Why Elvis Was Driven To Give & A Legacy Of Generosity with Sally A. Hoedel

Why Elvis Was Driven To Give & A Legacy Of Generosity with Sally A. Hoedel

Was Elvis Presley’s generosity as epic as his moves and his music? Author Sally A. Hoedel, says, yes! Sally, who joined us back on Episode 82, returns with her latest book, Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley. It’s the third installment in her acclaimed Destined series. Sally traces Elvis' big heart back to his childhood in Tupelo, where growing up in deep poverty taught him that survival was collaborative and it depended upon neighbors helping neighbors.  Elvis' primary goal was not to see his name in lights but to keep the lights on for his parents who had poured their efforts into enabling Elvis to stay in school and become the first member of their extended families to graduate from high school. We explore how Elvis' sudden rise to stardom and riches shaped his life, triggering what Sally calls "sudden wealth syndrome,” a sense of guilt and unworthiness that compelled him to flagrantly share his fortune.  Elvis’ range of charitable acts and deeds ranged from: surprising a widowed neighbor with a private performance, buying new wheelchairs for strangers, and including a teenaged onlooker in a motorcycle splurge for his entourage. Sally offers that giving wasn't something Elvis did, it was who he was. Elvis' insatiable need to share his riches created his posse, “The Memphis Mafia.” Childhood friends who were payed to be his bodyguards, traveling buddies and social circle. The arrangement stifled the development of everyone concerned and limited Elvis’ access to experienced show biz professionals which deepened the entrenchment of con-manager, Colonel Parker. Sally theorizes that, although his gift-giving was impulsive, under the thumb of Colonel Tom, it felt like the one part of his life he could control. Filled with fresh insight and memorable stories, this episode reveals the deeply human and vulnerable side of The King and tells the story of his compassion, his gratitude, and a lifelong desire to share his bounty with those who had provided it.  In media recommendations -- Documentary, Jim Thorpe Lit By Lightning streaming on multiple platforms Path Points of Interest: Sally A.  Hoedel [https://elvisauthor.com] Sally A. Hoedel Books [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sally-A.-Hoedel/author/B08V6SW4D8?r] Destined To Die Young [https://www.amazon.com/Destined-Die-Young-Elvis-Presley/dp/1733652655/] Destined To Give signed copy [https://elvisauthor.com/product/destined-to-give-signed-copy/] Sally A. Hoedel on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063219340242#] Sally A. Hoedel on Media Path Episode 82: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elvis-why-he-died-young-featuring-sally-hoedel/id1523737060?i=1000549995694] YouTube [https://youtu.be/zMPxw0sRgic] Jim Thorpe Lit By Lightning [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31557465/]

Working On The All-Time Greatest Sets & What Makes A Fandom? with Jim Beaver!

WARNING: THIS INTERVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR DEADWOOD (and almost for JUSTIFIED, but we caught ourselves!) How do you know you've found your calling? For Jim Beaver, it happened the instant he stepped onto a stage, before even speaking his first line.  Jim joins Weezy and Lisa to reflect on a career that's taken him from sitcoms to Supernatural to Shakespeare and Shakespearean Westerns to some of television's most beloved dramas with the most devoted fans. Jim looks back on his early work, including the network sitcom Thunder Alley with Ed Asner, before discussing the role that became a career-defining institution: Whitney Ellsworth on Deadwood.  Fans of the show won't be surprised to learn that the cast knew they were creating something extraordinary. Jim recalls the emotional experience of learning his character's fate and filming Ellsworth's heart wrenching exit, which quickly led to another collaboration with David Milch on John from Cincinnati. The conversation turns to Supernatural, where Jim's portrayal of Bobby Singer became fertile fan favorite fodder. He explores how the show’s strongest moments had less to do with monster hunting and more to do with characters and relationships. Do you remember an episode called “Weekend at Bobby’s?” Jim shares the exhaustion of carrying the lead and the pride of starring in Jensen Ackles’ directorial debut!   Why are two of Jim’s most beloved characters, on Supernatural and on The Boys, named some version of Robert Singer? It’s an inside joke by creator Eric Kripke, at the expense of his friend, Director Bob Singer. Jim also shares memorable experiences working alongside Timothy Olyphant on Justified, Bryan Cranston on Breaking Bad, and Jonathan Banks on Better Call Saul, and we delve into The Boys’ metaphor which mirrors our current political landscape. Plus, IMDb Roulette is full of gems, from singing nuns to Third Rock From the Sun! Also, we are recommending The Prime series Sterling Point and our own Lisa Arch's appearance on the finale of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness Path Points of Interest: Jim Beaver on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Beaver] Jim Beaver on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0064769/?_ssoLoop=1] Jim Beaver on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044184952088] Jim Beaver on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jumblejimstagram] Jim Beaver on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/jumblejim.bsky.social] Life's That Way by Jim Beaver [https://www.amazon.com/Lifes-That-Way-Jim-Beaver-ebook/dp/B001V6P160] Deadwood [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/deadwood/065d80dc-68c4-4770-8f7b-00279f91c6da] Supernatural [https://www.warnerbros.com/tv/supernatural] Justified [https://www.hulu.com/series/justified-2faf68df-e153-4e47-b117-a048427b250f] The Boys [https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0S1FYJ3LY9KTL9C7WFFAGA9F6F] Sterling Point [https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0K94N2UBORZCLPIC46VTJQ093E] Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness/8988709f-f7c0-4c2d-ba85-c57d360eefd4]

The Center Of The 60s Revolution & Finding Yourself Backstage with Pamela Des Barres

She could not simply listen to the soundtrack of the 60s. She had to find a way inside of it… or, at least backstage. She is Glorious Groupie Goddess, Pamela Des Barres and she joins Weezy and Lisa for a captivating conversation about love, music and the cultural revolution that forever changed us all. Pamela reflects on coming of age as the buttoned-up 50s gave way to the clothing optional 60s, when rock music moved minds, stirred loins and invited adventure. Her “Meet The Beatles” album was not just a revelation. Pamela read it as an instruction. At 14, she and her Beatle besotted besties made their way into the hills of Bel Air, spotted a kid on a bike who looked like he lived there. He did. He was Jerry Lewis’s son, Ronnie, and he let the girls into his backyard where they crawled through the Beatles-mansion-adjacent bushes and remained there all night until they were picked up, in the morning, not by the Beatles, but by the cops. By age 18, Pamela’s tactics had blossomed into: 1) Look cute. 2) Be legally of age. 3) Knock on the stage door. Her subsequent friendships and romances with rock superstars are chronicled in her groundbreaking memoir, I’m With The Band. Here, Pamela reveals remarkable details about her relationships with Keith Moon, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Gram Parsons, Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison and the legends of Laurel Canyon. Frank Zappa was so taken by the music muses that he fashioned Pamela and her fellow fangirls into a dance troupe called GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously). They set the dance tone at The Whiskey and The Shrine, eventually recording their own album!  Today, Pamela continues to inspire new generations through her women's writing workshops, rock-and-roll tours, one-woman shows, and live events.  She also hints at her next book, 'Sex, God and Rock 'n' Roll', revealing how a lifelong interest in spirituality has paralelled her passion for music. Plus, we challenge Pamela with a round of Rock Star Boyfriend Trivia! In media recommendations -- Lisa: Lifestyle influencer Stephanie Joplin, @betterwithchardonnay Weezy: The series, A Woman Of Substance on Britbox Path Points of Interest: Pamela Des Barres [https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com] Books by Pamela Des Barres [https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com/pdb-books] Pamela Des Barres on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Des_Barres] Pamela Des Barres on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/pameladesbarres/] Pamela Des Barres on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pameladesbarres/?hl=en] I'm With The Band by Pamela Des Barres [https://www.amazon.com/Im-Band-Confessions-Pamela-Barres/dp/1556525893] Stephanie Joplin [https://www.instagram.com/betterwithchardonnay/] A Woman Of Substance  [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35060339/] Media Path [https://mediapathpodcast.com] Media Path on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MediaPathPodcast] Media Path on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mediapathpod/] Media Path on X [https://x.com/mediapathpod] Lisa's Upcoming Comedy Dates at Flappers [https://flapperscomedy.com]

The Most Versatile Man In Show Business & Embracing The Unknown with Michael Kostroff!

How do you go from voicing a beaver in a sleep med commercial to portraying TV’s most amoral attorney on its most iconic crime drama?!  For actor, author, and teacher Michael Kostroff, the answer is: embrace the unexpected. Best known as cunning defense lawyer Maurice Levy on HBO's The Wire, Michael joins Weezy this week to reflect on a career that has taken him from television dramas and Broadway musicals to films, teen comedies, sitcoms and commercials. You will currently find him on the MGM+/Prime Marvel superhero series (available in both color and black & white!) Spider-Noir with Nicolas Cage, as New York City's mayor and he's also just wrapped up his first Broadway run as the bank manager in Dog Day Afternoon. Along the way, he shares behind-the-scenes stories from the national tour of The Producers (where lightning-fast costume changes and a grueling schedule collided with back and forth flights to film The Wire). Michael’s career then took him to The Plot Against America, The Wizard of Lies (with Robert De Niro!) and The Blacklist. Michael shares his thoughts on The Wire’s rarified role as a television landmark, why its richly layered characters continue to resonate, and whether he minds being typecast. He also talks about his four books, including Letters from Backstage, which grew out of emails that unexpectedly found a massive audience, and The Stage Actor's Handbook, born from his desire to provide aspiring actors with the practical guidance missing from their theater education.  Michael opens up about the life-saving community he found in theater and the salve it offered for his unhappy childhood. We peek at his viral apartment tour video, revealing the unglamorous truth behind the doors of a working actor. We get schooled on the perils of backstage "showmances," and we learn why, after decades of surprising turns, he's still excited to see where the next one leads. This is a warm, funny, and inspiring conversation with an actor whose career proves that the most rewarding paths are often the least predictable. In current media--  Weezy: The American Experiment and Little House on the Prairie on Netflix Producer Dina: AMC/AMC+ Series Dark Winds, streaming on Netflix Path Points of Interest: Michael Kostroff [https://www.michaelkostroff.com/] Michael Kostroff on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kostroff] Michael Kostroff on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0467512/] Michael Kostroff on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michael_kostroff/?hl=en] Michael Kostroff on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/therealkostroff] Michael Kostroff on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@ShowWagon] Apartment Tour [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQRDQ08w-Uw] Books by Michael Kostroff [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-Kostroff/author/B001K8CCUM?] The Stage Actor's Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional [https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Actors-Handbook-Traditions-Professional-ebook/dp/B0B3R3CSQ7/] By Michael Kostroff and Julie Garnyé [https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Actors-Handbook-Traditions-Professional-ebook/dp/B0B3R3CSQ7/] Letters From Backstage [https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Backstage-Adventures-Touring-Stage-ebook/dp/B0074Q1XH2/] The American Experiment [https://www.netflix.com/title/81930567] Little House On The Prairie [https://www.netflix.com/title/81748089] Dark Winds [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15017118/]

Mentorship At Today's SAG-AFTRA & Lessons From A Guest Spot Queen

If you had nearly 300 screen credits, would you spend your free time mentoring new SAG-AFTRA members and helping fellow performers navigate a rapidly changing industry?? If your hand went up, you may be this week’s guest, Lee Garlington! Lee joins Weezy and Lisa to discuss the unique, "hired gun" craft of popping into iconic shows with scene stealing roles and becoming what she calls "a director's actor."  You had yet to learn her name when you saw her as Joey’s father’s mistress in Friends, as Bobby Cannavale’s mother in Will & Grace, as Betty White’s daughter on The Golden Girls and as Darlene’s friend on Roseanne. You will know it now! Lee takes us behind the scenes on Psycho II and III, The West Wing, Sneakers, Six Feet Under and Seinfeld and shares harrowing axe-related stories from A Killing in a Small Town. She offers candid advice for aspiring actors, tells us about her work with the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory and discusses the realities of longevity in Hollywood, and her work with the Ruskin Group Theatre. Plus, an entertaining round of IMDb Roulette uncovers the horrors of sitting for a death mask fitting, why she ever so gently adjusted the placement of Robert Redford and how her performance went next level when Amy Madigan called her a nazi! This is a fascinating conversation about resilience, professionalism, and a lifelong love of the craft. And in current media, Weezy and Lisa talk about Is This Thing On and additional films that explore the standup comedy experience. Path Points of Interest: Lee Garlington [https://leegarlingtontheactress.com/] Lee Garlington on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Garlington] Lee Garlington on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307600/] Lee Garlington on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/imleegarlington/?hl=en] SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory [https://www.sagaftra.org/los-angeles/local-programs/los-angeles-conservatory] Ruskin Group Theatre [https://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com/] Great Movies About Stand-Up [https://www.imdb.com/list/ls074381035/] Is This Thing On? [https://www.hulu.com/movie/is-this-thing-on-1e446703-7e1a-4771-a9c1-29522039eb54]