Actress Robert Shafer | Gen-ED Podcast | Ep 14 (full episode)

Actor Bob Vance, er I mean, Robert Shafer! I’m kidding but at the same time, you’ll be tempted to see him as Bob Vance first because he’s made a household name of himself portraying that character from “The Office.” Shafer was part of one of the most popular shows in U.S. television history, thanks to its boost streaming after being on the air. And spoiler coming … he makes a great cameo in episode one of “The Paper,” the new spinoff from “The Office” creator Greg Daniels. But Robert has had a broad career and was even married to actress Susan Dey! He’s had appearances on programs like “Criminal Minds,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Boston Legal,” and “The West Wing.” He wrote, produced and starred in “Dick Dickster” and is the cult-like lead character in “Psycho Cop” and the sequel, with a third maybe coming? Enjoy the interview, he’s great!

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Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-ed/id1790726998

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3e8CJphLe6mDfUqqEO83fg?si=nqByO41kSLCiqSHmrpqrHQ

BOB’S LINKS

IMDB

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769793/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/robertrayshafer/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bobbyrayshafer

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/bobbyrayshafer

Robert Smith has been working in entertainment since he was 40 and decided – this is everything to me! He’s talented, funny, hard-working, creative, and his newest film “SPREAD: Pigs to Slaughter” just was unveiled with his very first red-carpet premiere in North Hollywood Oct. 30th! He’s combing various backgrounds in art and music and using them in his films in innovative ways too. “Vengeance Turns” and “Vengeance Turns: Volume 2” brought out the western in him, but with intriguing storylines and some powerful female characters. While he’s acted in “Thor God of Thunder,” “Ringworms,” “Garden of Eden,” and more – he’s often recognized for his role as the stern boss in the cigarettes video for the late rapper Juice WRLD. Get to know him and watch his films! 

Robert’s Links

Instagram

SPREAD Instagram

Facebook

SPREAD Facebook

YouTube

Valeria Sweet is a truly talented, modern-day Hollywood workaholic in the best sense! When she’s not writing she’s acting, when she’s not acting, she’s directing or producing. Most of the time, she’s doing several of those roles on every project. She’s not just working though, she’s stellar. In addition to her skills, she’s absolutely stunning in a way that has “leading lady” written all over her, you’ll see! She starred in the sci-fi short “Lend a FRND” that debuted in late June, one of her recent acting / writing / directing projects “Once in a Blue Moon” is in post-production and looks incredible, and she’s acted in several films recently from “Fifty1 fifty” to “Charge!” and was at the Cannes Film Festival promoting “The Remedy.” As if all that weren’t enough, she’s also a precision driver in movies like “The Accountant 2” and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Listen to learn more or watch the full interview on YouTube!

Valeria’s Links

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Website

Diane was a babe in the ‘80s, literally! She was princess / babe in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” but years before that she burst on the scene in some of the decade’s other most iconic films. She was breaking hearts in the hardest way in “The Last American Virgin” in 1982, a movie that taught most teen boys – life isn’t easy and neither is love! The same year she was in “Amityville II: The Possession” and in 1985 she portrayed likely her most memorable character, French foreign exchange student Monique opposite John Cusack’s character. It was a tremendous “feel-good movie” as she’ll discuss, and this year it turns 40!! We discuss all of her hits, everything she has in the hopper, and a lot more. Enjoy and make sure to buy her books on her website below, she’ll sign them for you!

Be excellent to each other, and enjoy today's language lessons!

Diane’s Links

Instagram

Facebook

Website (for signed books and photos)

Cameo

Syd & Olivia’s Links (Diane’s daughter Olivia & Syd her comedy partner)

Instagram

TikTok

Podcast (Spotify)

Podcast (Apple)

Ivan is a Swedish actor who’s been acting for 30 years since he graduated from the Stockholm University of the Arts. He writes, directs and acts, and if you know him odds are it’s from “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” seasons three and four on Prime. He portrayed crime lord Levan Zubkov, doing several scenes with actors John Krasinski, Michael Kelly, and Michael Peña. The third season went so well he was brought back for season four! We have a great conversation about Swedish filmmaking and the country’s version of the Academy Awards, we chat about what role government plays in the arts there, and a lot more. He shares great insight on the auditioning process – for example: how he got “Jack Ryan” and why he didn’t get “The DaVinci Code.” Follow him on FB and his IG is coming! #ivanmathiaspetersson

Ivan’s Links

Facebook

With Josh Fadem, his talent, range, humor, energy, process – everything about his career is top shelf. His memorable roles include working for the late David Lynch as the character Phil in “Twin Peaks,” doing voice-over on “American Dad!” and other animated programs, and perhaps the most memorable – 14 episodes of his Camera Guy character on “Better Call Saul.” His first lead role was shot last year and hopefully will be released in 2025, “Every Heavy Thing.” He also launched the “Here Come the Details” podcast and he’s doing “screen shows,” a term he coined for doing podcasts with a video component built-in as part of it. Bottom line – he’s awesome, his podcast is great, and he’s talented in everything!

Josh’s Links

Instagram

YouTube - Josh

YouTube – Podcast “Here Come the Details”

Podcast on Spotify

Podcast Website

In a world where YouTube is filled with top car crashes and black box recordings from airplane disasters, former Lieutenant Colonel and Retired Air Force Fighter Pilot Hoover is a breath of fresh air providing educated, researched recaps of aviation mishaps on his channel, Pilot Debrief. Going not by his name but instead by his call sign, Hoover started doing real estate videos a few years ago then focused on aviation because it’s his background and passion. The result: 770,000 followers on YouTube alone! He flew F-15E Strike Eagles as part of a North Carolina combat squadron and later F/A-18 Hornets for the Marine Corps in an exchange program. He is now a commercial pilot and a wonderful content creator … make sure to listen to his channel!

PS Hoover, thanks for your service!  🇺🇸

Hoover’s Social Links

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Brande Roderick is not only tremendously successful, but she’s literally the definition of it. Every project she’s ever been involved with has achieved at the highest levels. From being a Playboy cover girl to Playmate of the Year (and dating Hugh Hefner) to having an outstanding acting career that includes “Baywatch,” “The Apprentice,” and dozens of film and television appearances. She’s also a producer, a writer, and now a director with her new film “Wineville,” which allowed her to showcase her love of horror. Go watch it, it’s streaming everywhere!

Brande’s Links

"Wineville" Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Gina’s the founding member and lead singer of Burning Red, the nation’s best Taylor Swift tribute band. She’s a legend in the Chicago music scene from early days in her band Rockit Girl to later joining Louise Post as a member of alt rock’s Veruca Salt! They both also joined a short-lived female supergroup called Bastard with Courtney Love then Gina found her sweet spot as a major Swiftie. The band’s social media is tremendous – currently Gina’s recording and posting one song per day (!!) from Taylor’s album: The Tortured Poets Department. Burning Red will be playing Indianapolis in early April 2025 with shows in Chicago and elsewhere throughout the year. Follow and like them – and definitely go see them!!

(music “Down Bad” cover courtesy of Burning Red’s YouTube)

Burning Red Social Links

Website

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Stand-Up Comedian Willie Macc got his start on BET’s reality program “College Hill” and that created the path for a successful entertainment career. Willie has been in dozens of national TV commercials for everything from Hidden Valley Ranch to Verizon to McDonald’s and many more! In 2025 he’ll have his own Dry Bar special and he’s doing “America’s Got Talent” too. (episode recorded and produced by Jackson DeMask; edited by me!)

Willie's Links

Website

YouTube

TikTok

Instagram

(Note: we recorded this in 2024 when shooting videos in a pub called ⁠Duke’s Northwoods⁠ in suburban Chicago co-owned by Jarrett Payton, son of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton!)