Mark Roman Empire (also a podcast)

Mark interviews stage, screen & voice actor Laurie Burke, the "Original Voice of Google Voice". Laurie and Mark converse about meeting on set and San Francisco and her multi-faceted acting career. You've seen Laurie play Sheriff Laura Stevens in the Rosario Dawson based web series "The North Pole" as well as lawyer Alice Kaye opposite Hugh Laurie in "Chance". Laurie has been an On-Air TV and web Host for Common Sense Media for nearly a decade. Mark discusses the previous and upcoming hiatus. (Expect the next episode in September.) Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday in London, UK.

Mark interviews a friend and fellow busker: the actor, comedian & spokesperson Elliott Branch. See or hear Elliott and one can't help but notice he's a Samuel L. Jackson impersonator. You've seen him at the Laugh Factory Hollywood and in the film shorts "Anger Anonymous" (as Jules Winnfield) and "Deadpool the Musical 2 - Ultimate Disney Parody" (as Nick Fury). Elliott talks Detroit, Hollywood, how stand-up led to his GM gig, being Sam, meeting Sam, his Mace Windu (Star Wars) possibilities and what it's like holding a fake gun as an iconic Pulp Fiction character ... while black. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews stand-up comedian, writer and actress Madison Shepard. Madison has opened for Maria Bamford and plays Jack on “Empty Space” (now streaming on Amazon Prime). She created two short cartoons for Comedy Central Digital’s “Saturday Morning-ish Cartoons”. And she produced and starred in the sketch show "Smile, Baby" which tackled catcalling at The Hollywood Fringe Festival with The Others Theater Company, winning Madison an Encore Producer's Award. Mark first met Madison moments before this interview. Mark steps in it during the interview. But did he learn anything? Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews comedian, actor, writer & VO artist Granison Crawford, as seen at The Comedy Store, Flappers & in March on Amazon: Laugh After Dark. Granison won 1st place in Last Comic Standing at the Haha Comedy Club and won "Funniest Comic in LA 2017" at the Ice House Comedy Club (Golden Artist Entertainment). You may have seen Granison on your screen in Diaries of a Door Guy, CSU Crimestoppers Unit & Keeping the Peace. Like Mark, Granison is from Northern California. Mark first met Granison moments before this interview. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews actor, host & foodie Adrian Bustamante. You've seen him on Lethal Weapon, Jane the Virgin and The Newsroom. Look for him in future episodes of Bosch & This Is Us. But Mark knows Adrian from their early acting days in the San Francisco Bay Area. They also share a previous industry and gratitude for The Big Short. All this discussed, plus Mark cherry picks Adrian's ample acting credits ... without even addressing his impressive commercial credits. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.