LifeMinute In Studio With Podcast

Master musician and Grammy-wining songwriter John Oates has just released his latest masterpiece, simply titled Oates. The Rock Hall of Famer says he's taken on a fresh wave of inspiration to plug his '58 Stratocaster back in and deliver a vibrant mix of R&B and pop, reminiscent of the sounds he made famous in the '70s and '80s. He sat down with LifeMinute editor-in-chief Joann Butler, ironically the day after the long legal dispute with former musical partner Daryl Hall came to an end, to talk about his new music, the creative journey behind it, and what fans can expect next. This is a LifeMinute with the legendary, John Oates.

As great of a diverse stage and screen actor Jeremy Piven is, his stand-up comedy is equally as powerful. With impeccable timing and hysterical accounts of life, his shows are not to be missed. We were fortunate to have him stop by the LifeMinute Studios this week, while in town for his New York stop at Sony Hall this coming Sunday, October 19th to tell us all about it and more. From growing up on stage beginning at the age of 8 (his mom and dad ran the acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop in Chicago, and his sister is Director, Shira Piven) to his dozens of memorable roles on Broadway, TV, and the big screen. He played the Dean you loved to hate in Old School, the best friend you adored in Family Man, the gay Versace salesman in Rush Hour 2, and of course, his Emmy and Golden Globe winning role as arrogant, Hollywood agent Ari Gold in Entourage (who is based off a real-life person by the way.) The list goes on and on. Most recently he can be seen in the new flick everyone’s buzzing about Primitive War about dinosaurs that attack U.S. troops during Vietnam. He believes his greatest work, however, is the soon-to-be released, Arthur Miller short, that he obtained the rights to called; The Performance, in which he plays a Jewish tap dancer asked to perform for Hitler in Nazi Germany. Yes, he really learned to tap. The 15-year passion project is directed by his sister, Shira, and many agree, it has Oscar buzz all over it. In the meantime, you can see the real Piven and his hilarious gift of storytelling on stage right now at the following locations. For tickets visit www.jeremy-piven.com.

Bear Grylls is probably the most recognizable face of adventure on the planet. He's a former 21 SAS soldier, who went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers of Mt. Everest, despite breaking his back in a free-fall accident only months earlier. Grylls has hosted more extreme adventure TV shows across more global networks than anyone in history, from the legendary Discovery Channel show Man Vs Wild, his latest show Celebrity Bear Hunt on Netflix, and the hit show Running Wild with Bear Grylls, now in its ninth season. His guests have included: Will Ferrell, Bradley Cooper, Roger Federer, Julia Roberts, President Obama, Prime Minister Modi of India, and many others. The husband and father of three is also a double BAFTA, Emmy winner, and a No. 1 bestselling author who has sold more than 20 million books. He's also the Honorary Colonel to the British Royal Marine Commandos, and the first ever Chief Ambassador to 55 million young Scouts worldwide. Grylls sat down with editor-in-chief Joann Butler at the LifeMinute studios recently to tell us all about his latest book The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account, that documents the life of Jesus and more. This is a LifeMinute with Bear Grylls.

At 93 years young and with an incredible career that’s spanned more than 65 years, the amazing Hal Linden is showing no signs of slowing down. We were fortunate to have him stop by the LifeMinute Studios after giving us a little tour of the city he grew up in and the one that catapulted him to fame, playing the iconic New York City police precinct captain Barney Miller. An entertainer all his life, he started his career as a successful big band leader, singer, and clarinet player until the acting bug took over. He made his Broadway debut at age 26, followed by dozens more Broadway productions, a Tony Award, multiple Emmys and Golden Globe nominations for Barney Miller, and several feature films, his most recent, starring alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eddie Murphy in 2023’s You People. This is a LifeMinute with the legendary Hal Linden.

Jeremy Sisto has done it all—playing a broad array of characters on stage and screen with iconic roles in Clueless, Six Feet Under, Law & Order, and Jesus. His latest role is playing Special Agent Jubal Valentine on the CBS drama, FBI, currently in its 7th season. Sisto sat down with us in the studio recently to tell us all about it and more. This is a LifeMinute with Jeremy Sisto.

One of America’s most beloved actors and activists, George Takei recently released a new full-color graphic memoir, titled, It Rhymes with Takei. The beautifully illustrated autobiography reveals for the first time ever, the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything. The 88-year-old living legend stopped by our LifeMinute studios to tell us all about it. This is a LifeMinute with George Takei.

Renowned ballerina Melanie Hamrick has seen it all in the ballet world and lived to tell about it, well, a variation of it. After years with the American Ballet Theatre and an injury that forced her to take six months off to recover, she decided to draw upon her intimate experience in the turbulent ballet world to create gripping tales that will leave you on the edge of your seat with every page turn. Her latest book, the sequel to her highly acclaimed debut First Position, is The Unraveling. It’s a racy and gripping exploration of London’s professional ballet world filled with addictive relationships, restless drama, sexual tension, and utter chaos happening behind the scenes. The mom of son Deveraux, she shares with partner Mick Jagger, who encouraged her, along with her mom, to start writing, sat down with LifeMinute editor-in-chief Joann Butler at our LifeMinute Studios recently to tell us all about it and more. This is a LifeMinute with author and ballerina Melanie Hamrick.

You probably know him from his iconic roles in classics Rocky IV, Masters of the Universe, and his recent blockbuster, Expend4bles. However, actor, filmmaker, and martial artist, Dolph Lundgren didn’t set up to be in showbusiness. The Swedish-born star was actually a chemical engineer but after a chance encounter with Andy Warhol, he broke into the modeling world and later landed his first role in the James Bond film, A View to a Kill. His latest endeavor, launching his own liquor brand, Hard Cut Vodka. He stopped by our LifeMinute studios for some good cocktails and conversation. This is a LifeMinute with Dolph Lundgren.

At just 28 years old, Italian singer Matteo Bocelli is already carving out a remarkable place on the global music stage. He's performed in some of the world’s most iconic venues, often alongside his father, the legendary Andrea Bocelli. While that legacy may have opened doors, Matteo’s artistry is very much his own—defined by a powerful voice and emotional honesty that resonates with a new generation of listeners. Now, Matteo steps further into the spotlight with his new album, Falling in Love. The project is a deeply personal exploration of emotion, connection, and vulnerability, showcasing an artist who isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Blending classical influences with contemporary pop, the album reflects both his musical roots and his evolving identity as a solo artist. Matteo sat down with LifeMinute editor-in-chief Joann Butler recently to talk life, music, and more. This is a LifeMinute with Matteo Bocelli.

Melrose Place heartthrob Rob Estes teamed up with renowned acting coach and Creative Center for the Arts co-founder Michelle Danner in a new dramedy, The Italians. This marks Danner’s eighth film as a director, and it’s packed with everything we love—family, food, and those unforgettable first impressions. We caught up with the longtime friends and colleagues—who also play husband and wife in the film—to chat all about the project and what exciting adventures they’re cooking up next. This is a LifeMinute with Rob Estes and Michelle Danner.