In Their Shoes with Reed Rudy

Doug Wick was Oscar nominated for his first film, Working Girl and won the Academy Award for best film for Gladiator. He also produced Memoirs of a Geisha, Stuart Little, Spy Game, Wolf, Divergent Trilogy, The Great Gatsby, Jarhead and Lawless amongst others. He candidly breaks down how a film gets made along with some wonderful stories woven in throughout. He's worked alongside Mike Nichols, Ridley Scott, Paul Verhoeven, Baz Lurman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe and a crafty mouse named Stuart. 

Matt 'DJ Mattnifique' Robinson has been deep in the music scene for decades. He began playing music in high school becoming a local legendary Malibu beach band, The Barking Spiders. He established himself as a staple in the DJ world running his own joint, Funky Reggae in Los Angeles in the 80's. He went on to high profile gigs as the A&R guy at Capitol and Island Records. He was the music supervisor of Quincy Jones' Vibe TV, hiring all the big name talent in hip-hop & soul during that stint in the 90's. As the son of the original Gordon on Sesame Street, Matt has been around high profile music legends for many years. At 10 years old, he met Michael Jackson backstage prior to one of the Jacksons' shows. Stevie Wonder came to check out Matt spinning at his club, Funky Reggae, and telling a nervous Matt  to 'just play what you play'. He's got such a rich take on music and you won't find a more original and sweet man. Great having him in the studio. 

For 22 years, Leigh Curran, was the founder and artistic director of the Virginia Avenue Project, which was a theater program for underprivileged kids. She brought the program to L.A. which was initially started at the 52nd St. Project in  NYC,  by Willy Reale. Leigh was intent on giving kids opportunities they just weren't getting in the public school system. The project took kids through a writing program and then produced their short plays with professional actors and directors, lighting and sound and performed in some of L.A.'s premium theaters. With no funds,  resources, or space, her story is one that thrived on passion and desire. She's refreshingly candid, with delightful stories and with some very fun music from  shows over the years. It's almost a how-to begin and sustain a non-profit with grit, determination and joy. 

Adrian Maher infiltrated the most exclusive Hollywood parties and award shows over 20 years. He discusses his method of entrance into these high-end events in hilarious detail. He sipped cocktails with Arnold the Governator, walked arm in arm into Arianna Huffington's own party and flashed his disco moves at the Playboy Mansion - all with no one the wiser. Listening to Adrian tell his stories it's hard not be enchanted by rollicking charm.

David and Laura explain the Wedew machine - which brought them the million dollar grand prize for the XPRIZE contest. It produces water from the atmosphere and turns biomass into energy. And they also discuss their plans to lessen their footprint and live a life of sustainability.

Dr. Kulkarni is the medical director of the Division of HIV and STD Programs at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Since Covid - 19 all of her advocacy and research has been focused on the Corona Virus. She's a wealth of information which she offers, without any arrogance. She just lays out the facts of where we are with research and what lies ahead. 

Get to know the man behind Homeboy Industries. His vision of boundless compassion and radical kinship with those on the margins. His warmth and infectious humor is palpable in this interview. 

My brothers have put on shows as far back in 1976, played their own music and been avid music fans throughout. They've got some wonderful stories along the way. So they both sat down in studio with me and we recounted, drank a little, laughed a lot.