Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar

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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! America’s Got Talent (AGT) is back for its 20th anniversary season!

Veteran judge Mel B returned to the main show for the first time in seven years, joining Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara at the Judges’ Desk. NBC’s long-running talent competition celebrated its 20th anniversary on television with a birthday party that welcomed back several notable alumni and gave out some interesting information from the show’s storied history. 

 On the tenth edition of Jake’s AGT Take, I talk about the birthday party and which alumni should have received an invitation. Also, for the first time this season, I reveal which Season 20 acts received the Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar seal of approval!

A)       Season 20 Acts to Watch:
 1)        The Golden Buzzers:  

• Jourdan Blue, Singer (Howie Mandel’s 1st Golden Buzzer, WK 1) – 6.3M YT Views
•  LightWire (Simon Cowell’s 1st Golden Buzzer, WK 1 ) -  2M Views
• Unreal Crew (Howie Mandel’s 2nd Golden Buzzer, WK 2) – 1.4M Views
• Jessica Sanchez (Sofia Vergara’s 2nd GB, WK 3) – 9M YouTube Views
• Messoudi Bros (Mel B’s 2nd GB, WK 3) – 1.6M YouTube Views
• The Boykinz (Terry’s 2nd GB, WK 4) – 3.8M YT Views  

2)        The Other Acts:

•  B Unique Crew (Dance) – WK 1
• Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras (Band) – WK 1
• Jonglissimo (Juggling group) – WK 2
• Leo High School Choir (Choir) – WK 2
• Mama Duke (Singer) – WK 2
• Anna Saranina (Crossbow Shooter) – WK 3
• Girish and the Chronicles (Band)  - WK 3
•  Mastermind  (Magician) – WK 3
• Crash Adams (Duo) – WK 4          
• Gendai (Laser Act) – WK 4    
• Team Recycled (Dance Group) – WK 4       
• TT Boys (Acrobat Duo) – WK 4

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It is a pleasure to welcome singer-songwriter Nadia Younes to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

 Nadia is an independent recording artist, songwriter, and dancer from Saratoga, CA. Before stepping into pop and R&B, Nadia studied classical music and performed in Operas and musical theatre while also training in ballet and competitive dance. In 2019, she released her debut single, “You Can’t Love Me at All.” This ultimately led her to Los Angeles in 2020, where she collaborated with young artists as a songwriter, mentor, choreographer, and backup dancer. Nadia is featured on rapper Conejo’s song “H.O.P.E,” earning a GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Performance Song. She can also be heard on the theme song for season three of YouTube’s Austin High series, upcoming independent film soundtracks, Warner Chappell’s “Cover Nation” pages, and on Kevin Bacon’s forthcoming film, Connescence.  

In June 2024, Nadia Younes opened for American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer Jon B. at the first-ever Independent Artists Music Awards (IAM Awards). In September 2024, she released her first-ever EP, Anybody but You, in collaboration with 3013 Music. With many more to come, Nadia released her first single of 2025, “One Day,” in partnership with The Kickback Music.

Nadia draws inspiration from musical legends such as Ariana Grande, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, and the late Whitney Houston. Her music creatively blends the nostalgic sound of early 2000s R&B and Soul with contemporary pop elements to craft a distinctive, catchy, and danceable style that appeals to both older and younger audiences alike.  

On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Nadia Younes spoke about her musical influences. She shared the stories behind some of her most streamed Spotify songs, including “Tombstone” & “Cruise.”

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! America’s Got Talent (AGT) is back for its 20th anniversary season!

Veteran judge Mel B returned to the main show for the first time in seven years, joining Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara at the Judges’ Desk.

The auditions ended on Tuesday and for the first time, the judges revealed which acts joined the Golden Buzzer recipients who will competing for America's votes!

On the ninth episode of Jake's AGT Take, find out why B Unique Crew, the Osso Brothers, Alex Blanchard, and Julia Hladkowicz stood out and why an opera singer started a massive prank war between Simon and Howie!  Plus, the show revealed its Top 44! 

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

I am so excited to welcome actor and writer Mitch Silpa to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast as part of our milestone 380th episode.  

 The Los Angeles native has a rich history in the entertainment industry. At 14, he won over $20,000 on a kids’ week episode of Card Sharks, and later appeared on a College Week of Scrabble, Shop 'Til You Drop, and Hollywood Showdown. Mitch began his professional career as a member of the legendary improv and sketch comedy troupe the Groundlings.  

He starred in various films such as The Master of Disguise, Along Came Polly, The Boss, The Happytime Murders, and Loners. But moviegoers remember him the best as the Flight Attendant in the 2011 classic comedy Bridesmaids. In 2002, he starred on NBC’s The Rerun Show in various roles.

Throughout his career, he guest-starred on 2 Broke Girls, Brothers & Sisters, Curb Your Enthusiasm, iCarly, Joey, Malcolm in the Middle, and the Will & Grace revival. He also had recurring roles on Gilmore Girls (Terrance), Desperate Housewives (Jerry), Grey’s Anatomy (Tim Ruggles), Nobodies (Ethan), and All Rise (DDA Clayton Bennett).  

 On the 380th episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Mitch Silpa spoke about the lessons that he learned from the sets of Desperate Housewives, Gilmore Girls, and Grey’s Anatomy, along with his time working on Bridesmaids. He also spoke about his experience being a guest writer on Saturday Night Live and participating in podcasts such as The Neighborhood Listen and The Pack Podcast.

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

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! America’s Got Talent (AGT) is back for its 20th anniversary season!

Veteran judge Mel B returned to the main show for the first time in seven years, joining Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara at the Judges’ Desk.

In the eighth episode of Jake’s AGT Take, Jacob gives his hot take on the long-running NBC talent competition’s Top 20 Golden Buzzers of All-Time, which show legends should have made the list, and why Howie Mandel’s second Golden Buzzer act could win the show.

Plus, I reveal why Unreal Crew, Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison, Silas Luke Jones, Dewayne Jackson, Chris Turner, and the Jet Boys were my standouts and preview what is to come in the final week of the auditions and how the show will celebrate its birthday!

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