The DTALKS Podcast

In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes SYLVIE to the podcast! Yes, that's right - the wonderful children's author and illustrator Sylvie Kantorovitz comes on the podcast to discuss her self-titled memoir.

Sylvie and Joe get into a discussion about art and artists, they detail what first drew Sylvie to art as a young child growing up in France, and how ultimately 'Sylvie' came to be published.

Enjoy!

About Sylvie Kantorovitz

Sylvie was born in Casablanca in 1960 and grew up in France. She always loved to read and draw, often at the expense of homework. As an author-illustrator, she feels fortunate to be able to do both for work and for fun. In 1980, Sylvie went to New York City for a year and studied at the Art Students League. Back in France, she studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. It is during these years that she discovered — or re-discovered — the magic of children's books. Sylvie moved to the US in her 20s, and now live in the beautiful Hudson Valley with her partner, Barbara Lehman. Barbara is also an author-illustrator of children's books. Sylvie has illustrated about twenty five books, six of which she has also authored.

About "Sylvie"

An affecting portrait of a unique childhood, Sylvie connects the ordinary moments of growing up to a life rich in hope and purpose.

Make sure to check out the NEW Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

Because you've got to have FAITH!

In this episode of the podcast we do not cover WHAM or anything else George Michael-related. However, we DO talk about the incredible book recently released by noteworthy author, Christopher B. Owen.

Faith is described as 'a romance beyond belief', it tells the story of Aaron (an atheist) falling in love with Faith (a Christian) and how their friends + family try to keep them apart, a true modern day Romeo & Juliet.

On this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes Chris and the two of them discuss 'Faith' which leads into a conversation around if we could truly see this type of relationship in the current political climate that we live in. The two also discuss Chris' writer origins and what other projects Chris is working on.

We couldn't be more delighted to have Chris on the podcast and we look forward to having him back on to discuss his next project.

Enjoy!

About Christopher B. Owen

Christopher B. Owen grew up in Texas where he developed a love for writing at an early age. He studied English Literature and Journalism in college, earning a B.A. in English from the University of Texas Arlington. After college, he worked a long and fruitful career in the aviation field, during which he was able to travel the world and experience many unique places and events that would later inform his writing.

After retirement, Chris began writing full time, and over the course of the past decade he has seen over forty of his short stories traditionally published in print and online, and is now proud to announce the release of his first two novels, Euro Spree and Faith.

Chris now lives in Colorado, surrounded by the gorgeous peaks of the Rocky Mountains, which he finds quite an inspiring and tranquil writing locale. He is at work on several new writing projects, and otherwise enjoys hiking the countryside, skiing, playing guitar, gourmet cooking and cocktail hour.

About Faith

While working on a routine music video shoot, Aaron Webner falls head over heels for the star of the show, Faith Carlyle. Just one problem, Faith is a devout Christian and the daughter of prominent televangelist Aubrey Carlyle. Quite surprisingly, Aaron and Faith hit it off, despite their seemingly contrasting beliefs. Initially, they keep their relationship on the sly, both from Faith's sanctimonious family and friends, but also from Aaron's secular world as well. As the tale progresses, however, matters come to a head when Aaron's atheism is revealed to Faith's parents.

Make sure to check out the NEW Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

ORDER UP!!!

In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes famed Vegan Chef Josie Clemens to the podcast! Joe & Josie discuss her time on Hell's Kitchen, her latest show Peeled (the only 100% Vegan Cooking Competition show!) and discuss how we can all take steps to reduce our environmental impact.

Chef Josie was an utter delight to have on the podcast and I cannot wait to have her back on (and I cannot wait to try some of her food!)

Enjoy!

About Chef Josie Clemens

Josie Clemens was one of the 18 contestants competing on Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns, and she stands out for being a vegan chef. Josie is 24 years old from Macomb, Michigan.he is one of the youngest contestants and was a private chef before joining Hell's Kitchen. Josie advocates for vegan cuisine and has a strong stance against using any animal products while cooking. She recently was featured in the UK version of Vegan Life and VegOut magazines. During the season premiere of Hell's Kitchen, the LA-based private chef also revealed she had an everlasting crush on Gordon Ramsey since she was 10 years old. According to her Instagram, it was one of her life goals to have him roast her. It turns out, dreams really do come true.

About Peeled

Created by long-time vegan advocate and Vkind Founder Star Simmons, PEELED was conceived to satiate demand for cooking shows that feature the innovative plant-based alternatives that have transformed culinary arts in recent years. Simmons' vision for the show sparked the interest of Chef Josie Clemens, whose experience being the first vegan chef to compete in the hit series "Hell's Kitchen" influenced her decision to join forces with Simmons as co-creator of PEELED.

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

Are you feeling frustrated because you spilled your coffee and are now late for work? Is this a big problem or a little problem? These types of questions are what today's guest Ben Feller addresses in his first ever book "Big Problems, Little Problems".

On this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes Ben to the show to discuss his book, how this philosophy can help both parents and their kids, and what Ben's time covering the White House was like.

Enjoy!

If you want to read the AP News story Ben referenced in the episode be sure to click below!

https://www.bet.com/article/x9ctx6/obama-honors-fallen-soldiers-during-pre-dawn-delaware-trip

About Ben Feller

Ben Feller is an award-winning writer who covered two presidents and now helps people and organizations tell their own stories. He is also a writing coach, moderator, media adviser and public speaker on parenting, politics and the power of communications.

A first-time children's book author, Ben's most important title – Sam Feller's dad – is the one that drove him to write Big Problems, Little Problems, a father-son tale about conquering life's frustrations together.

The book is built on Ben's love of parenting, his career in problem-solving and his pride in watching Sam grow up as a compassionate, joyful boy.

In his first career as a journalist, which spanned 20 years, Ben distinguished himself as one of the finest reporters in the nation. He ultimately served as the Chief White House Correspondent for The Associated Press, a role in which he led presidential coverage for the largest news organization in the world.

Ben spent more than six years covering President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, traveling aboard Air Force One across the United States and to more than 25 other countries. He often asked the first question at press conferences and was honored as a "master of deadline reporting."

About 'Big Problems, Little Problems'

Big Problems, Little Problems is the story of how a dad teaches his son to solve the daily challenges of life – and, in turn, the surprising ways in which a child can teach a grown-up to remember what is important, too.

We invite you into this charming picture book about a single dad (a rarity in the picture book world) and his little boy, who turns out to be very wise. From their secret handshake to their mutual problem-solving, this father and son have winning ways.

Written with lessons that apply to any family with young children, the book is distinctively told from a father's perspective, and built on how a son and dad listen to and learn from each other. This is a tale of how to conquer frustration no matter what the problem.

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

What is the responsibility of artists? What does the role of art play in all humankind? How does a conversation between two people who only met one time get so deep in 60 minutes? All this and more in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast!

In this episode of the podcast Joe welcomes actor (and friend) Franklin Killian to the podcast. Joe and Franklin discuss the overall responsibility of the artist in our lives and dissect Franklin's own career as well (including how he's connected to the current Netlfix show Cobra Kai!)

Enjoy!

Watch Franklin's show Homeschooled here!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

We're back!

Thank you for being patient with us as we took a well-deserved summer vacation these past several weeks. However, we know there is always work to be done to make a more inclusive world and are right back at it again!

We're thrilled to welcome Dave Wilk to the podcast for our first episode back!

Dave is one of the co-founder's of Four Day Weekend and he and Joe talk about how a 6 week run back in the 90's has turned into a corporate training entity. They discuss the transferable skills improv comedy can give any corporate leader and above all, how we can all make the world a better place!

Enjoy!

About Four Day Weekend

Voted Best Comedy and named "Best Entertainment Experience in Texas", Four Day Weekend is a D/FW comedy institution. Fort Worth's Mayor awarded them the Key to the City for being "Fort Worth's Greatest Ambassador", they've been awarded Small Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, performed for two U.S. presidents and delivered a keynote address to the United States Congress.

Four Day Weekend, a critically-acclaimed comedy troupe, is the longest-running show in the Southwest. The group performs a one-hour and forty-five minute improv comedy show around audience suggestions and participation.

About Dave Wilk

David Wilk is proud to be a Founding Member of the Four Day Weekend Comedy Theaters. In addition to having performed more than 6,500 live shows, Dave also travels nationally and internationally emceeing and keynote speaking for corporate clients. His client list reads like a "who's who" of the fortune 500. He's been in more commercials than he can remember. If you wear it, eat it, watch it, or talk into it, he's hawked it to you. Thanks for buying it.

Comedy has led Dave on many amazing adventures including the following highlights. Presenting 4day's "Yes, And" Keynote for the United States Congress where he met President Obama, working with President Bush and at his request headlining an Armed Forces Entertainment tour performing in Kosovo, Belgium, The Netherlands, England and Germany, receiving the Key to the City of Fort Worth for being "Fort Worth's Greatest Ambassadors", being awarded The Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and becoming an Entrepreneur in Residence at Texas Christian University's prestigious Neeley School of Business.

Dave and his 4day colleagues chronicled this amazing ride in their National Best Selling book "Happy Accidents", The Transformative Power of 'Yes, And' at Work and in Life.

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

Do you smell that delicious smell?

It's a delicious batch of cookies that The Reverend Shawn Amos is cooking up in his new book 'Cookies & Milk'!

Amos is on the show this week to discuss his book, a fictionalized re-telling of his childhood growing up as the son of Wally 'Famous' Amos and opening up the infamous cookie shop back in the 70's.

We get into a discussion about the book, all of his latest music releases, and how folks can start to 'reclaim their legacy'.

Enjoy!

About The Reverend Shaw Amos

Most people know me as blues musician, The Reverend Shawn Amos. I've been lucky to meet and work with a lot of very talented people who all taught me how to live a creative life.

I'm the only child of William Morris agent-turned-cookie entrepreneur Wally "Famous" Amos, and singer Shirley "Shirl-ee May" Ellis. I spent my childhood in shadowy nightclubs, on the funky streets of 70s Hollywood, and in my own broken home, watching folks hustle, intently listening to them spin tales. I went to NYU Film School, only to be wooed back west in my senior year to accept a screenwriting gig with A & M Films.

Throughout my twenties, I made music that grappled with my race and identity. I tried on personas, searched for my voice, explored different kinds of music which led me to the blues.

While I was grounded from touring during the Coronavirus Pandemic, I had a lot of time to think—and write. This was the beginning of Cookies & Milk. It's a book for my son (also named Ellis), my dad, and me. It's also a book for anyone wanting to discover who they are.

About Cookies & Milk

Eleven-year-old Ellis Johnson has the summertime blues. He dreamed of spending the summer of 1976 hanging out with friends, listening to music, and playing his harmonica. Instead, he'll be sleeping on a lumpy pullout in Dad's sad little post-divorce bungalow and helping bring Dad's latest far-fetched, sure-to-fail idea to life: opening the world's first chocolate chip cookie store. They have six weeks to perfect their recipe, get a ramshackle A-frame on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard into tip-top shape, and bring in customers. But of course, nothing is as easy as Dad makes it sound, even with Grandma along for the ride. Like she says, they have to GIT—get it together—and make things work. Along the way, Ellis discovers a family mystery he is determined to solve, the power of community, and new faith in himself. Partially based on Shawn Amos's own experiences growing up the son of Wally "Famous" Amos in a mostly white area, and packed with humor, heart, and fun illustrations, this debut novel sings with the joy of self-discovery, unconditional love, and belonging.

Listen to The Reverend Shawn Amos' Discography

Read The Cookies & Milk Huffington Post Pieces from 2011

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

NARF!

In this episode of the podcast Joe has the distinct pleasure of talking to legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen!

Rob discusses his early forays into voice acting, the Animaniacs revival, and how he perservered after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

Check it out and listen for Joe's updated 'Pinky & the Brain' lyrics right at the top of the episode.

Enjoy!

About Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen is an American voice actor and singer, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner, and Dr. Otto Scratchansniff from Animaniacs, and Pinky from Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs. In total, Paulsen has been the voice of over 250 different animated characters and performed in over 1000 commercials. He continues to play parts in dozens of cartoons as well as characters in animated feature movies.

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

When was the last time you started a new skill in high school and then decided 'yeah, I can go pro.'!?

Or when was the last time you were told 'if you win you're in, if you lose, you're traded'!?

Or how about marching down to the front office to get your missing pay check only to find out your head coach has been withholding pay due to 'poor performance'!?

And let's not even mention the dancing!

If you're intrigued, you're not alone. On this episode of the podcast Joe invites longtime friend and former professional hockey player Al Rooney on the podcast to discuss all things sports. The setting may be minor league but these are definitely MAJOR stories.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

In this episode of the podcast Joe talks to illustrator & artist Eric Wilkerson.

Joe and Eric get into a discussion about art, representation in media, and how Eric used his daughter as inspiration for his first picture book 'I Color Myself Different' written by Colin Kaepernick.

Enjoy!

About Eric Wilkerson

Eric Wilkerson is a Chesley Award-winning illustrator and concept artist whose client list includes Wizards of the Coast, Weta Workshop, Marvel, Dark Horse Comics, Scholastic, and Disney Publishing, to name a few. He has created art for film, TV, advertising, publishing, comics, and video games. A graduate of The School of Visual Arts, he teaches Illustration and Concept Art at CG Spectrum while also focusing on painting people of color having out of this world adventures.

About 'I Color Myself Different'

When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.

I Color Myself Differentis a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for change... even when you're very little!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload. With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale) Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!

https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/