Fascination Street

Cindy Mich
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Cindy Mich. Cindy is an award-winning journalist, as well as a media personality, film maker, and the founder of the Art Is Alive Film Festival. In this episode, we chat about how she became a journalist and eventually a film maker and film festival founder. From growing up in Milwaukee, to becoming involved with television and film, Cindy's road has been fascinating to say the least. A few years ago, Cindy lost Michael. He was her best friend, her partner, her inspiration, and her lover. We spend a good bit of this episode getting to know Michael, and how impactful he was in her life. Cindy shares fun stories, and anecdotes about Michael, including how he inspired her to make everything from short films to TV series, to magazines, and more. We dive into her Art Is Alive magazine, her Art Is Alive Film Festival, and so much more. Cindy tells me about how she became a judge for the American Film Institute and spends some time talking about some upcoming projects that include medical misdiagnosis, (Hurt By healthcare), Saving Fancy Face, and Sonny & Trixie. This episode covers feelings of grief, loss, love, and healing. Be sure to follow Cindy Mich everywhere and keep your eyes and ears out for her upcoming projects.

Ryan Campbell
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ryan Campbell. In this episode, Ryan and I chat about how he met lifelong friend & fellow rapper Sam Lachow. Ryan explains how he grew up in 'The Game', and learned a trade from his dad.... sort of. Then we talk about how Ryan got into music; specifically rap music. He has been a featured artist on several albums from a multitude of different artists over the years. Ryan shares some experiences from growing up in and around Seattle, and how he got into the legal cannabis dispensary business. Sam Lachow & Ryan Campbell recently released a new album called Octopus. This marks Ryan's debut album, where he is not only a features artist. We discuss when this album was written, how long it took to get made, and why it took that long. We talk a little bit about Sam's most recent album The Left-Handed Bandit, which came out only a few months prior and heavily features Ryan. Both records were written at the same time and recorded fairly close together as well. Ryan's main business is a small chain of highly successful cannabis dispensaries in the Seattle area called The Bakeree. If you are in the area and partake; drop in and let them know you heard Ryan on Fascination Street Podcast!  Be sure to check out SamLachow.com to get Octopus, and all the associated merch!

Alex "AX" Foster
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Alex Foster. AX Foster is a former Senior Assistant State's Attorney for the state of Maryland. He practiced as a prosecutor in that office for twenty years before starting his own firm and becoming a defense attorney. After 15 or so years in that role; AX decided the time was right to write his first legal thriller novel called 'Gavel to Gavel'. In this episode, we chat about his previous career as an actor for 7 years; where he had tons of roles on several different daytime soap operas, and why he decided to switch gears and become a lawyer. Then we get into some of his State's Attorney days. We talk about his prosecuting criminal law where the cases ranged from drugs, gangs, animal cruelty, and even murder. Of course I find out why he decided to change sides and become a defense lawyer. We talk about the differences in the field, as well as some of the hurdles to keeping a law practice going. Finally, AX tells me why he decided to write his first novel; and why Covid was the right time. We discuss the basic premise of the book, and how many books he thinks will be in The Seneca County Courthouse Series. Book 1 of the series (Gavel to Gavel) came out a couple of years ago, and book 2 (Double Blind) is out NOW. If you like John Grisham or James Patterson novels, than you are sure to love The Seneca County Courthouse Series of legal crime thrillers. Follow AX on social media, and check out his website AXFoster.com. Make sure you grab both books in the sale bundle on Amazon.

Will Wesley
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know country singer / songwriter Will Wesley. In this episode, we chat about his growing up in the Baton Rouge area, and what got him into music. Naturally we discuss the best Cajun food in his local area, and he tells me a couple of cool restaurants to eat at. Next, we move into how he gained his country & blues street cred, by competing in battle of the bands style pickin' contests. Will explains to me why he decided to cover the timeless gospel song 'Go Tell it on The Mountain'. and what makes his different than the rest. Then we talk about his new single '12 O'clock In Texas'. We spend most of the episode talking about the reasons he wrote this song, and the tragic loss of his brother. The conversation turns to sobriety, and addiction. I ask Will about some of the places he has played, and some of the places he will play on the current tour. Luckenbach! Finally, we discuss his recent experiences at The Josie Awards and working with some folk & bluegrass icons on a couple of musical collaborations. Make sure you check out 'Both Sides Of The Tracks', 'A New Kind of Blues', and 'Leah'. Do NOT miss him on tour in 2025! Check out WillWesleyMusic.com for tour dates and venues.

Happy New Year Streetwalkers! I put together a small trailer for the show to help steer your favorite people to the show. I know how hard it can be to get your friends to listen to your favorite podcast, so this is a short episode that explains what the show is, and highlights a few of my favorite clips. Pass it on, and thanks for being so awesome! Happy New Year! -Steve

Beyond B3
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know anonymous U.K. street artist Beyond B3. In this episode, we chat about why he decided to become a street artist, and where the pseudonym comes from. We discuss some of his influences like: Stic, Space Invader, and Banksy. Along the way, I find out that I may very well be the last person to find out that Stic and Banksy are no longer anonymous! This London area based graffiti artist has very intense messaging behind his artwork. B3 explains to me the meanings behind some of his pieces. From Everyday Robots & technology, to Attack Robots & War, to Pigeons with knives & Knife Crime; B3 clarifies it all. We talk about why he feels the need to address some of these subjects, and what he hopes to gain from doing so, While we are talking about his inspirations, I tell a story about the time I saw a Banksy in person. This leads to him explaining to me that both Stic & Banksy are known people! They are no longer anonymous! Anyway, make sure you check out Beyond B3 on Instagram so you can see some of his work. Unless you are located in the London area, in which case... SEND ME PICS! Beyond B3's work focuses on: Technology, War, Child Soldiers, Crime, Knife Crime, Hypnosis, and more!

Katie Herzog
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Katie Herzog. Katie is a well-known and respected journalist who has written for publications including: The Stranger, The Atlantic, Reason, Medium, and more. She is also a co-host of the very popular podcast Blocked and Reported; with her friend and fellow journalist Jesse Singal. In this episode, Katie and I chat about where and how she grew up, and what informed her journalistic endeavors. I do grill Katie about some of the crazy stories from her past that I found. We touch briefly on her time working for NPR, and she enlightens me about The Internet Archive, and The Way Back Machine. Then we get into her podcast. Again, it's called Blocked and Reported and she tells me about why she started it, and why she is glad she didn't start it sooner. Finally, we dive into her new book. It doesn't have a name quite yet but should be released around October of 2025. This book chronicles her journey of drinking herself sober. You read that right. That's a very fascinating concept, and she tells me all about how she came to find this path, and why she felt the need to share her experience in the form of her very first book. Make sure you check out her podcast, it is a lot of fun, and be sure to stay tuned for her book around October of 2025.

Aaron Perrino
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Aaron Perrino. Aaron is the singer / songwriter most known for being the front man of The Sheila Divine. He is also part of the bands Dear Leader, and Aaron and The Lord. In this episode, we chat about how he got into music, and how winning a Sharper Image gift card on the radio, led to his band being signed by a record label. We talk about the tough road of being a touring artist, and some of the pitfalls that he didn't see coming. Since Aaron is an amazing songwriter, I pick his brain a bit on that, and then we talk about The Sheila Divine's more well known songs. Aaron spills the behind-the-scenes beans on touring with Morrissey and discusses why The Sheila Divine is so popular in Belgium. He shares the experience of having one of their songs used in a Cadillac commercial. Then we talk about his other bands Dear Leader as well as Aaron and The Lord. He lets me play my favorite Sheila Divine song, and then we talk about their new album I Am the Darkness. We Are the Light. I wouldn't be me if I didn't also ask him if I could plat a song from the new record! He graciously agrees to let me play Lilydale. Look for The Sheila Divine on Bandcamp and follow their upcoming tour dates on Instagram. Special thanks to John Graziano for making this interview happen. Thanks Graz!

Courtney Gains
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as l get to know actor & musician Courtney Gains in this episode, we chat about his growing up in some rough parts of Los Angeles, and why he decided to become an actor. We also talk about why he eventually moved to Savanah and embedded himself into the local music scene there. Naturally, l ask him about several of his films, including Back to the Future, Can't Buy Me Love, Colors, The Burbs, Queen Bees, and most notably, Children of the Corn. Courtney shares fun anecdotes and the reason for his longevity in show business. Then we discuss his music. Courtney has been a musician for just about as long as he has been an actor. He has released several albums and is part of a new project that came out December 6th. Marshes to Mountains is a compilation album with more than 100 songs. 100% of the proceeds from this album got to support those affected by the recent hurricane that impacted areas from Savanah to Asheville. The album can be found on Bandcamp or Fakefangs.com. Speaking of music, Courtney tells wonderful stories about working with Matt Sorum & Slash on one of Courtney's songs, plus he lets me play one! Finally, we talk about the new projects that he has coming out, including Cowboy Christmas, The Barn 3, and Infernal. Follow Courtney on social media, and be sure to check out his music everywhere you listen.

Ollee Owens
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Ollee Owens. Ollee is a Canadian born and raised Country / Folk / Blues Southern Rock singer songwriter. In this episode, we chat about when she was first called upon by the music gods to be a performer. We discuss her writing and learning to play instruments at a very early age, and then why she decided to take a break from music for fifteen years. Ollee tells me what she was doing during that long hiatus, and what made her jump back into her passion. We talk a little about her debut record "Cannot Be Unheard' and how the energy of that release drove her to write and record her second album. Her sophomore album is titled 'Nowhere To Hide', and was released earlier this year. We break down some of the tracks from this record and she even let's me play my favorite track from it. We do a little bit of a deep dive on this particular song, and she tells me who the inspiration for it is. We do touch on the importance of her daughters seeing their mother lead by example in putting her passion on hold for a very good reason; but then going back to it when the time was right. This album was recorded in Nashville with some iconic Muscle Shoals musicians, and a legendary producer. Follow Ollee on Instagram, and check out her website for upcoming tour dates and new release info.