It is a privilege to welcome filmmakers Dave Rosenberg and Susan Gornell to the Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  

Dave and Susan are the filmmakers behind Bridging the Gap. The documentary shows Dave (a Los Angeles liberal Democrat) and Susan (an Iowa Conservative Republican) set off on a trek across the country with the intention of bridging the gap between the two parties. At a time when families, friends, and colleagues across the country are being torn apart based on political persuasion and ideology, Dave Rosenberg and Susan Gorrell see this crisis as an opportunity to come together and recognize that we’re more alike than we are different. We also explore the role of social media and the general media in exacerbating the divide between Democrats and Republicans. In addition, Dave and Susan explore their friendship despite their differing political opinions, and how that can serve as an example for other Americans struggling with partisan antipathy.   Throughout the documentary, Dave and Susan traveled across the United States of America with a film crew. From June 23 to July 15, the production team went to Los Angeles, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Denver, Kansas City, Nashville, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.  

Dave Rosenberg and Susan Gorrell spread their message across various media outlets across the country. They appeared on The Jeff Kennedy Show, Making Sound with Jann Klose, and Straight Talk Live with Dr. Marissa (the “Asian Oprah”).  

On this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Dave Rosenberg and Susan Gorrell shared the Bridging the Gap film’s origin story, the obstacles that the film crew overcame during the production process, and the interview subjects that stood out to them.

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America’s Got Talent (AGT)’s twentieth anniversary season’s live shows are underway!

Already, Mama Duke, Steve Ray Ladson, and Micah Palace have punched their tickets to the finale thanks to the live Golden Buzzers!On Tuesday, 11 acts competed for three spots in the AGT: Season 20 semifinals.

Also, Howie Mandel awarded the fourth live Golden Buzzer to Team Recycled!

Next week, the Semifinals begin! The judges will have a final live Golden Buzzer to give away, and for it to be used, all of them MUST BE UNANIMOUS!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

It is a thrill to welcome Ben “The Bane” Davis as a guest on this special The Challenge edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast!  

Ben is an extreme sports broadcaster who provides play-by-play for UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, and Misfits Boxing.  Recently, he made his Reality TV debut on The Challenge 41: Vets vs. New Threats.  Ben began his Challenge journey by joining his fellow New Threats, such as Ayoleka “Leka” Sodade, Cedric Hodges, Dee Valladares, Gabe Wai, Sydney Segal, and Yeremi Hykel, and legendary veterans such as Aneesa Ferreira, Cara Maria Sorbello, CT Tamburello, Derrick Kosinski, Olivia Kaiser, and Turabi “Turbo” Camkiran by climbing a Chilean mountain to get to the house.  

For the first few episodes of the season, the New Threats partnered up with veterans, but after each elimination, they had to change partners. He played “Mud Ball Madness” with four-time finalist Nany Gonzalez, “Side by Side” by Challenge All-Stars finalist Nia Moore, and “Water Tower” with two-time champion Cara Maria Sorbello.  However, Ben’s most significant moment in the game was when he teamed up with The Challenge USA finalist and iconic Survivor alum Michaela Bradshaw on the “Amazed” daily challenge, and THEY WON! Under their watch, new threat Gabe Wai sent home show icon and seven-time champion Jonathan Potassium…I mean Johnny Bananas.    

Sadly, Ben’s luck took a turn for the worse when he teamed up with Olivia. The partnership seemed promising on paper, but when they faced the “Dirtballer” daily challenge, they finished near the back of the pack. With her UK alliance, Olivia plotted to sacrifice Ben and become the Hangnail to save her ally, Derek Chavez, who was up for elimination. After two intense vote-offs, host TJ Lavin flipped a coin, and Ben was sent into the Arena, where Chavez eliminated him in a Hall Brawl inspired by the film HIM.   

On this special edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Ben “The Bane” Davis spoke about being cast on the long-running MTV reality competition, winning with Michaela, Olivia’s betrayal, speaking with Leka on his Do Not Resuscitate Podcast with Riley Osborne, and previewing his first Challenge Mania Live appearance.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

 Author’s Note: Because Brandon Bronaugh and I discussed serious topics related to mental health on the podcast, if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please visit the Mental Health Hotline website or call 9-8-8.  

It is a privilege to welcome Brandon Bronaugh to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

For the last 10 years, Brandon has been known as a fixer for people buried alive by extreme hoarding. He is one of the resident experts on the hit A&E and Netflix streaming show, Hoarders. Both on camera and off, Brandon and his team of more than 200 experts are called in to help when families and loved ones are at the end of their rope because of the extreme hoarder in their lives. He is the first person in America to create a company that tackles hoarding holistically, bringing in mental health experts, clean-up crews, realtors, construction, location placement experts, and healthcare companies to tackle the issue from all angles. He doesn’t just help hoarders. He rescues families.

In addition to rescuing hoarders on TV, Brandon Bronaugh has helped rescue more than 8,000 hoarders across the U.S., bringing peace, comfort, and support to countless others. He and his team of experts handle everything from extreme hoarding, home neglect, and disrepair to trauma and mental health challenges, physical health issues, displaced individuals and families, and elder transitions, managing basic and complex cleanouts, full property acquisitions, relocations, and counseling.

On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Brandon Bronaugh spoke about starting his company, Life Cycle Transitions, how he joined the A&E and Netflix series, and his most memorable moments on Hoarders.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

America’s Got Talent (AGT)’s twentieth anniversary season’s live shows are underway! Already, Mama Duke and Steve Ray Ladson have punched their tickets to the finale thanks to the live Golden Buzzers!  

On Tuesday, 11 acts competed for three spots in the AGT: Season 20 semifinals. Also, Simon Cowell awarded Micah Palace with the third live Golden Buzzer.  

More AGT: Season 20 semifinals will be revealed, and show legends, including Lindsay Stirling and The Clairvoyants, will provide the entertainment on Wednesday’s results show.  I will also catch up with my friends at AGT Time Pod to discuss the results.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

It is a privilege to welcome back singer Micah Christian to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  

 Micah is the singer of the Billboard charting classical-crossover quartet, Sons of Serendip. In 2014, the group made its nationwide debut on the long-running NBC talent competition, America’s Got Talent (AGT). Their emotionally resonant and ethereal interpretations of pop music, arranged with a unique blend of vocals, harp, piano, and cello performances, won over the nation and judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, and former judges Howard Stern and Heidi Klum.    

 After placing fourth in Season Nine, the group released four successful albums (Sons of Serendip, Christmas: Beyond the Lights, Life + Love, and Mosaic) and lifted audiences both nationally and internationally. Micah and Sons of Serendip collaborated with Cynthia Erivo, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, and the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. The group also performed at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards and closed out the Denver, Colorado, stop at Oprah Winfrey’s 2020 Vision Tour.  In 2022, the quartet was invited to represent the United States in Dubai at EXPO 2022.  

On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Micah Christian previewed  Sons of Serendip’s latest tour, why the band did not compete on America’s Got Talent spin-offs, AGT All-Stars, and AGT: Fantasy League.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

The America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 20 live shows are underway!  

Each week, a new set of quarterfinalists battle it out for America’s votes. At stake are three spots in the Season 20 semifinals! However, one act will advance to the 20th anniversary season’s live finale thanks to the Golden Buzzer! 

This week, XXXXX awarded YYYY a spot to join Steve Ray Ladson (Sofia Vergara’s pick) in the finale!  Which acts rose to the occasion? Who advanced to the semifinals?

 Listen to the latest edition of Jake’s AGT Take to find out!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

I am delighted to welcome back singer-songwriter Laura Bryna to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  

The Nashville-based country rock artist continues her rise as one of the most exciting voices in today’s music scene.  Known for her powerhouse vocals, larger-than-life presence, and raw, emotional storytelling, Laura blends bold country roots with pop and rock influences to create music that feels both timeless and fresh.  This past June, she dropped “Blue Jean Crazy” during the CMA Fest Week in Nashville, where she brought the house down with performances at both the Fan Fair X Spotlight Stage and the Opera Plaza.  

Earlier in 2025, Laura Bryna released the genre-bending Cambo-produced “Painkiller,” “RISE,” an empowering classic-country collaboration, and genre-defying artist Common Tribe. On August 22, she dropped a remix of “Painkiller” that was produced by global DJ + producer Sam Feldt, which positioned her at the forefront of the rising Country-EDM crossover moment.  

She also continued to deliver superb live performances. Laura performed at LA Pride in Los Angeles and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of 30,000 fans at a sold-out MLS game in Columbus, Ohio. She also made appearances on NBC’s Today in Nashville and ABC’s Good Morning Nashville, which recognized her as an Artist to Watch.  

Laura also commits to giving back to her community. She performed for troops overseas and actively supports organizations like Homes For Our Troops, Musicians on Call, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a cause close to her heart.  

On this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar, Laura Bryna caught us up on what she has been up to, shared the stories behind her most streamed songs on Spotify including “The Night We Met,” her cover of Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” and spoke about “RISE,” a collaboration with Common Tribe.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

America’s Got Talent (AGT)’s twentieth anniversary season is going live!

44 acts will compete for the country’s votes to win the long-running NBC talent show’s top prize of $1 million! Throughout the quarterfinals, the judges (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B) will have the chance to advance one act to the live show through the Golden Buzzer! This week, Sofia Vergara awarded the Golden Buzzer to Steve Ray Ladson!  Which acts advanced to the Season 20 semifinals? 

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar will give our take on the performers (by letter grades) and reveal which acts were delivered or robbed!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

It is a pleasure to welcome award-winning writer Tim Cummings to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

 Tim is the author of the multiple-award-winning coming-of-age novel, Alice the Cat, published by Fitzroy Books. It was chosen as an American Book Awards 'Best Book' Finalist for 2023, received a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards, and is a Finalist in both the 2024 National Indies Excellence Awards for Teen Fiction and the Independent Author Network's Book of the Year Awards. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BFA from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts.

Since 1984, he has appeared in over 200 projects across theatre, film, television, voice-over, and new media. Recent publications of short fiction, essays, and poetry include F(r)iction, Scare Street, Lunch Ticket, MeowMeow PowPow, From Whispers to Roars, Drunk Monkeys, Hare's Paw, Lit Angels, and Critical Read/RAFT, for which he won the ‘Origins’ contest for his essay, “You Have Changed Me Forever.” He teaches writing for UCLA Extension Writers' Program, The Townies Inc. in Ojai, runs private workshops, and coaches authors. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner of 19 years and their dog. 

Tim grew up with a severely epileptic brother. His name was Matthew. They shared a room growing up. The seizure scenes in The Lightning People Play between Kirby and Baxter are drawn from real life. Matthew succumbed to epilepsy in the summer of 1997 when he died of complications caused by a grand-mal seizure. He was 26. With this story, Tim manifested a different destiny for Matthew–and for his heart. 

On this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Tim Cummings shared his origin story and how both Alice the Cat and The Lightning People Play teach essential life lessons to its readers.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.