Where I'm From

A sneak peek at an upcoming episode of the new audio drama anthology from Bill Meeks.

Meet the Special family, a theater-loving, stoner couple and their three very different kids. It’s 1994, and Michael and Jennifer Special are just trying to help fund in the arts in their community, but their son Ricky is on the run from a school bully, and their daughter Zara is betting everything on a plan to start the school year as a popular girl. With a mix of '90s nostalgia, sitcom homages, and a healthy dose of humor, "Welcome, Freshmen" will teach you the joys of scented oxygen, the perils of Crystal Pepsi, and why you should never trust a math teacher to do "creative accounting" for the arts. Equal parts funny, smart, and a little messed up, just like Everly Heights itself.

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CAST LIST

Bill Meeks - Ricky Special/Infomercial Announcer/Mr. Matheson
Sean Seigler - Michael Special
Kristyna Zahrek - Abby Special
Laurin Skarr - Zara Special
Kaushal Patel - Phillip "Sinnimon Slush" Simonson
Helena Geraci - Jennifer Special
Dallis MaxKenzie - Beatrix Knapp
Mandy McCullough - Rebbeca/Veronica
Howard F. Hulin - Ron Linus/Mayor Brown
Richard Reynolds - Jock, Oxygen Bar Attendant
Claire Forbes - Brenda, Beach Babe, Carrie Tart
Dan Pavatich - Nosloo the Great
Sean Weiland - Jerome Bentley, Surfer Dude

"How Can You Be Sure?" and "Zara Special's Mini-Musical Suite" performed by Classic Tragic Hero, written by Bill Meeks

LINKS

Everly Heights
Join the EVERLY HEIGHTS ARTS BOARD and support the show
Buy Mr. Matheson's Arithme-TIPS Comic Collection
Subscribe on YouTube

We’re going back to Canada to talk with actor Jarod Joseph (Once Upon A Time, The 100, The Christmas Checklist), as we dive into his upbringing in Calgary, Alberta. Jarod discusses why Calgary is the “Texas of Canada,” explains his problems in high school and how they sent him on a path to acting, and geeks out about good memories at the Calgary Stampede. Don’t worry, Oncers, we discuss his role of Billy the Mechanic/Gus Gus the Mouse on ABC’s Once Upon A Time too. PLUS: Jarod’s thoughts on Michael Keaton’s return to the role of Batman.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Jarod Joseph on IMDB
Jarod Joseph on Instagram

Geek out with Iyaz Akhtar, host of This Old Nerd/former host on TWiT.tv and CNET, as we dive into his upbringing in Queens. Discover how he developed his critical thinking skills at a Catholic school and how he became a tech enthusiast, including his love for the early days of the internet with CompuServe, America Online, and a healthy appriciation for Teri Hatcher's place in history. And let's not forget about his swerve into the tech world after studying to be a lawyer in Boston! This episode is packed with fascinating insights and Iyaz's infectious enthusiasm for all things tech.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
This Old Nerd
Finite Comedy
Iyaz on Twitter

Meet September McCrady, aka NineOf12, my former partner on the America’s Next Top Podcaster reality competition and co-creator of the original Where I’m From Pilot. We'll dive into September's unique upbringing in upstate New York. From art class with Mr. Raymond and exploring the woods, to memories of Lockport Mall, September shares what she loves about Lockport, Buffalo, and where she is now. Don't miss an in-depth interview with Where I’m From’s “mommy.” PLUS: Biking with The Talking Head’s David Byrne.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
September/Nineof12's Personal Site
America's Next Top Podcaster
Where I'm From Pilot
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
Lockport Mall
Runnings Sporting Goods
Lockport Cave Tours
La Nova, The Best Wings In Buffalo

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:16 The Where I'm From Pilot episode with Ali Spagnola
00:02:01 Lockport's Vibe
00:02:42 - Hanging Out In The Woods
00:05:40 - The KISS Army
00:06:14 - Playing Dungeons and Dragons
00:06:33 Growing Up Near Niagra Falls
00:07:03 - Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
00:07:25 - Burger King Pokemon Key Chains
00:07:33 - Love At The Candian Border
00:08:30 - Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
00:09:13 - Immigrating From Canada
00:10:29 - Clifton Hill
00:10:44 - Maid of The Mist
00:12:14 Mr. Raymond's Art Lessons at St. Mary's
00:13:36 - Man of La Mancha
00:14:26 - Getting Involved In Politics
00:16:04 - Working On A Political Campaign With David Byrne
00:19:05 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:22:18 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:24:01 Lockport Mall
00:25:10 - Runnings Sporting Goods
00:25:24 A Hunting Trip, Denied
00:31:40 Lockport Cave Tours
00:34:10 The Politics of New York State
00:35:48 Growing Up In The Snow
00:37:51 - September Can't Eat SpaghettiOs
00:38:34 From Lockport to Buffalo
00:39:57 - Studying Theater
00:41:06 - Ani Defranco At The Poetry Slam
00:42:45 A Shared Love of Karaoke
00:44:28 Looking Back At Lockport
00:46:28 The Best Wings In Buffalo
00:46:43 - La Nova
00:47:50 Outro

After my interview with Dino Ignacio blew up last week and became the most popular episode of Where I'm From by far, I thought new listeners would be interested in the other versions of the Bert Is Evil story I’ve told over the years. Dial up for even more internet nostalgia, coming up...

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Dino Ignacio
The Original Bert Is Evil Website
Bert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit by Bill Meeks
Old Wide Web Episode 1 -- The Muppets Take Bangladesh (Podcast)

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:23 Old Wide Web - The Muppets Take Bangladesh
00:17:18 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:19:20 Bert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit
00:42:54 Outro

Meet Dino Ignacio, the creator of the infamous 90s website Bert Is Evil. We'll dive into Dino's unique upbringing on the internet and recall the exciting early days of the World Wide Web. From connecting to CompuServe and exploring the BBS scene, to creating the first internet meme and winning a Webby Award, Dino takes us on a journey through the democratization of content. Don't miss this episode as we delve into the historical significance of the first meme with internet pioneer Dino Ignacio. PLUS: How Bert Is Evil influenced a conflict half a world away.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Dino Ignacio
The Original Bert Is Evil Website
Bert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit by Bill Meeks
Old Wide Web Episode 1 -- The Muppets Take Bangladesh (Podcast)
CompuServe
The CompuServe Comics and Animation Forum Awards
Geocities
Fark.com
FractalCow mirror
Mr. T Ate My Balls on The Old Wide Web
Braindom: We Can Defeat Brain Together
Internet Underground Magazine Archive
Webby Awards
Bert Is Evil on the Webby Awards site
Dino's Last Message on Bert Is Evil

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:14 Even Nerds Have Tech Problems
00:03:09 Clip from Internet Superstar with Martin Sargent
00:03:32 Dino on The Old Wide Web
00:05:07 Getting Online In Manila
00:05:59 - Growing Up Under Marshall Law
00:06:21 - Enter The World Wide Web
00:07:07- Connecting To CompuServe
00:09:44- The BBS Scene and Legends of the Red Dragon
00:10:15- The Compuserve Comics and Animation Forums
00:11:05 Why The Early Internet Was So Exciting
00:11:34 - Geocities
00:11:38 - Fark.com
00:11:44 - Rotten.com
00:12:09 FractalCow.com
00:12:48 - Zines and Poetry
00:13:25 - The Early Days Of Viral Content
00:15:44 - Mr. T Ate My Balls
00:16:08 Bert Is Evil
00:18:07 - Braindom: We Can Defeat Brain Together Tripod Site
00:19:40 - Bert Is Evil Goes Viral
00:20:09 - Internet Underground Magazine
00:20:18 - Winning A Webby Award
00:20:48 - The Muppets Take Bangladesh
00:23:55 - The 1998 Webby Awards
00:26:58 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:28:34 Bert Is Evil Part 2
00:28:40 - Sesame Street Reacts and The End of Bert Is Evil
00:30:19 - The Historical Significance of The First Internet Meme
00:31:28 - The Art of Bert Is Evil
00:32:54 Stable Diffusion and AI Art
00:39:29 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:45:37 The Democratization of Content
00:49:34 Outro

Join us once again as we delve into the life and career of actor and Upright Citizen's Brigade improvisor,  Dave Theune. This time, we discuss find out how his roles would be different where he's from in 'What If It Happened Here?'. We explore Dave's college years in Milwaukee, including the city's rich beer culture. From the Miller Brewery Tour to the Beer Barons Cemetery Tour, Dave shares his recommendations for the places to hit up when you're in town. He also shares his thoughts on the famous Von Trier and his memories of ComedySportz. Find out what led Dave to move to Los Angeles and how he got involved with the UCB Theater. Don't miss out on the exciting conclusion of our interview with Dave Theune.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Dave Theune
Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Groundlings
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Miller Brewery Tour
Beer Barons Cemetery Tour
Von Trier
ComedySportz Milwaukee
Eric Price
UCB Franklin
iO West
UCB Bangarang
UCB Town Meeting

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:49 What If It Happened Here?
00:01:09 - Good Girls
00:02:03 - The Big Bang Theory
00:02:58 - The Connors
00:03:10 - Santa Clarita Diet
00:04:54 -  Adam Ruins Everything
00:05:49 -  Teenage Mountain Lion / Early Days of Hulu
00:08:08 - NTSF:SD:SUV::
00:08:45 -- Robert Forster's Letter Opener
00:14:19 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:15:58 Milwaukee
00:16:08 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
00:18:05 Milwaukee Beer
00:18:58 - Miller Brewery Tour
00:19:23 - Beer Barons Cemetary Tour
00:21:11 - Von Trier
00:21:31 - Brewery Tour Recommendations
00:22:06 ComedySportz Milwaukee
00:28:14 Moving to Los Angeles
00:30:28 - Eric Price
00:30:51 - UCB Theater
00:31:06 - iO West (Improv Olympic)
00:33:28 - The 3 "A"s for Improv
00:43:03 Going Back Home
00:45:58 Outro
00:46:09 - Dave Earns A Tobolowky
00:47:07 - UCB Bangarang
00:47:10 - UCB Town Meeting 

Get ready for a wild ride with the one and only Dave Theune (Upright Citizen's Brigade improvisor, actor in shows like "I Am Not Okay With This" and the "Night Court" reboot)! Dave takes us back to his hometown of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin and shares memories of scrubbing the streets during the Holland Festival and his turn from sports kid to improvisor. From Cheboygan to the Northridge Mall, Dave dishes on everything he loves about Wisconsin. And let's not forget the main event - out brand new improv game, 'LOVE @ NIGHT with Bernie Love', is sure to have you in stitches. So, buckle up and join us for a chuckle-filled episode of 'Where I'm From' with comedic mastermind, Dave Theune. PLUS: What is Klompen dancing, anyway? Come back next week for Part 2!

Come back next week for Part 2!

"Bernie Love" played by Bill Meeks, based on his scripted "Love @ Night" sketch for America's Next Top Podcaster. AI voice model trained on the original "Bernie Love" Tripp Rogers.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Dave Theune
Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Groundlings
Belgium, Wisconsin
Cedar Grove Holland Festival
Klompen Dancing
Cedar Grove Memorial Park
Independence Park
Oliebollen Donuts
Worstenbroodjes
Sportsman's Bar & Grill
Mary’s Country Grove Restaurant
HET Museum
TeRonde House Museum
Milwaukee County Stadium
What Happened To Northridge Mall, And Why Is It Still There?
Milwaukee Public Museum
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Bronze Fonz
Maple Lanes Bowling Funplex
Landmark Lanes
Oriental Theater

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:52 Meeting At The Groundlings/Bill Holds The Team Back
00:03:27 Starting with Cedar Grove
00:03:40 A Sports Kid That Did Theater
00:04:45 -Belgium, Wisconsin
00:05:27 -The Ghost of Christmas Carols Past
00:06:17 Bye Bye Birdie
00:07:11 -Boomer Musicals
00:07:43 -Theater Kids
00:09:58 Cedar Grove Holland Festival
00:11:31 -Scrubbing The Streets
00:12:26 -The Burgermeister
00:13:07 -Klompen Dancing
00:13:32 Memorial and Independence Parks
00:13:47 -Festival Foods
00:13:55 --Oliebollen Doughnuts
00:13:57 --Worstenbroodjes
00:15:31 Call-Outs and Unburing The Bodies
00:16:04 Dave's Cousin Nate
00:17:54 Teachers Who Inspired (And Tolerated) Dave
00:20:33 A Call Back To Improv at The Groundlings
00:22:02 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:23:43 Things To Do In Cedar Grove
00:24:04 -Sportsman's Bar
00:24:12 -Mary’s Country Grove Restaurant
00:25:05 -Cheboygan!
00:25:23 -Dutch Museums
00:25:25 --Het Museum
00:25:32 --TeRonde House Museum
00:26:13 A Cedar Grove Resident's View of Milwaukee
00:26:31 -Milwaukee County Stadium
00:26:47 -Northridge Mall
00:27:47 -Milwaukee Public Museum
00:28:39 Moving To Milwaukee
00:28:50 -University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
00:31:55 The Tobolowsky Blunder
00:33:11 Love @ Night With Bernie Love
00:39:17 -The Bronze Fonz
00:40:50 -Maple Lanes in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
00:40:53 -Landmark Lanes in Milwaukee
00:41:05 Oriental Theater
00:41:39 Outro

As we welcome 2023, I’m offering up some of my favorite Where I’m From moments from 2022, gratis. Tune in for some delicious free samples from our first season including Stephen Tobolowsky, Kelly Vrooman, Paul Zaloom, Brian Brushwood, Ashley Verma, Jason Inmon, and more! It’s the Where I’m From Season 1 Sampler Platter, and you can totally take more than one...

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LINKS
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Where I'm From Episodes

E-mail [email protected] if you want to talk about where you're from.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:00 Ali Spagnola
00:05:52 Kelly Vrooman
00:13:03 Stephen Page
00:19:57 Ashley Verma
00:28:34 Jason Inmon
00:35:34 Stephen Tobolowsky
00:44:51 Strean Studio Ad Read
00:46:34 Kelly Rands/Santa Claus
00:56:26 Faith Benson Gun.io
01:03:25 Stephen Carroll
01:09:27 Paul Zaloom
01:13:10 Brian Brushwood
01:18:41 Rebecca Johnson 
01:26:34 Outro 

This week is a little different... I’m remembering and memorializing my longtime friend and musical collaborator Stephan Carroll from Wheeling, WV. I'll cover our history, from a high school computer class to an early YouTube hit with our band Classic Tragic Hero to all the great musical comedy we created for The Fakist. Stay tuned for a profile on a brilliant musician and a dear friend.

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LINKS
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Stephan Carroll
Classic Tragic Hero YouTube Channel
Classic Tragic Hero Albums
Greetings From Storybrooke on YouTube
The Fakist
Steve's YouTube Channel