Chachi Loves Everybody

Ep. 83 Dana Cortez

EPISODE SUMMARY: Gracie award-winning radio host Dana Cortez shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Big Spring, Texas, to becoming the first Latina to lead a nationally syndicated radio show. Her story highlights perseverance, authenticity, and how real-life experiences fuel her success and led her. Plus, insights into her multi-platform presence and charity work.   On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Dana Cortez about:   1. Growing up in Big Spring, Texas, and how early adversity forming the foundation of her honest and relatable on-air style 2. Carving her own path through smaller markets and her breakthrough moment at KMRK in Odessa, Texas 3. Becoming the first Latina to lead a nationally syndicated multicast radio show in the US 4. The day-to-day behind the scenes of her show, and how they blend pop culture, relationships, and real talk, built on authenticity  5. The Pivotal mentorship of John Candelaria, who pushed her into mornings, perceived as a male-dominated space 6. The importance of social media presence, strategic content batching, and embracing digital platforms 7. Balancing on-air work with podcasting and charity involvement, and how her personal life intertwines with her professional journey 8. Winning a Gracie award and the impact of industry recognition 9. Her significant involvement in charities including St. Jude’s and CASA, and her commitment to community and helping foster children And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Dana Cortez is a nationally syndicated radio host who shatters the glass when it comes to an industry where diverse female voices struggle to be heard and where women rarely occupy the lead role in a multi-cast show. A second generation Mexican American, Cortez grew up in poverty in West Texas and brings her experience and the perspective of many disenfranchised Americans to her show every day. On the Dana Cortez Show she “creates a room of her own,” using the airwaves to elevate topics of importance and interest often lost in the 24-hour news cycle. Cortez speaks to the female Latino experience in America and to her broader audience, she’s insightful on topics of relationships and pop culture. She has a nuanced way about her interviews with celebrities that allows them to feel comfortable and creates a more genuine conversation. She shares her show with her husband and executive producer DJ Automatic, and comedian Anthony A.   ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio [http://instagram.com/benztownradio] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ep. 82 Mo Rocca

EPISODE SUMMARY: Humorist, journalist, and actor Mo Rocca shares his inspiring journey through broadcasting, emphasizing the importance of following your passions and cultivating a genuine voice. Discover how his diverse experiences, from children's TV to hosting national programs, shaped his unique perspective in media, journalism, and comedy. On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi interviews Mo Rocca about: 1. Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland and the influence of The World Book Encyclopedia on his curiosity 2. The importance of pursuing niche interests and becoming an expert in your passion 3. How early media experiences shaped Rocca's storytelling and comedy skills, including his work on Wishbone 4. The role of authenticity and personality in building a distinctive voice on television 5. Lessons learned from iconic shows and hosts, including John Stewart and Larry King 6. The significance of storytelling and curiosity in journalism and broadcasting 7. His creative process and the value of keeping personal projects alive 8. Advice for young creatives navigating the evolving media industry surrounded by AI and technological changes 9. The power of experimentation and collaboration in producing impactful content 10. How personal experiences, like family and historical interests, influence professional work 11. The importance of maintaining a personal space for creativity and growth And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Mo Rocca is an award-winning correspondent for "CBS News Sunday Morning," the top-rated Sunday morning news program. He joined the broadcast as a contributor in 2006. For "CBS News Sunday Morning," Rocca has explored a broad range of subjects, from the life of St. Francis of Assisi to the death of singer Bobby Darin. He's profiled public figures from "Police Woman" star Angie Dickinson to Tony winner Cole Escola to hockey legend Bobby Orr. Rocca frequently tells stories about American history, with a penchant for former and often-forgotten presidents, usually from the 19th century. Other pieces include the history of the pencil, the origin of the Automat, and the story of the Astrodome. To mark the country's 250th birthday, he's been a chief contributor to the show's "These United States" segments. In addition to his work at CBS News, Rocca is also a frequent panelist on NPR's weekly quiz show "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" Rocca is host and creator of the hit podcast "Mobituaries" and co-author with Jonathan Greenberg of the New York Times bestselling books "Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving" and "Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs." Rocca is also the author of "All the Presidents' Pets," a historical thriller about White House pets and their surprising role in presidential decision-making. Previously, Rocca hosted the CBS series "The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation." Earlier, Rocca created and hosted Cooking Channel's "My Grandmother's Ravioli," in which he learned to cook from grandmothers and grandfathers across the country. Rocca has guest-starred on the primetime series "Elsbeth, "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight," as well as on the CBS daytime series "The Young and the Restless" in the role of Milton the accountant. Rocca began his career in TV as a writer and producer for the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning PBS children's series "Wishbone." He went on to write for other kids' series, including ABC's "Pepper Ann" and Nickelodeon's "The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss." He made his on-camera debut as a correspondent on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," where he spent four seasons, a period that included its breakout "Indecision 2000" coverage. Rocca won a Primetime Emmy as a writer for the 64th annual Tony Awards in 2010, and he earned Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on "CBS News Sunday Morning" and "The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation." And he finished second in the 2024 "Celebrity Jeopardy!" tournament, winning $250,000 for charity. Outside of television, Rocca starred on Broadway in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Other stage credits include "South Pacific" at Paper Mill Playhouse and the role of Doody in the Southeast Asian Tour of "Grease." Rocca is a graduate of Harvard University. He lives in New York.   ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio [http://instagram.com/benztownradio] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ep. 81 American Afterlife

EPISODE SUMMARY: Chachi interviews the team behind Apple’s #1 fiction podcast "American Afterlife," actress Scarlett Estevez, author Pedro Hoffmeister, and producer/director Bill Stuart, about adapting a novel into an audio drama. Hear concrete takeaways on casting, script adaptation, sound and production choices, and tips for writers, actors, and producers turning prose into immersive audio storytelling. On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to the American Afterlife team about: 1. Pedro Hoffmeister’s inspirations for writing the novel American Afterlife and how he based the survival story on his own experiences 2. How Chachi and Bill Stuart developed the novel into a podcast 3. How Scarlett began acting and what she brings to the lead character of Cielo 4. Pedro’s journey from homelessness, expulsion, and incarceration to becoming an award-winning novelist 5. Bill’s perspective on developing and producing films like The Rock, and the similarities and differences with creating a podcast 6. How Scarlett balances school, being an influencer, and her acting career 7. The collaborative nature of creativity and how the team came together to create the audio drama 8. The art of audio storytelling and how the world was created through the soundscape of American Afterlife 9. The impact of AI on creative industries And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUESTS: Scarlett Estevez was born in Los Angeles, California, and from a young age she displayed a knack for the performing arts. Scarlett booked her first national commercial at age 3 and has appeared in more than 25 national commercials. Her first film role was in a short film for the "Make-A-Film Foundation" called The Magic Bracelet. The cast included James Van Der Beek, Hailee Steinfeld, Jackson Rathbone, J.K Simmons, and Bailee Madison. She went on to shoot her first feature film And Then There Was You, staring Garcelle Beauvais. Scarlett co-starred in the pilot Redeeming Dave, which was written by Dominic Russo (Workaholics). She co-starred on the Nickelodeon Web series Junior Eye. She was a supporting lead in the films Daddy's Home (2015) and Daddy's Home 2 (2017), playing the daughter of Mark Wahlberg and Linda Cardellini's character and stepdaughter of Will Ferrell's character. She went on to play Trixie on the television series Lucifer from 2016 to 2021, and Gwen on the fourth season of the Disney Channel television series Bunk'd in 2019. She starred as Violet Rodriguez / Ultra Violet in the Disney Channel series Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion in 2022.    Bill Stuart is a legendary film producer with decades at the highest levels of the industry with credits across Fox, MGM, and Columbia. He was the executive producer of The Rock with Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery.    Pedro Hoffmeister is an American author, poet, and rock climber. His books include American Afterlife Too Shattered For Mending, This Is The Part Where You Laugh, The End of Boys, Let Them Be Eaten By Bears – A Fearless Guide To Taking Our Kids into The Great Outdoors, Graphic the Valley, and Confessions of the Last Man On Earth Without A Cell Phone. He has also written for Climbing Magazine, Rock and Ice, Vice, Climbing.com, Gripped Magazine, Ampheta'Zine, and the Huffington Post. He was a 2006 recipient of the Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship for Fiction. He has worked as a rock climbing and whitewater rafting guide, and currently teaches literature, outdoor pursuits, and survival in Eugene, Oregon.   LINKS:  Listen to American Afterlife https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-afterlife/id1833063666 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-afterlife/id1833063666] https://open.spotify.com/show/2bKU2wfj4DXnHJ5z1GzERd [https://open.spotify.com/show/2bKU2wfj4DXnHJ5z1GzERd] ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio [http://instagram.com/benztownradio] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ep. 80 Adam Taylor

EPISODE SUMMARY: Adam Taylor, President and CEO of APM Music, shares his non-linear career path from chemist and perfumer to producing landmark TV for Lifetime and PBS, co-founding a direct marketing enterprise, and becoming the driving force behind APM Music. He explains how he champions composers, shapes production-music strategy, and builds longevity in media. Expect behind-the-scenes TV stories, leadership lessons for broadcasters and creatives, and actionable career takeaways. On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Adam about: 1. Becoming the head of his family business, Caswell-Massey, and its legacy as the oldest chemist and perfumer in America 2. What he learned about marketing top-shelf intellectual property 3. His pivot into the entertainment industry and how he started Goldman Taylor, producing movies and TV 4. Working with scientists to market their ideas as the founder of Taylor Fox 5. Getting hired as the head of APM, how he modernized the company, and what a day in his life is like  6. The impact of AI on the world of production music and his vision for the future 7. Chairing the Production Music Association and how he creates community, educates, and advocates for the production music industry 8. How he gives back through community engagement and philanthropy 9. His advice for aspiring composers And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: With over three decades of experience in the music and intellectual property sectors, Adam Taylor has been instrumental in helping companies, organizations, and individuals harness the value of their copyrights, trademarks, and patents.   For the past twenty-two years, he has led APM Music, the world’s premier production music company, renowned for delivering high-quality scores, themes, and background music across various media platforms. Since its inception in 1983, APM has provided an extensive catalog that spans genres from contemporary urban and rock to classical and archival recordings, shaping the soundtracks of countless TV shows, films, commercials, and video games.   Before his tenure at APM Music, Adam co-founded Taylor/Fox Enterprises, collaborating with innovators to market unique, patent-protected inventions. He also played a key role as a co-founding partner at Goldman/Taylor Entertainment, where he developed significant television properties, including the Lifetime series “Confessions of Crime” and the acclaimed PBS series “Joseph Campbell – Mythos,” featuring Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon.   Adam’s career began at Caswell-Massey, the oldest chemists and perfumers in the U.S., where he served as President/CEO for a decade.   In addition to his leadership in the music industry, Adam is dedicated to humanitarian efforts. He serves on the Board of Advisors for IsraAid, focusing on crisis response and community recovery, and is involved with the Council of Advisors for the Zelikow School for Jewish Non-Profit Management and the Advisory Board of Creative Community for Peace. His commitment to both the arts and social impact underscores his influential role in today’s cultural landscape.   LINKS:  Brightlight Kenya https://www.brightlightkenya.org/ [https://www.brightlightkenya.org/]   Tomfoolery SpongeBob Remix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qXVIbs4CR0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qXVIbs4CR0]   Sosh and Mosh https://www.instagram.com/soshmosh?igsh=MWF1OGl6cGQ3ZmdrYw== [https://www.instagram.com/soshmosh?igsh=MWF1OGl6cGQ3ZmdrYw==]   Groove Factory https://www.groovefactory.group/ [https://www.groovefactory.group/]   Somebody Call Sean Penn https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sean-penn-battle-jacob-ostreicher-bolivia-prison.html [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sean-penn-battle-jacob-ostreicher-bolivia-prison.html] ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com [http://benztown.com] Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio [http://instagram.com/benztownradio] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Chachi Loves Everybody

Chachi Loves Everybody is a feel-good, big-conversation podcast about the people who shape our world and the stories that shape them. From radio to music, leadership to life lessons, Chachi brings curiosity, energy, and genuine connection to every conversation. No ego. No gotchas. Just real talk with people doing interesting things. Because at the end of the day… Chachi really does love everybody. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.