Suspenders Unbuttoned Media: Entertainment Interviews

Kevin McGarry is back for our 100th interview of 2026!

Every time the three of us get together, it feels like picking up right where we left off. This time, there’s plenty to talk about, from what’s next in Hope Valley to a Christmas movie where the food gets its own close-ups.

Episode note: We discuss (SPOILER FREE ) Nathan and Elizabeth’s wedding and touch on what’s ahead in Season 14.

Kevin takes us behind the scenes of Nathan and Elizabeth’s proposal on When Calls the Heart. He shares how he and Erin Krakow helped shape the scene, why the ring and the water tower mattered, and what he’s looking forward to as Nathan and Elizabeth bring their families together. We also talk about Marilu Henner joining the show as Nathan’s mother and Lori Loughlin returning as Abigail in Season 14.

We go from The Spirit of Halloween with Meghan Ory to The Christmas Eve Feast with Daniella Monet. Kevin talks about working in an ensemble and how much care went into filming the Feast of the Seven Fishes. We also catch up on life lately, hear what the McGarries’ generosity means to him, and discover that his virtual background has plans of its own.

The Christmas Eve Feast premieres November 27, 2026, at 6/5c on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+.

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**Note: The tradition of The Feast of the Seven Fishes comes from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat and animal fat on the eve of a major holiday**

What does a producer actually do to bring a story to the screen? Alex Coscas returns to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to take Sarah and Julie inside his creative process, from recognizing a promising idea to shaping the finished film.

The Reckless Pictures co-founder discusses finding scripts, collaborating with writers, balancing creative choices with practical realities, and supporting actors on set. He also shares why he loves post-production, how editing and music shape a story’s emotional impact, and why working across genres keeps his creativity fresh.

Along the way, Alex offers behind-the-scenes examples from three Hallmark Christmas movies: A Season of Promises, starring Brooke D’Orsay, Ali Liebert, and James Denton; Christmas in Blue Dog Valley, starring Erin Cahill and Andrew Walker; and Return to Santa, starring Paul Campbell and Rachel Boston.

We also discuss making room for improvisation, finding new storytelling voices, and the direction he would have loved to explore with Providence Falls.

Karen Kingsbury joins Sarah on Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to talk about The Christmas Ring, the real family story that inspired it, and finding room for love after loss.Starring Jana Kramer, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Kelsey Grammer, The Christmas Ring follows a military widow whose search for a treasured family heirloom leads to an unexpected second chance at love.Karen shares how her mother’s missing pearl ring sparked the story, why actual military members appear in the film, and how a 102-year-old World War II veteran ended up with a speaking role. We also discuss collaborating with her son, director and co-writer Tyler Russell, filming in Franklin, Tennessee, and bringing her vision from the page to the screen through Karen Kingsbury Productions.Plus, Karen talks about the film’s romantic influences, its music, and why she wants faith to feel authentic within the stories she tells.WATCH THE CHRISTMAS RING• Streaming November 5, 2026, on Great American Pure Flix• Premiering November 7, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on Great American Family and GFAM+Spoiler note: Beginning around 18:20, we discuss a later romantic scene and plot details.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome Karen Kingsbury00:22 Finding hope through difficult stories01:47 From books to movies and television03:41 Why The Christmas Ring began as a screenplay04:41 The real lost-ring story that inspired the film06:19 Honoring military families and veterans08:14 Grief, healing, and second chances10:32 Jana Kramer, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Kelsey Grammer13:52 Finding connection through antiques and stories15:47 Making faith feel authentic18:20 Romantic movie influences and Ben’s big moment20:04 Filming in Franklin, Tennessee, and creating the score23:23 How Karen recognizes her next story24:13 Where and when to watchSubscribe for more conversations with the actors, authors, filmmakers, and creatives behind the stories you love.Visit Suspenders Unbuttoned Media:https://unbuttonedmedia.usInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/suspendersunbuttonedmedia/What treasured family keepsake has a story you would love to preserve? Tell us in the comments.#KarenKingsbury #TheChristmasRing #GreatAmericanFamily

The Last Dive director Cody Sheehy joins Sarah and Julie to talk about Terry Kennedy’s extraordinary friendship with Willy, a giant oceanic manta ray, and the expedition to search for him again after a decade apart.

Cody shares how a sailing friendship in Mexico led him to Terry’s boxes of underwater footage and a documentary spanning nearly two decades of connection. We talk about weaving that archive into a new expedition, directing underwater, and earning Terry’s trust as he shared the difficult parts of his past.

We also discuss Terry’s emotional first viewing at Tribeca, his unlikely path toward conservation, and why the film’s story of friendship stayed with both of us long after watching.

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Film information and screenings https://thelastdivefilm.com/

Cody’s Substack https://codysheehy.substack.com/

More interviews https://UnbuttonedMedia.us

SHOW NOTES:

What would bring a diver back to a remote island after ten years? For Terry Kennedy, it was the chance to find an old friend: Willy, a giant oceanic manta ray.

Director Cody Sheehy joins Sarah and Julie to discuss The Last Dive and the friendship at its center. Cody explains how he discovered Terry’s remarkable archive, what it took to film a new expedition, and how Terry’s willingness to revisit his past shaped the documentary.

We also hear about Terry’s first time seeing the finished film at Tribeca, the playful manta encounters that stayed with Cody, and why earning a documentary subject’s trust takes time.

Find screenings and film updates https://thelastdivefilm.com/

Follow Cody’s work https://codysheehy.substack.com/

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Christopher Russell returns to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to talk A Christmas Prayer Tradition, reuniting with Shae Robins, and what’s ahead for Mountie Michael in When Hope Calls season 4.

Sarah and Julie chat with Chris about continuing Wes’s journey through faith, grief, fatherhood, and love. He shares how he built a natural connection with his young costar, why Wes and Natalie’s established relationship gives the sequel more to explore, and why he’s already hoping for a third movie.

Then we head to Brookfield! Speaking while filming season 4, Chris teases changes for Michael, more of Michael and Nora’s slow-burn romance, returning characters, new faces, and more interaction between Michael and Wyatt. He also discusses the eight-episode season and how fans can show their support.

A Christmas Prayer Tradition begins streaming October 22, 2026, on Great American Pure Flix and premieres October 24 at 8/7c on Great American Family and GFAM+.

Subscribe for more conversations with the actors, authors, and creative people behind the stories you love.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back, Christopher Russell
00:10 Returning for A Christmas Prayer Tradition
03:18 Continuing Wes’s story
05:20 Building a believable father-daughter bond
07:09 What Wes learns from Caroline
09:42 Wes and Natalie’s relationship
11:20 Christmas fun and hopes for a third movie
12:46 The first movie’s audience response
15:25 Filming When Hope Calls season 4
16:23 Michael’s return and its impact on Brookfield
17:37 What’s next for Michael and Nora?
18:38 Season 4 romance, returning characters, and suspense
21:23 New characters coming to Brookfield
21:58 Eight episodes and fan support
23:47 Watching the show with his family
24:25 More scenes for Michael and Wyatt
25:30 Small acts of kindness
26:51 Where to watch A Christmas Prayer Tradition

#ChristopherRussell #AChristmasPrayerTradition #WhenHopeCalls

Josh Murray joins Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to discuss Gym Rat, now streaming, and the complicated character at the center of his first feature film as a producer.

Josh stars as Lonnie Milsap, a man newly released from prison whose pursuit of physical strength is tied to a deeper search for identity, control, and self-worth. In our conversation with hosts Sarah and Julie, Josh explores finding Lonnie's vulnerability, playing a protagonist audiences may struggle to embrace, and why understanding someone's story does not mean excusing their choices.

We also discuss working with Lou Ferrigno, collaborating with writer and director Korstiaan Vandiver, the importance of human connection in Lonnie's story, and the years of setbacks and perseverance behind bringing Gym Rat to the screen.

In this interview:
00:00 Welcome Josh Murray
00:17 How Gym Rat began
03:02 Understanding Lonnie Milsap
05:12 Finding a connection with a complicated character
07:50 Strength, control, and self-worth
10:21 Playing Lonnie's vulnerability
13:18 Challenging audience expectations
15:07 Why human connection matters
18:03 Working with Lou Ferrigno
21:07 Josh's first feature as a producer
24:20 Why he wants to keep producing
27:40 What Josh hopes viewers take away
29:08 Where to watch Gym Rat and follow Josh

Gym Rat is now streaming. Visit https://gymratmovie.com for current rental links and release updates.

Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshmurrayactor/

Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more conversations with the actors, filmmakers, authors, and creative voices behind the stories we love.

Visit our website: https://unbuttonedmedia.us

Love Sharon Horgan’s wardrobe in HBO’s Youth? Costume designer Camille Benda joins us to reveal the vintage finds, London influences, and character choices behind Alex’s style.From tailored work looks and sheer blouses to secondhand designer shoes, Camille explains how clothing helps tell Alex’s story—even when she’s trying to hold everything together.We discuss collaborating with Sharon Horgan, creating distinct wardrobes for Alex and Sam, and finding the right clothes for the show’s comedy. Camille also shares the story behind Alex’s green blouse, one of her favorite complete looks, and the costume team’s process for sourcing and organizing an entire series.Beyond Youth, we explore Camille’s journey from goth teen and thrift shopper to costume designer, author, and educator, plus her books Dressing the Resistance and Bending the Rules: Fashion Beyond the Binary.In this conversation:• Building a character’s wardrobe from the script• Finding inspiration in London street style• Collaborating with Sharon Horgan in fittings• Mixing vintage, designer, and secondhand pieces• Dressing women in midlife with personality• Using clothing to support physical comedy• The work behind a television costume department• Fashion, identity, culture, and self-expressionPlease note: This interview discusses scenes and character details through episode five of Youth.

CONNECT WITH CAMILLE

Website: https://www.camillebenda.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillebenda/

Dressing the Resistance: https://www.instagram.com/dressingtheresistance/

MORE FROM SUSPENDERS UNBUTTONED MEDIA Website: https://unbuttonedmedia.us

Subscribe for more conversations with the actors, authors, filmmakers, and creative teams behind the stories you love.#YouthHBO #CamilleBenda #CostumeDesign

Ryan McPartlin returns to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to talk Silver Bells at Christmas, starring alongside Laura Osnes and Chuck Wicks—and why laughter is where romantic chemistry begins.In this conversation with Sarah, Ryan shares his approach to playing Nick Day, his work as an executive producer, and the effort to make the film’s love triangle a meaningful choice.

He also talks about collaborating with director Brandon Clark, Laura Osnes’s singing, and the Kentucky filming experience that helped the Christmas magic come to life.

Plus: the scheduling story that made the movie possible, friends appearing as extras, his pick for a Christmas singing competition, and the mentors whose kindness stayed with him.

WATCH SILVER BELLS AT CHRISTMASStreaming premiere: October 15, 2026, on Great American Pure Flix.Network premiere: October 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on Great American Family and GFAM+.Subscribe for more conversations with actors, authors and the creative people behind the stories you love.Website: https://unbuttonedmedia.us

Meghan Ory joins Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for a conversation about The Spirit of Halloween, a romance that gives its leading character a chance to rediscover herself.

Meghan shares what surprised her about playing Everly’s journey, why her character overlooks the feelings of longtime friend Beau, and how Kevin McGarry’s preparation and presence shaped their scenes. We also discuss the fun of being the Halloween “bah humbug” and Meghan’s gratitude for her acting career.

The Spirit of Halloween premieres October 10, 2026, at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+.

Follow Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for interviews with actors, authors, filmmakers, and creative voices across entertainment.

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Crystal pears, a mysterious family orchard, and the first love who returns fourteen years later. Author Ann Adams joins Sarah and Julie to talk about Under the Orchard’s Spell, her cozy fall romance blending magical realism, family secrets, grief, and a second chance at love.Ann shares the real Hood River pear orchard that inspired the setting, why Ali and Logan’s shared history changed the love story, and how her agent’s suggestion transformed a contemporary romance into a magical one. Under the Orchard’s Spell publishes October 6, 2026, from Dell.BOOK DETAILS & RETAILER OPTIONS:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808106/under-the-orchards-spell-by-ann-adams/MORE FROM SUSPENDERS UNBUTTONED MEDIA:https://unbuttonedmedia.us/Subscribe for conversations with the authors, actors, and creators behind the stories you love.Tell us in the comments: What makes a book feel like fall to you?