My Views Are My Own

Spooky Season is upon us, and stand-up comedian Hunter Collins joins me on the podcast today as a foreign correspondent deeply embedded in the Czech Republic. If you love learning, get ready to learn. We discuss some of the most undiscussed news stories, such as the grand prize winner of the Python Florida Challenge in the Everglades. Things get a little bit more intense when we discuss that the Czech Republic is building the first soccer stadium larger than Hunter's hometown stadium in Montreal, Canada. We inform our listeners how, why, and if there are more vampires in the Czech r\Republic than Canada and then we get extremely scientific with Cryptid News. Guess what?? A dog's sense of impending disaster might just save your life. And of course, we have to talk about the upcoming release of Hunter Collins' sketch comedy horror album Monster Orgy.

This episode was originally published on January 31, 2023.

Nathaniel Stinnett is the Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project, a non-partisan nonprofit that uses data analytics and behavioral science to mobilize environmentalists to vote. He joins me on the podcast today to discuss how the project was created, why some environmentalists don't vote, and why some people consider the environment to be a partisan issue. We also identify some of the largest obstacles to environmental protection, most notably billions of dollars spent by Citizens United and the fossil fuel industry to influence elections and hinder regulations. However this is one of the most optimistic conversations I've had on climate action and environmental conservation in a very long time. The Environmental Voter Project has mobilized millions of non-voting environmentalists to vote over the last few years. And environmentalists are on track to become an increasingly powerful and influential voter block that will be impossible to ignore in future elections.

In this episode, I am joined by professional diver, ocean and cave explorer, shark ecologist, photographer, speaker, writer, and conservationist Cristina Zenato to talk about shark behavior and how to care for these vital members of the ocean ecosystem. Cristina alone has pulled out over 300 fishing hooks from sharks' mouths with her own hands. She tells me how she first got started doing this and how she has developed close relationships with so many of the sharks she's helped in the reefs of the Bahamas. We discuss how certain sharks have personalities and Cristina dispels many of the widespread myths about sharks. We talk about her organization People of the Water and how she was able to make sharks a protected species in the Bahamas, which was a major legislative victory.

For more information about Cristina's work, visit https://cristinazenato.com/

In this episode, I am joined by screenwriter, actress, and director Jessica Anderson to discuss the horror filmmaking genre. We talk about classic horror films, modern horror films, and the tropes that have stood the test of time and which ones need to be retired. We also talk about her latest short film "Money Back Guarantee" that is currently in the film festival circuit, and her two feature-length screenplays that will soon be in production. 

Bruce Grossman is a photographer and filmmaker from New York City currently based in Denver, Colorado. He is currently premiering his short documentary "FRANK," depicting the life of Denver tattoo artist Frank Simanton. Bruce and I discuss his strategies and processes for finding a great story and telling it in a compelling way that allows audiences a close personal glimpse into the real lives of ordinary yet impressive people. Bruce tells me the story of how a project he began but was ultimately unsuccessful in eventually resulted in a year of manic photography of some of the most skilled tattoo artists and their work, and then led to the creation of not only "FRANK," but also a successful coffee table book. Bruce explains why he's not going the traditional film festival route and is instead promoting his work on his own. He also encourages me to take my own short documentary film idea and run with it, because it not only sounds cool and rad, but also why not.

Actress Samantha Ireland gets swept up into the heart-pounding action in Universal Pictures' epic storm disaster film "Twisters" and then lands safely here at My Views Are My Own podcast. We talk about her role in the film, the best and most exciting scenes, and the movie magic that went into the creation of this blockbuster hit. We discuss the creative decisions and incredible use of CGI and special effects that made the film so exciting, and which aspects of the film were actually based in science. We also discuss how the movie stays true to the original 1996 film starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, which made me and many others want to become meteorologists. And we solve a conspiracy involving Alanis Morissette.

In this episode I am joined by journalist and labor activist Joe Mayall to take a deep look at and discuss solutions for the current state of American domestic politics. We discuss relevant and important questions such as: Why do conservatives fetishize debate? What is the difference between people like Ben Shapiro that use debate for social media clicks and politicians that use the same strategy to change policy and laws? We also take a trip down history lane to explain how James Madison and the Federalist Papers laid the groundwork for dividing the working class to preserve wealth and power for the elite. Joe breaks down how dividing the working class has become a modern tactic, what can be done about this phenomenon, and why volunteering and human contact is one of the best strategies to stay positive in the midst of challenging times. 

If you guessed I was going to ask Alison Chace about her role in the Tubi original disaster film "Continental Split" then you’re a pretty good guesser. But if you also guessed that I was going to surprise her with an improv scene that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that I would be the best chief of staff for any governor in the country, then you’re practically clairvoyant! Alison shares with me some of her best stories of her experiences an author, actor, documentary film maker, and app developer. We also create a short story through one of co-producer Colleen's Mad Libs that should be adapted into a high-budget blockbuster action film immediately.

In this episode, I am joined by environmental science journalist and photographer Avery Nunn, who shares with me about her love for the planet and all things nature and how she uses visual storytelling to share this love with others. She tells me about her work in investigative climate reporting and what she hopes to accomplish by sharing information and illuminating both problems and solutions. She tells me about the connection between talking to whales and talking to aliens, and about how the rich social lives of dolphins can help teach humans about climate solutions. Avery tells me about the most incredible places she's been and how she's captured some of her most difficult photos. She also shares her advice for everyday ways to develop a stronger connection to nature and the outdoors.

In this episode, I am joined by actor Bryan McClure, who most recently appears as a documentary filmmaker opposite Oscar winners Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates in the newest HBO original movie "The Great Lillian Hall." McClure has also appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including as the Headless Night in the Disney mystery adventure film Haunted Mansion, as well as The Walking Dead, Atlanta, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Mindhunter. In his latest film, loosely based on a true story, Bryan's character is documenting the production of a play in which the lead actress, a renowned Broadway star, suffers from memory loss and struggles with an increasingly noticeable illness. Bryan explains what it is like making a movie within a movie and shares his experience working alongside the stars of the film. Of course I ask about his intense scene in The Walking Dead where he stabs himself in the throat with a giant screwdriver while facing off with some of the show's most iconic characters. Bryan also talks to me about his upcoming comedy short which he wrote and produced, Roast Pork Butt, based on the worst date he ever had.