The belief that the Earth is flat has recently enjoyed a resurgence while the established position stubbornly remains that anyone who thinks so must be crazy. This week's guest thought so too, at first, but then started to look into it himself. In this episode we go down the rabbit hole with Matt Trudell as we discuss the shape of the Earth, the difference between angels and aliens, the value of psychotropic drugs, the problem with government coverups and the importance of awareness... both of the self and of the world we live in. We also get in a few words on mythological super-men and the self-surveillance state plus Alex tells his story of how Stanley Kubrick's alien monolith ended an argument over tea.

Meet board member Elizabeth Galowich, veterinarian Dr. Lauren Palmer and marine biologist Kelsey Wong... just a few of the numerous staff and volunteers who are working every day to rescue, rehabilitate and re-release wounded seals and sea lions back into their ocean home. I had the pleasure of assisting with an on-site fundraiser live video stream featuring Vikings star Alexander Ludwig and then to interview these three dedicated professionals about the important work they do to help marine mammals and educate the public about their plight.

Musician, booking agent, event coordinator, social media marketing director, producer... call her whatever you want, just don't call her Svetlana! In this episode of On The Riser, Alex is joined by event producer Tsvetelina Stefanova; owner of Bad Moon Booking, keyboard player for the band Same Sex Mary and executive director of the Dam Short Film Festival to talk about music, movies, event planning and so much more. How do you plan and operate a festival or event with negligible resources, drive engagement with the local community and develop relationships with venues, organizations and sponsors... and do it all with passion while maintaining your creative integrity? Find out from someone's who's out there doing it right here in this episode. Also we get in a few words about vodka, Tsvet's fancy Jägermeister sweater and dealing with Imposter Syndrome, though how one person who gives so much can feel it's somehow not enough is quite beyond comprehension.

Being a woman in the live music industry isn't easy, but moving to Las Vegas, teaching yourself audio engineering and becoming successful in the field in just a few short years is even harder. Lacey is doing both, and has good reason to be proud of it. Join us on the riser with LA born Lacey Furgason as she discusses the challenges of live audio production, engaging with local and touring bands, the delicate process of assisting musicians without hurting feelings and her love of classical music. We also get in a few words about music composition, social anxiety and struggling with "inner demons".

Doug Stephens served his country in the armed forces and has a cute little dog named Sarge, but let's be honest... he's not the kind of guy you want to have lurking around your house at three in the morning because if he is, you missed one too many car payments and he's about to take your ride. Repo man, bounty hunter and bail bond agent are among his current credentials, at least the ones he's willing to talk about, but Doug is also very much concerned with issues of personal privacy and self surveillance... which makes sense when you consider that at least half of his job is looking people up online to figure out where he can find them. Join us on the riser for this spirited conversation about getting shot at, both in combat duty and on the job, the relationship between infantry soldiers and POGs (people other than grunts) and the proliferation of cameras and recording devices in modern society... plus a few choice stories about how people have tried to slip the bonds of justice... and failed.

From flaming swords to broken glass to things we just can't mention in print... all manner of items long, sharp and dangerous... Penny has put them down her throat or up into other places we also can't mention in print. Join us on the riser this week with Penny Poison, side-show / feature / adult entertainer extraordinaire to talk about her passionate relationships with fear, pain, taboo and... paperwork. Oooh, paperwork!

Stephanie joins Alex on the riser this week for three segments, presented in a single video. We shot them back to back and now you can watch them the same way and enjoy her stories and insights into the world of bartending without interruption. Do bartenders really hear everything a customer says? What words does she have for people who hate Las Vegas? How does she deal with dudes who take liberties with her space or can't hold their liquor? And, most importantly, what drinks should you order (or avoid) to stay on a bartender's good side? Find out all this and more... including a few choice thoughts on steak, the power of popcorn and a fair bit about about trains.

Accomplished filmmaker and sound engineer Jake Bass, producer of the short film "Escape from Las Vegas", camera operator, editor and overall film enthusiast joins Alex on the riser to talk about cinema tech, the production process and, most importantly, how to produce a good movie by simply respecting your audience. If the best way to learn is by doing it yourself, the next best way is by watching other people screw it up... and Jake's had plenty of opportunity to do both. We do agree that they don't make movies like they used to... can the cinema be saved? Is there such a thing as a perfect movie? Or should we just be happy to be working. Watch and find out! Plus we swap a few words about editing "in the old days" and what lies at the core of cinematic drama.