and Scientific American.

In this conversation, Jamaal Lewis shares his remarkable journey from a military upbringing to becoming a college football star, then briefly playing in the NFL, and his move to modeling and acting.  He discusses the challenges he faced, including struggles with accountability, partying, and addiction. Jamaal reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to find purpose and the importance of family in shaping his life.

His story is one of resilience, growth, and the message of staying blessed amidst adversity. In this conversation, Jamaal Lewis shares his transformative journey from a life of partying and addiction to finding purpose through responsibility and faith. He discusses how he transitioned into modeling and acting, the creation of his clothing line 'Stay Blessed', and the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry while staying true to his values. Jamaal emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and the power of resilience in the face of rejection and adversity.

https://www.stayblessedclothing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/officialjam...
https://www.instagram.com/stayblessed...