Media Path Podcast

It’s a not entirely merry episode of Media Path with some hard but cautionary truths about guardianships AND, a new Christmas musical that celebrates our festive diversity.

Greg Thirloway and Maurice Godin are launching a new musical called Oy To The World, that celebrates the Jewish composers who brought us so many carol classics like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Oh, Holy Night and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Then, we're speaking with investigative journalist, Diane Dimond whose new book about the dangers of guardianship is required reading in a Post-#FreeBritney world.

Oy To The World: Christmas With A Twist will premiere, December 14-23, at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre:  Greg and Maurice give us a sneak peak into their new show which takes place at a Catskills lodge where the new owner decides to put on a Christmas show. In so doing, Christmas carol backstories emerge. Did you know, for example that Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is inspired by writer Bob May being teased as a child about his “Jewish” nose? So, yes, not just Jesus, but also Rudolph was Jewish!

Diane joins us to discuss her new book, We’re Here To Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong. She shares her extensive research into the dangerously secretive and insular “legal” practices which lead to citizens losing control of their finances and their freedom. The guardianship or conservatorship systems in the U.S. are state-run,

largely unregulated and increasingly populated by financially motivated predators.

As we’ve learned from Britney, anyone who has saved some money or who is earning money is at risk. Diane offers shocking examples of the system’s dysfunction and the victims and devastated family members left in its destructive wake. Diane also offers solutions and tips for keeping yourself and your family members safe. As a generation of Boomers continues aging, it is vitally important that we address, amend and federalize guardianship law.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the new Joan Baez documentary on Prime and Apple TV, I Am Noise and a new crazy cult doc mini-series on Max, Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God.

Path Points of Interest:

Diane Dimond

We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong by Diane Dimond

Guardianship Central Resources

Diane Dimond on Facebook

Diane Dimond on Twitter

Oy! to the World: Christmas With A Twist

Use Code: FRITZ for $5 discount on any performance!

El Portal on Facebook

El Portal on Instagram

Maurice Godin on IMDB

Greg Thirloway on IMDB

Joan Baez - I Am Noise

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

Many young people raised within the restrictive discipline of a strict, Christian evangelical childhood are pulling away from that narrow and dogmatic framework as adults and finding comfort and guidance in a podcasting community of fellow travelers who are walking a similar path.  

Among these bold podcasters are two former church leaders who are now critical voices in a campaign against Christian Nationalism and for a free and fair pluralistic democracy.

Scholar, author, coach and co-host of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi joins us along with musician, author and host of Chapel Probation, Scott Okamoto.

In Brad’s new book, Preparing for War, he offers brilliant insights into our history and legacy of colonialism, racism and white supremacy and how our untreated wounds continue to fester and infect our political landscape. Bigotry and prejudice are even more insidiously dangerous when they come holding a cross, wrapped in a flag.

Brad’s podcast with Dan Miller is Straight White American Jesus in which the two university professors examine and discuss the intersection of the religious right  and politics in America.

Scott’s focus is on Evangelical colleges. He taught for 16 years at Azusa Pacific University and become increasingly disillusioned by the subpar academic standards in support of white supremacy. His book, Asian American Apostate recounts his struggle to break free of a value system that encourages White Christian cultural power and to, instead, embrace his own Japanese heritage.

Scott’s podcast, Chapel Probation features conversations with fellow evangelical college graduates with horrifying stories to share about life on the inside and their escapes from racist, sexist and unforgiving indoctrination.

We talk in-depth about the problematic curricula at Fundamentalist Christian colleges, homeschooling and private religious education. We explore the meaning of  deconstruction and decolonization as the terms apply to those departing from Christian backgrounds, the Seven Mountains mandate, the new Apostolic Reformation, the ascension of Mike Johnson, purity culture, why the right loves Trump and Putin & much more.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Holdovers and Rustin.

Path Points of Interest:

Brad Onishi

Straight White American Jesus

Straight White American Jesus on Facebook

Straight White American Jesus on Twitter

Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism - And What Comes Next by Brad Onishi

Scott Okamoto

Asian American Apostate by Scott Okamoto

Chapel Probation Podcast

Scott Okamoto on Instagram

Scott Okamoto on Twitter/X

The Holdovers

Rustin - Netflix

Mama's Boy - Dustin Lance Black Documentary

Every boomer was gutted and then rocked by the tragedy of JFK’s assassination followed by the joy of The Beatles’ arrival at the airport named in his honor. Both topics continue to resonate. Today on the show, broadcasting pioneer and JFK assassination historian John Barbour joins us to discuss his latest film, John Barbour & William Shakespeare’s Last Word On The Murder of JFK. And Breakfast With The Beatles Host Chris Carter is with us to talk about his live appearances and The Beatles’ return to the charts!

Emmy Winning writer/host/comedian/director John Barbour has been studying JFK’s assassination since he first picked up Mark Lane’s book, Rush To Judgement. John has extensively interviewed New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison, who prosecuted alleged conspirator Clay Shaw and inspired Oliver Stone’s groundbreaking film JFK. John’s richly researched assassination documentaries soon followed. His third will be screened on November 22nd, the 60th anniversary of the assassination, at the Laemmle Encino Town Center.

Breakfast With The Beatles host Chris Carter is a founding member of the 80s alternative band Dramarama, known for the iconic 1986 single, Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You). He joins us to talk Beatles. With our attention now so diversified there will never be another band as popular, inspiring and influential. Chris is celebrating 40 years of broadcasting BWTB (now available five days a week on Sirius XM and Sundays on KLOS) with live broadcast events around Los Angeles. 

Chris shares his playlist programming process and discusses the challenges of doing justice to the most well known foursome in the world and their devoted fans. You can test your own Beatles knowledge as Chris reveals fascinating facts plus his insights into the relationships between the bandmates, his thoughts on what it was like to become world famous while still so young, and why the Beatles have fans of every age from every generation. And Chris shares intriguing background on the creation of the new hit song, Now and Then. We also take a tangential trip into music docs (including Chris's Rodney Bingenheimer film, Mayor of the Sunset Strip).

In recommendations, Fritz is offering Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Mathew Desmond and Weezy is watching (after having read!) Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+.

Path Points of Interest:

John Barbour

John Barbour on Wikipedia

John Barbour’s & William Shakespeare’s Last Word on The Murder of JFK at The Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino

Breakfast with the Beatles

Chris Carter on Wikipedia

Breakfast with The Beatles on Facebook

Breakfast with The Beatles on Instagram

Mayor of the Sunset Strip

Dramarama on It's Fritz

Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Mathew Desmond

Filmmakers possess the unique ability to immerse us in the lived experiences of others and in so doing, promote kindness, compassion and empathy.  

Directors Tracy Droz Tragos and Charles Mudede join us to share their newest projects. Tracy’s film is called Plan C and it follows a network of courageous women who are working to ensure access to pregnancy terminating medications. Charles directed Thin Skin, a powerful and funny look into the life of musician/comedian Ahamefule Oluo who has never met but lives in the shadow of his Nigerian father.

Charles Mudede is a writer, cultural critic and filmmaker whose film is inspired by Oluo’s stage play which began as a segment on This American Life. It’s the story of a young, bi-racial man in search of himself while grappling with divorce, children, identity, purpose and the heartbreak of displeasing an absent father.

Tracy Droz Tragos is an accomplished and award winning documentarian whose film, Plan C documents the heroic work of the women who comprise a grassroots effort to safeguard access to the two-drug treatment known as a medial abortion. The drugs are prescribed legally through telemedicine visits, however access to information about their availability is muzzled. Tracy’s hope is that her film will raise awareness. 

We also discuss the doctors on the frontline, the supportive husbands, the social media shutdowns and messaging workarounds:… a mobile billboard, subway ads and QR code stickers in college restrooms. We then get into legal intrigues like individual state policies, Shield Laws and the Supreme Court’s squeeze between two masters… the religious right and big pharma.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Alexandra Pelosi’s The Insurrectionist Next Door on Max and Stephen Spielberg’s Life on Our Planet on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest

Tracy Droz Tragos

Plan C 

Plan C Trailer

Plan C on Facebook

Plan C on Instagram

Plan C on Twitter

The Turnaway Study

Thin Skin 

Thin Skin Screening Information

Think Skin Trailer

Thin Skin on Facebook

Charles Mudede on Wikipedia

The Wedding Crasher - This American Life

The Insurrectionist Next Door

Pelosi in The House

Life on Our Planet - Netflix 

Bruce Belland’s new book is called Icons, Idols and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America’s First Boy Band and boy, did he have adventures! Bruce founded The Four Preps while still in Hollywood High School. They became Ricky Nelson’s backup band, co-starred in Gidget and The Adventures of Ozzy & Harriet and went on to score massive hits with 26 Miles Across The Sea, Big Man, and Down By The Station. 

In his book and on this episode, Bruce’s storytelling is engaging and enlightening. He shares teen idol road stories, his Disneyland dream date with Annette Funicello (that devolved into a nauseous nightmare) his day on the set of a TV special with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and Louis Armstrong, exactly why a wholesome boy singer would include in his book a chapter titled, One Dead Junkie and a Masturbating Monkey, how the love and wisdom of his minister father and sharp witted mother fortified his remarkable journey, and the powerfully poignant night of President Kennedy’s assassination when The Preps gave voice to heartbreak at Ohio State University. 

Through it all, Bruce remains a student. He confides what he learned from Gene Kelly, Ozzy Nelson and George Burns and just how he embraces the blessing of encountering someone who knows more than you and opening yourself up to new lessons.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Killers of the Flower Moon, in theaters and Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, a doc series on Prime.

Path Points of Interest:

Bruce Belland

Icons, Idols, and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America's First Boy Band by Bruce Belland

The Edsel Show

The Four Preps on Wikipedia

Killers of the Flower Moon - In Theaters

Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe

In the pop culture pantheon there are those few and proud performers who have indelibly imprinted the landscape to the point where our digital age invites new fans to discover and embrace their iconic work. Among these are Dinah Manoff and JoBeth Williams.

Dinah breathed delightful life into Pink Lady Marty Maraschino in Grease. She has starred in Soap, Empty Nest and Neil Simon’s You Oughta Be In Pictures. JoBeth’s portrayal of Diane Freeling in Poltergeist is on repeat every Halloween and her turn in the generation-defining drama, The Big Chill is a boomer must. These two ground-breaking creators have much to share with us, including their exciting new projects.

Dinah’s brilliantly hilarious work of fiction is called The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold. We recommend you listen to the audio version, performed by a cast of gifted actors. Dinah wrote what she knows but not exactly. Jackie is a world famous, tabloid darling narrating her story from deep within a coma induced by an ill-fated, paparazzi dodging balcony leap. Dinah was simply raised by show-biz parents Lee Grant and Arnold Manoff in the star-sprinkled Malibu Colony.

Dinah shares her mom’s journey from being Dinah’s harshest critic to her biggest fan girl, and the harrowing story of her dad’s McCarthy-era blacklisting. We also learn how Dinah’s parenting of her own kids has taken a very different path.

JoBeth is currently starring, with Peter Strauss in the stage play, Love Among The Ruins. It is running through November 5th at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre. JoBeth and Peter are taking on roles portrayed by Katharine Hepburn and Sir Laurence Olivier and rising beautifully to that challenge!

She comes to us with spooky, inside-Poltergeist secrets, corset-wearing horror stories from Wyatt Earp, and tips on how to handle a nude scene with a five-year-old co-star from Kramer vs. Kramer. And, as President emeritus, JoBeth shares how we can all lend assistance to struggling actors through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

Plus, Weezy is strongly recommending Timothy Egan’s disturbing examination of the KKK in the 1920s, A Fever In The Heartland. And Fritz is very keen on Ken Burns' American Buffalo on PBS and Amazon Prime. All that plus an inspiring clip from Illinois Governor J.B. Prtizker's moving Northwestern commencement speech.

Path Points of Interest:

Dinah Manoff

The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold by Dinah Manoff on Amazon

The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold paperback book buy link

Dinah Manoff on Wikipedia

Dinah Manoff on IMDB

JoBeth Williams

Love Among The Ruins

See Love Among the Ruins at The El Portal

JoBeth Williams on Wikipedia

JoBeth Williams on IMDB

SAG-AFTRA Foundation

A Fever In The Heartland by Timothy Egan

American Buffalo - PBS/Prime

Governor Prtizker's Northwestern commencement speech

Singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan continues to grace audiences around the globe with his wit, warmth, whimsy and musical genius as he has been doing since 1970 when he stirred UK audiences with Nothing Rhymed and then captured and broke hearts around the world with Alone Again, (Naturally.) The song has been covered over 75 times, including by Nina Simone, Neil Diamond, The Pet Shop Boys and Elton John, Michael Buble and Diana Krall (A duet about being alone? OK.)

Gilbert stood out not only for his inventively catchy and wrenching songs but also for his carefully crafted personal style. Initially inspired by silent film stars and later by college lads. He would emboss outfits with a large letter G. (Gilbert U. Fine school.)

And still today, Gilbert continues to set a distinctive path with new music, duets with today’s stars and world tours. He’ll be hitting the west coast in November with exclusive dates, including L.A.’s Troubadour.

Gilbert talks with us about his influences, his musical style and philosophy, and his deep and abiding appreciation for fans who have so embraced his songs. We also get into his ground-breaking court cases which won him back his catalogue of songs from manager, Gordon Mills and took on the new world of sampling when Biz Markie “borrowed”  Alone Again (Naturally). Gilbert had said no because he does not want that song to be used comedically.

Oh, and what’s Clair doing now? Well, she is no longer in need of a babysitter and we have an update!

In recommendations, Fritz saw The Burial (2023) in theaters. Weezy has been listening to two podcasts: Grapevine and We Don't Talk About Leonard and Gilbert does not own a cell phone but thanks to his daughter’s tech support, he is enjoying the podcast, McCartney: A Life In Lyrics.

Path Points of Interest:

Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert O'Sullivan: Live in the USA Sizzle Reel

Gilbert O'Sullivan Documentary

Gilbert O'Sullivan on Wikipedia

Gilbert O'Sullivan on Twitter

Gilbert O'Sullivan on Facebook

Gilbert O'Sullivan Upcoming Tour Dates

Gilbert's New Album, Driven

The Burial

Grapevine 

We Don't Talk About Leonard

McCartney: A Life in Lyrics

Concetta Tomei's richly recognizable presence has warmed screens for 40 years. Her Italian roots, the American dreams of her parents and grandparents and her midwestern upbringing, plus four years as a seventh and eighth grade teacher prepared and sustained her as she faced show biz rigors and rejections. 

Her acting chops were masterfully honed on the New York stage where she performed off-Broadway and on, in the New York Shakespeare Festival, in Cyrano with Kevin Kline and in The Elephant Man with David Bowie.

Concetta shares her fierce heart and dynamic spirit as she regales us with story after story of her uniquely thrilling life as a character actor. She talks about her love for her co-stars: David Bowie’s kindness and intensity, Brian Dennehy’s thoughtful mentorship, Dick Van Dyke’s fun and curiosity, and Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau’s propensity to crack each other up on the set of Out To Sea while Concetta got to dance with Donald O’Connor!

Concetta goes into tender detail about her wonderful, supportive parents, who immigrated to Kenosha from Italy and who she credits with much of her success. She also pays grateful homage to her education, studying drama at what became DePaul University, and the deep lessons provided by the works of Shakespeare and her treasured opportunities to perform key roles.

Her paths of learning, and preparing led her to starring roles in China Beach and Providence and opened the gates of Star Trek fandom with an appearance as Minister Odala on Star Trek: Voyager.

We play a few rounds of IMDB Roulette with a spicy story from the set of Dynasty. (Lesson Learned: Do not incur the wrath of Joan Collins). 

Concetta is also an animal rights activist and she would love for you to look into the work of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

In recommendations, Fritz got into the Netflix docu-series Beckham, and Weezy is living for ABC's The Golden Bachelor.

Path Points of Interest:

Concetta Tomei on Wikipedia

Concetta Tomei on IMDB

Concetta Tomei on TCM

Best Friends Animal Society

Concetta Tomei on Facebook

The Golden Bachelor

Beckham - Netflix

Craig Kilborn has indelibly and stylishly stamped his unique, hosty  brand across the worlds of Sports and Late Night Comedy.

Mixing a patrician personality, with a razor sharp wit and folding in a pinch of irreverent snark, Lord Kilby has now taken up residency at manner houses in the lands of Instagram and podcasting. 

A star high school athlete, Craig excelled at basketball, knowing that his future lay in comedy. He blended his strengths as a smart aleck  sportscaster in Monterey, California where he acquired his taste for the fancy which he now celebrates on Instagram and on his podcast, The Life Gorgeous.

Craig joins us with action items for those who aspire to live their lives more gorgeously. (You may need a boat.) And despite the adversity of no adversity, he tells us how a tall, handsome, high school jock was able to acquire so sharp a wit. His SportsCenter stint forever changed the tone of sportscasting and, on a personal note, led to a surprise phone call from new fan, Bill Murray!

We discuss Craig’s background as The Daily Show's inaugural host, taking over for Tom Snyder on The Late, Late Show, and why he eventually lost his passion for the politics of it all and stepped away. 

Plus, Weezy shares highlights from the performance of Unforgettable Sunrise, a symphony written by non-verbal autistic teen, Jacob Rock.

Fritz is recommending A Haunting in Venice, now in theaters and Weezy strongly advises you to watch the documentary, Torn on Hulu.

Path Points of Interest:

The Craig Kilborn Podcast: The Life Gorgeous

Craig Kilborn on Instagram

Craig Kilborn on Facebook

Craig Kilborn on Wikipedia

Unforgettable Sunrise Highlights

A Haunting in Venice - In Theaters 

Torn on Hulu

Craig Shoemaker believes in the power of laughter and he's experienced its transformational force firsthand. The showbiz vet with decades of experience in writing, producing, acting and stand up comedy is fully invested in helping others, through humor with his organization, Laughter Heals. To this end, he speaks frankly, lives courageously and is persistently seeking the higher self that will ensure a reach towards his potential. 

Craig speaks with raw courage about his painful past, the obstacles he has faced and conquered and those that are currently vexing and challenging him. Undaunted, he understands that laughter is a force more powerful than anger and that positive energy creates a pathway towards healing the wounds of trauma, neglect and abuse.

Craig joins us to share his unique and effective blend of levity and love and how his coaching program, Winning With Humor is helping folks from all of life’s walks achieve goals and more fully align with their true selves.

We get Craig’s unfiltered take on parenting, marriage, divorce, dating and his unconventional childhood with a “fun mom” and an absent dad. An industrious young Craig found himself looking for dads in all the wrong places, writing earnest “Please Marry My Mom” sales pitches to Paul Lynne and Tim McCarver. It was a hard pass from both.

Craig shares how his comedy has saved lives and how his patented “love master” techniques have created them. We learn how cults, coincidences and the call and response of the universe have followed him throughout his life. Laughter being the enduring soundtrack.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Never Let Him Go on Hulu, The Morning Show on Apple TV+ and John Mills with Orchids in Zoom, live at The Write-Off Room in Studio City on October 9th!

Path Points of Interest:

Craig Shoemaker

Craig Shoemaker on Wikipedia

Craig Shoemaker on Instagram

Craig Shoemaker on Facebook

Craig Shoemaker on Twitter

Craig Shoemaker on Youtube

Winning With Humor 

Laughter Heals

The Morning Show - Apple TV

Never Let Him Go on Hulu

John Mills at The Write-Off Room

The Mills Brothers' American Express Ad