Hugh Forrest is the President and Chief Programming Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world’s leading festivals celebrating music, film, technology, and innovation. A native of Austin, Texas, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s creative and entrepreneurial identity. Joining SXSW in its early days, he leveraged his background in publishing and technology to help grow the festival into an internationally recognized event. Under his leadership, SXSW has expanded beyond music to include industry verticals such as health tech, transportation, and artificial intelligence, all while staying true to its mission of fostering creativity and connection.

His contributions to Austin’s cultural and business landscape have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Austinite of the Year and receiving the Diversity Champion of the Year award. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Hugh remains committed to the power of in-person interactions, emphasizing their importance in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of SXSW’s evolution, recounting its early days in the 1980s when Austin’s club owners took a chance on a fledgling festival during spring break—a decision that would shape the city’s global reputation. He discusses SXSW’s transformation from a music-focused event into a multidisciplinary hub for film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation. Addressing concerns that the festival has become too corporate, he argues that while SXSW has grown, its core mission of celebrating creativity and community remains unchanged. Throughout the conversation, Hugh also shares his personal journey, reflecting on how his deep ties to Austin have influenced his leadership and vision for one of the world’s most influential cultural events.

• Ami’s life update and travel adventures: Ami shares her recent travels, including attending the Grammys and the Super Bowl, before introducing Hugh (0:30)
• How Hugh Forrest got involved with SXSW: Hugh recalls his early days in Austin, his background in publishing, and how he was hired for his desktop publishing skills (4:10)
• The birth of SXSW: A festival born from rejection: Hugh shares how SXSW came to be after a failed partnership with a New York music event, and how Austin club owners reluctantly gave them a chance (6:42)
• SXSW’s evolution: From music to tech, film & beyond: The festival’s expansion beyond music to include film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation—shaped by Austin’s growth (10:21)
• Balancing corporate growth and grassroots creativity: Hugh addresses criticisms that SXSW has become too corporate, explaining how they balance big brands with indie creatives (14:54)
• Navigating controversies: DEI, social issues and speaker curation: Discussion on how SXSW handles political and social challenges, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (1:13)
• Personal highlights: Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne and memorable moments: Hugh shares one of his biggest regrets—missing most of Bruce Springsteen’s keynote—and reflects on other standout festival moments (24:20)
• Austin’s transformation and SXSW’s role in the city’s growth: The impact of SXSW on Austin’s economy and identity, and Hugh’s thoughts on the city’s evolution (28:11)
• Hugh’s perspective: Success, creativity and the future of SXSW: Rapid-fire Q&A on success, creativity, and what excites him about the future of SXSW (35:26)

Connect with Hugh Forrest:

• LinkedIn
• X

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Dr. Andrew Newberg is a neuroscientist and pioneer in neurotheology, exploring the relationship between brain function and spiritual experiences. As Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and a physician at Jefferson University Hospital, he has conducted extensive brain imaging studies on practices like prayer, meditation, and rituals. Board-certified in internal and nuclear medicine, Dr. Newberg has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles and 14 books, with his work featured in major media outlets and programs like "Dr. Oz" and "Good Morning America." Renowned globally, he was named among the "30 Most Influential Neuroscientists Alive Today."

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Newberg provides an in-depth overview of neurotheology, explaining how it bridges science and spirituality to address critical questions about consciousness and the human experience. He discusses the biological underpinnings of religious and mystical experiences, the interplay between rituals and mating behaviors, and the neurological parallels between spiritual ecstasy and sexual bliss. His research on integrative medicine underscores the value of combining traditional medical practices with lifestyle changes and alternative therapies. Andrew also addresses the societal divisions arising from differing belief systems and proposes that understanding the neurological basis of our connections and differences can foster greater unity. His insights draw from decades of research, personal curiosity, and a desire to help people navigate the complexities of spirituality and health.
 

• Defining Neurotheology and Integrative Medicine: neurotheology is the study of the relationship between the brain and spirituality, it’s a two-way approach + integrative medicine is a holistic approach combining traditional medicine with alternative practices (3:54)
• The Role of Stress and Lifestyle in Health: how stress impacts health + the connection between mental and physical well-being + the importance of personalized, integrative healthcare (9:15)
• Andrew's Early Curiosity About Reality: Andrew reflects on his childhood questions about religion, reality, and consciousness, which led to his interest in neuroscience and philosophy (13:58)
• Sex, God, and the Brain: Exploring Connections: the biological and neurological overlap between religious, spiritual, and sexual experiences, including findings from orgasmic meditation studies. (24:47)
• The Interplay of Rituals, Spirituality, and Biology: the evolution of rituals, their grounding effects + their connections to both human and animal mating behaviors + their role in spirituality (31:21)
• Patriarchy, Religion, and the Separation of Sex and Spirituality: how patriarchal structures have historically separated sexuality from spirituality + the potential for reconnecting these elements (41:38)
• Rituals as Neutral Technologies: Dr. Newberg describes rituals as tools that can be used for both positive and negative purposes, illustrating their power to shape beliefs and behaviors (47:44)
• The Challenges of Evolving Beliefs and Societal Divisions: how ancient brain processes struggle with modern complexities + the importance of openness to alternative perspectives to bridge societal divides (49:06) 
• Rapid Fast Round (53:44)
   

Connect with Andrew Newberg:

• Website
• Instagram
• Get Andrew’s books!

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Dan Slepian is an Emmy-winning journalist, producer, and storyteller with nearly 30 years at NBC News. Known for his investigative work on Dateline, Dan has exposed injustices, solved cold cases, and helped exonerate the wrongfully convicted. His acclaimed podcast, Letters from Sing Sing, chronicles his 20-year fight to prove the innocence of John Adrian “JJ” Velazquez. A 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Dan recently published The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a 20-Year Fight for Justice. Beyond journalism, he is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, focusing on the human cost of mass incarceration.

Dan discusses the systemic flaws in the justice system, including racial bias, prosecutorial misconduct, and the lack of accountability for wrongful convictions. He brings a deeply personal and professional lens to the conversation, emphasizing his commitment to truth over personal recognition. He shares insights into the realities of mass incarceration, describing how systemic failures—from flawed eyewitness procedures to prosecutorial pressure—lead to wrongful convictions.

Dan also explores his relationship with JJ, which has evolved into a profound bond that underscores the human toll of these injustices. He speaks candidly about his investigative process, the importance of humanity and empathy, and his enduring advocacy for those wrongly imprisoned. His accounts of JJ’s case and his Voices from Within program highlight the potential for transformation and healing within and beyond prison walls. Dan dives into his recent book, The Sing Sing Files, and the forthcoming documentary series The Sing Sing Chronicles, which humanizes those affected by the system.

• Dan’s Reluctance Toward Self-Promotion: Dan discusses his discomfort with being in the spotlight + he reflects on the challenges of public advocacy while maintaining journalistic objectivity (3:26)
• Upbringing and Family Influence: Dan shares his childhood experiences + He credits his mother for instilling grit and resilience and his father for teaching empathy and the value of fighting for others (6:37)
• Navigating Advocacy and Family Dynamics: Dan recounts the depth of his 20-year connection with JJ + how Dan’s work evolved from investigative reporting into a deeply personal mission for truth + how Dan’s family became an integral supporter of JJ (9:52)
• Journey into Journalism: Dan recounts the early days of his career + He shares formative moments, like witnessing Michael Jordan before a game and the lessons they imparted about professionalism. (19:11)
• The Case of Robert Roberson: Robert Roberson’s case, a man on death row convicted of killing his daughter + science have debunked much of the evidence used against Roberson + Dan emphasizes the racial and procedural inequities in death penalty cases and critiques the system’s inefficiencies, high costs, and lack of deterrence (22:20)
• The Roots of Wrongful Convictions: Systemic issues leading to wrongful convictions + eyewitness misidentification, coerced confessions, and improper courtroom dynamics + JJ Velazquez’s case exemplifies these failures + the need to humanize those impacted by wrongful convictions (34:53)
• Voices from Within and JJ Velazquez’s Journey: Systemic bias in the justice system, , pointing out how former prosecutors often become judges in the same jurisdictions, fostering a “club-like” atmosphere + Dan’s and JJ’s collaboration on Voices from Within + challenging myths like “everyone in prison claims innocence + the long-lasting trauma caused by wrongful incarceration (45:00)
• The Emotional Catalyst for Justice: the emotional impact of his first encounter with JJ’s children + Dan developed a familial bond with JJ’s children + the lifelong impact of losing a parent to incarceration (51:56)
• The Pathology of Mass Incarceration: The Sing Sing Files, and the emotional impact of the documentary series The Sing Sing Chronicles + education and vocational training in prisons + need to treat prisoners with dignity and reintegrate them into society + mass incarceration as a moral failing of society (55:02)
• The Innocence Project and Personal Reflections: Dan credits the Innocence Project + Dan maintains his discomfort with being labeled as a trailblazer (1:111:07)
• Rapid Fast Round (1:12:46)

Connect with Dan Slepian:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Get Dan’s book - The Sing Sing Files!
• Listen to Dan’s podcast - Letters from Sing Sing!

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Debbie Millman is a writer, designer, educator, artist, brand consultant and host of the podcast Design Matters.Design Matters is one of the world’s very first podcasts. Broadcasting independently for 19 years, the show is about how the world’s most creative people design the arc of their lives. On top of it all, she has authored 6 books, her latest one called Love Letter To a Garden comes out in April and is a definite shift from her previous works.  Which is no surprise to me because Debbie is the very definition of evolution, constantly learning, changing, growing and all the while, having a blast.

Debbie recounts her journey as a OG podcaster and explains her process of preparing deeply researched interviews that uncover her guests' stories with authenticity and depth, emphasizing the importance of respect and engagement in meaningful conversations. Debbie also opens up about her latest book, Love Letter to a Garden, a visual and personal exploration of her quest to cultivate greenery in her life. She discusses how gardening became a source of connection and creativity during the pandemic and how this new venture has inspired her future projects. 

We also talk about what makes New York City kids so unique, why we’re both glad we didn’t peak in high school, how she designed her high school prom, and why she is still keen to keep walking up the mountain.

• A Love Letter to Gardening: Debbie introduces her latest book + She shares how the project began during the pandemic and how it combines illustrations, photographs, and stories (2:53)
• The Mental Health Benefits of Nature: The therapeutic value of gardening + practical advice for beginners + how gardening has enriched Debbie’s creative process and daily routine (5:56)
• The Origins and Evolution of Design Matters: Debbie recounts the early days of Design Matters and describes its growth over 20 years + chapters of the podcast’s evolution (9:29)
• The Art of Interview: Debbie shares her approach to conducting meaningful interviews + She reveals the challenges of navigating interviews with unengaged guests and maintaining authenticity (12:27)
• Advice for Aspiring Podcasters: Debbie offers candid advice for podcasters, emphasizing the importance of passion, preparation, and perseverance + she advises maintaining a day job to sustain creative freedom and avoiding the pressure of chasing trends or chart (20:45)
• Debbie’s Creative Roots and New York City Upbringing: Reflecting on her childhood in New York City + how her high school and college experiences shaped her career path (24:39)
• Living a Creative Life Without Peaking: Debbie’s reflections on her ever-evolving career and her aspiration to continue climbing her creative "mountain." (38:36)
• Rapid Fast Round: (39:13)

Connect with Debbie Millman:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X
• The Design Matters Podcast!
• Get Debbie’s books!

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

 This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Nasreen Shahi is a well-known fashion and lifestyle influencer, celebrated for her vibrant online presence and a community of over half a million followers on social media. Through her platform, Hey Nasreen, she shares style inspiration, wellness tips, and personal insights, offering her audience an authentic look into her life.

Beyond her role as an influencer, Nasreen is a resilient advocate for breast cancer awareness. Diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer at 40, she has courageously shared her journey, empowering women by speaking openly about her health battles and challenging the cultural stigmas that often surround such diagnoses in South Asian communities.

In this episode, Nasreen speaks candidly about the emotional and physical toll her diagnosis has taken and describes her initial shock, especially given her healthy lifestyle before the diagnosis. She talks about her ongoing treatments, the challenges of choosing between different therapies, and the side effects she endures. Nasreen shares her perspective on the need for a more proactive approach to women’s health and highlights the lack of open discussion about breast cancer. She recounts stories of South Asian women who keep their diagnoses private due to cultural stigma, hoping to inspire others to speak openly and seek support. Nasreen also touches on the joys of motherhood and how her journey has led her to a more present and intentional life. Despite the challenges, she has continued her work as an influencer, driven by her desire to help others through her openness and authenticity.

• Living with a Metastatic Diagnosis:  Nasreen describes the unexpectedness of her diagnosis + the early stages of treatment + living with metastatic breast cancer means being on indefinite therapy + importance of early detection + Nasreen opens up about the difficult side effects + the difficult choices patients face between various treatment options and the unpredictable effects of each therapy (2:56)
• A Proactive vs. Reactive Healthcare Approach: Contrasting the two approaches + how societal expectations often cause women to self-blame after a health diagnosis (8:00)
• Cultural Stigma in the South Asian Community: The cultural stigma surrounding breast cancer in the South Asian community + anecdotes of women who keep their diagnoses private out of fear + Nasreen urges more open conversations to break these stigmas + setting an example for the younger generation (10:52)
• The Things Cancer Can Teach: Nasreen reflects on how her experience has changed her perspective on life and motherhood (15:28)
• Navigating Work as an Influencer with Cancer: Explaining the flexibility needed to accommodate treatments + the support Nasreen receives from her audience and brands + emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her journey + Nasreen discusses moments of joy she has experienced + gratitude for the support network she has gained through sharing her journey (20:32)
• Rapid Fast Round (24:25)
• Final Reflections and Advice: Nasreen offers advice to listeners, encouraging them to let go of others’ judgments + the importance of breaking free from cultural shame (26:00)

Connect with Nasreen Shahi:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Davy Gardner started his career as an audio writer and creator whose work can be found on networks like Radiotopia, Wondery, and Audible, among others. He has won multiple awards and honors valuing his work as a writer in various genres such as comedy and audio drama. He was a playwright and performer for six years at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. 

For over two years now, Gardner has been the Head of Tribeca Audio and Curator of Audio Storytelling at Tribeca Enterprise. He made a great contribution to taking the “Film” out of the Tribeca Festival and pushing it further towards a multimedia festival that it has been for a while. 

In this episode, Davy discusses the evolution of the Tribeca Festival into a multimedia event and emphasizes the importance of audio storytelling. He highlights the challenges independent podcasters face, such as discoverability, and the role of curatorial entities like Tribeca in promoting innovative content. He also shares his journey from writing for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater to his current role, stressing the need for creative risks and the value of public recognition. Finally, reflects on personal experiences, including the impact of his mother's death and the importance of recognizing and managing feelings of being "tuckered out."

“I Don't Have A Billboard On Times Square”: The challenges that independent podcasters face + audio storytelling as an emerging genre parallel to what comes to everyone’s mind when podcasting is mentioned + the disproportionate recognition the audio art form gets in the public eye and ways entities such as Tribeca can play a role in this. (04:49)

Getting Audio On The Red Carpet: Emphasizing the importance of recognizing audio creators + getting the first Getty Image and the word out there about one’s podcast (14:12)

Improv Guided My Life: Davy explains how he got into performing after being on the writing side + how improv comedy got him out of depression after his mother’s passing + the way performing and improv can support a writer’s journey (17:45)

State of Podcasting and Independent Creators: Discussing the challenges of audio as a whole is going through for decades now + the importance of creative risk-taking while not being ruled by the money tap + Davey encourages independent creators to focus on their artistry and not get discouraged by financial difficulties (22:01)

Growing Up in New York City: Davy tells about his upbringing and experiences being a high schooler in NYC + NYC as a melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds + not ending up dead as a teenager and rubbing elbows with the Ivy League kids (28:39)

Attending The Happiest College: The challenges of adjusting to the new environment both literally and figuratively + forming career-defining connections throughout the years in college (35:55)

Being “tuckered out”: The way to sustain anything is if it brings you joy + no shame in being in and out of feeling “tuckered out” when there is a constant pressure of getting back to happy + Davy shares his experiences with grief and how they shaped his perspective on life (39:00)

Concert Highlights: Davy Gardner shares his experience seeing Arcade Fire and the impact it had on his career + having a complete concert experience while watching the live recording of LCD Soundsystem's "Dance Yourself Clean" (48:42)

Connect with Davy Gardner:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Official website

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

“So much of what Bash and I do through our work is what we call this Revised Americana…we’ve had such a Euro-Centric what American storytelling is, but how can we change that narrative through the films that we make, through the commercials that we make, through all of the content that we put out there…I think Breakin’ was an opportunity to do that…”

Breakdancing?  At the Olympics? Hell. Yes.  

Today is a watershed moment for the @dynamicrockers and @rocksteadycrew1977 who were just kids at the time they created this dance movement in a NYC that was going through a tumultuous time.

Welcome to another special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.

Jamaal Parham and Bashan Aquart are known as the Brooklyn-based directing team JamsBash and have spent the last decade crafting award-winning TV shows, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and a film. They worked with people like Michael B. Jordan, Robert DeNiro, Mindy Kaling, Samuel L. Jackson- just to name a few.

Their work is driven by their innate desire to tell stories of the authentic American experience, infused with magical realism and rooted in a love of boundary-pushing design and classical filmmaking technique.

We discuss breakdance's origins and growth, its cultural relevance, and whether it should be considered sport, art, or both (it’s a topic my friends), how hiphop and breaking grew together in parallel, their relationship with art and storytelling, and all agreed that stories that begin and end in NYC are stories that could never happen anywhere else or be replicated anywhere else.

We dive into their latest documentary, "Breakin' On the One," they share their thoughts on the challenges of doing comedy in "sensitive times," the importance of preserving African American cultural heritage through dance, how communication through a cypher of  movement it is such a beautifully uniquely black and brown thing, and what our Bboy names would be if we could all actual breakdance.

Mine is Trick Tucker.

Also, Bashan was attacked by a beetle during the interview.  He survived. 

• Early Creative Influences: Jamaal and Bashan's diverse backgrounds + family expectations influencing their creative careers (7:20)
• Finding their Place in the Creative Realm: The moment Jamaal and Bash discovered their calling for storytelling and filmmaking (12:00)
• Inclusivity, Humor, and Career Building: Making people laugh without offending them + transition from theater to film and TV + the importance of building long-term relationships with clients (27:00)
• "Breakin' On the One" and the NY Competitive Spirit: Creating a documentary on breakdance + New Yorkers against NY + breakdance as a life saver (38:20)
• Breakdance is Art or a Sport, its Global Spread: Jamaal details the European tour of breakdancing crews + the artistic elements of breakdance + acceptance of breakdance in Eurocentric cultures (48:30)

Connect with Jamall Parham:

• Visit Jams and Bash's website
• LinkedIn
• IMDb page

Connect with Bashan Aquart:

• LinkedIn
• IMDb page

Let's Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by 

Ginni Media

Rianjali is an award-winning, NYC-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter/composer.  Previously working as a former domestic violence and teacher, Rianjali found her “pinch me moment” when Oscar award-winning musician A.R. Rahman invited her to work with him And she hasn’t looked back. 

From composing music for hit shows on Amazon Prime and Netflix to collaborating legends such as  U2, Bishop Briggs, and Shawn Mendes, Rianjali’s big mission in life is to change the perspectives of South Asian musicians’ perspective in the diaspora and to encourage women to explore careers within music and film, and she does this with humor and heart through her  Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast, which Rianjali co-hosts and produces, sharing her no-holds-barred views on the society,  music, and culture of the South Asian diaspora.  

Rianjali’s production company is Mild Mannered Timid whose short films include Seeing God, which won Best Documentary at the South Asian Film Festival of America, and Saltwater, which was officially selected for the Wisconsin Film Festival and Chicago South Asian Film Festival of America.  

This  drive to break barriers and defy traditional expectations and stereotypes defines every aspect of her life from her marriage to her music to her films. She is a true trailblazer and and yes, now my soul sister 

Rinajali shares her crazy ride and lets us into her darkest moments, the challenges she faced taking care of her parents and South Asian expectations, and her decision to follow AR Rahman to Chennai. She reveals how AR Rahman became her personal Mr Miyagi and what he’s like up close and personal. We talk about how her marriage to Kunal by a queer Hindu priestess inspired her first doc; how her latest short film,Saltwater, explores communication in South Asian families; and how her film work helped her connect with her own family.

The Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast:  Challenging the stereotype of South Asian women  + using humor to deal with pain +wanting to support South Asian community + the  freedom to be honest about South Asian culture + fear of being shamed five years from now (04:48)

Breaking the Film Barrier:  Making debut movie with $800 + getting married + the tattooed, weed-smoking queer Hindu priestess + Saltwater and how Indian fathers communicate + having your film used in film classes (12:42)

Rianjali and Kunal - How the Crazies Found Each Other:  Rianjali details her husband’s talents as an attorney and musical creative + how she and Kunal connected through music + how their parents thought they were crazy + how Kunal supports and complements her.  (20:11)

Rianjali’s Dark Journey:  Rianjali’s early love of singing and how her teacher pushed her to musical high school + Giving up singing for college and being diagnosed with depression + Getting polyps on vocal cords and fighting back + Getting a “realistic” job and the stress of helping battered women. (24:44)

Enter AR Rahman:  Rianjali tells how a singing clip on Facebook led to her meeting AR + how she had to care for her sick parents + Singing for AR while he videoed her like a dad + the offer of a lifetime to go to India + Deciding to go and the guilt of  “abandoning” her parents. (30:12)   

Rianjali’s Journey Begins: Joining AR Rahman in Chennai as a purple-haired girl in a traditional Indian community + the intensity of being mentored by AR and learning on the fly + how AR took care of her like a father + her first triumphs with Amazon and Netflix and Bollywood (41:34)

Returning to Earth: Rianjali talks about finding her musical voice, being South Asian but wanting to do her own thing + the joy she took in becoming a full-time teacher + how the pandemic forced her to switch from gigging to writing music + advising people on the hard realities of the music business +  the South Asian impulse to be realistic about career choices and how it clashes with following your dream. (50:32)

Rianjali and U2: Rianjali recalls her jamming session with Bono, the Edge, and AR Rahman. (59:01)

Current and Future Projects: The excitement of making documentaries with Academy Award-Winning Vanessa Roth + plans to showcase traditional South Asian recipes and moving beyond South Asian food + having her dad star in a pilot episode, how he shared his life story with her on camera, and her love-hate relationship with him + the clash of generational attitudes towards family and ambition in South Asian culture (01:01:16)

What Now for Rianjali?  Rianjali reflects on her changing goals in life and work + her desire to be known as just a female composer + the importance of getting more women into making music and film + the pleasure of helping people on their own music journeys.

Connect with Rianjali:

• Rianjali's Official Website
• Instagram
• Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast
   

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by

 Ginni Media

Welcome to the first special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.

Bill Teck is a writer, producer, director, and the founder of the Generation ñ Media brand. His films include One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film (2014). A Cuban-American who grew up in Miami, Bill has been named by Newsweek Magazine as One of 20 Latinos to Watch and by Hispanic Business Magazine as One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. 

His amazing new HBO documentary, Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Chronicling the legendary Stevie Van Zandt, it features a wealth of never-before-seen footage that traces Van Zandt's career as a producer, musician, songwriter, activist, actor, and a whole lot more. For those who know Stevie best as consigliere to Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano, Bill beautifully captures the story of a true Renaissance man and amazing human being.

In this episode, Bill recalls his Miami days as an out-of-place rock and roll fan in a disco town, and we bond over our love of British invasion music. Bill dives deep into the making of the documentary, revealing the challenges of keeping up with a man who never stops creating and the thrill of finding lost footage that even Stevie didn’t know he had. Bill describes how Stevie’s driving force is his passion for rock ‘n’ roll as a force for social change. Finally, he shares what observing up close Stevie’s musical originality, his fifty-year-old marriage to Maureen, and his close lifelong relationships have taught him about life and himself.

Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple debuted on JUNE 22 (8:00 p.m.–10:25 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

• Talking Stevie Van Zandt: Falling in love with Stevie + the British invasion music scene + how Bruce Springsteen and Stevie “lived the legend” as lifelong friends (04:12)
• Landing the Dream Job: How Bill’s early love of Van Zandt inspired the documentary + the years of rejection before being accepted by Stevie’s “powerhouse” wife + being inspired by Stevie and Maureen’s touching relationship (08:53)
• Hanging out with the Legends:  Learning the secret to a great band + talking Stevie with fans Bono and Paul McCartney + singing with Eddie Vedder at 4 a.m (10:41)
• Back in the Day: Bill misses wild rock stars flying everywhere, but welcomes the new diversity of voices in the music industry (13:58)
• “This Beard Was Not Gray When I Started:” Touring Barcelona one day and going to a trial in DC the next (15:57)
• Rock and Roll Evangelist: Bill reveals Stevie’s unique way of linking music to political change (17:40)
• The Unseen Stevie Van Zandt: Stevie and Maureen’s rock and roll wedding + film of the couple falling in love + the Stevie and Mandela tape lost in a drawer (19:50)
• Quiet Pioneer: How Stevie combined hip hop with punk before Run DMC and Aerosmith, and his Grammy-winning reggae song (22:39)
• Lessons Learned: Bill relates how observing Stevie taught him not to compromise in work (24:09)
• Stevie the Mensch: Convincing Stevie to appear in the film + filming Stevie with his family +  Stevie inviting fans to eat with him + how Ami doesn’t mind Stevie wearing a Ganesh shirt  (25:16)
• Lessons From Stevie: If your first dream dies, just stay with it, because you never know what's gonna happen + how even a two and half hour film doesn’t do justice to Stevie’s career (27:07)
• Miami and Music: Bill recalls reading Rolling Stone while his friends were into disco + learning to love all music + why the Smiths are so popular with Latinos (33:32)
• Concert Stories: Bill’s most epic concert + seeing Stevie and Bruce before Hollywood stars + how Bono stopped a fight at his concert (35:30)
• What Next for Bill: (40:01)

Connect with Bill

• billteck.com
• Bill's IMDb page

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by  Ginni Media

Anjali Virmani is the Global Head of Creative Solutions at Time Out Media. Shuttling between 10 global offices with a brief of 333 cities, she crafts and implements the Time Out global brand story, strategy, and identity, building bridges between the Time Out brand and its consumers globally.

Anjali’s passion for diversity, uniting, and empowering people of all ages and cultures shines through in her life and career. She sees her role at Time Out as a gateway to building bridges between brands and consumers and fostering connections worldwide. And she is in a unique position to unite diverse communities through the shared experiences of food, culture, and general joy.

Anjali shares her incredible journey from her childhood, always feeling out of place, to finally finding her home in New York and Time Out. She reveals the challenges and the exhilaration of managing the amazingly diverse Time Out brand. We dive deep into the evolving nature of DEI, race, and what it means to be South Asian for our generation compared to our parents. We go into breaking out of the mold of Good Indian Girl and the importance of learning new things. Finally, we reflect on being the freest South Asian generation and look forward to a new era of diversity for our children even if we still have a long way to go.
 

• The Lowdown on Time Out:  Time Out’s story from its humble origins as a free magazine to its rise as a global brand + the excitement of creating food spaces and music festivals in Lisbon, Abu Dhabi. and New York + the challenges of appealing to Gen Z (5:38)
• Spreading the Time Out Message: The challenges of combining local, national, and global brands + traveling in Asia and Europe + future expansion of Time Out into Barcelona and Budapest (12:45)
• “Indians Come In All Shades, Right?”: Anjali shares her story of growing up in Manchester and the US as the only brown girl, not knowing if she’s white or black, and finding her voice in the “blonde hair” publishing world + the joy of living in New York and having a mix of everything + the shift from “multicultural” to “mainstream” marketing and uniting diverse cultures rather than emphasizing “otherness” (20:03)
• Our Parents and Us: Anjali on moving to the United States at 10 years old + Anjali and Ami envy their parents’ social lives and sense of community +  how parents allow their children freedom while keeping them grounded + how the price of freedom can be loneliness (27:48)
• Back In The Day: - Anjali shares her early days of acting and tending bar and always wanting to do new things + backpacking and worrying her poor parents + how South Asian parents give their children freedom while keeping them grounded (31:13)
• Rapid Fast Round: (38:11)
• Anjali’s Bucket List: (39:39)

Connect with Anjali:

• LinkedIn Profile
• Time Out

Let’s talk Connect:

• Instagram

This podcast is produced by Ginni Media.