off the record

Zachary James on Opera, the Art of Playing Villains, the Hollywood Bowl & Akhnaten

Grammy Award-winning opera singer Zachary James returns to Off the Record for a fascinating conversation about opera, artistry, villain psychology and some of the biggest performances of his career. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Zachary has taken the stage in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo, reprised his Grammy-winning work in Akhnaten and brought one of musical theatre’s most complex villains to life in The Hunchback of Notre Dame in London. In this episode, Zachary shares behind-the-scenes stories from those productions, reflects on the importance of preserving opera for future generations and addresses some of the biggest misconceptions people still have about the art form. We also dive deep into his creative process for playing darker characters, why audiences are so drawn to villains and how he emotionally and psychologically prepares for those roles. Thoughtful, funny, theatrical and deeply insightful, this conversation explores what it really means to dedicate your life to performance and storytelling.

Steven Smith on Artemis II, Knowing the Astronauts and Why it Matters

Artemis II recently made history, sending humans around the Moon and bringing them safely back home -- for the first time in 50 years. So Off the Record brings on Steven Smith -- from Space Center Houston (affiliated with NASA) to break down what this means for us and why it's such an important mission. Steven is the Leadership Programs Facilitation Specialist at Space Center Houston’s Human Performance Accelerator Lab. A 12-year U.S. Navy and Air Force veteran, former educator, and NASA alumnus, Steven brings more than three decades of experience in leadership, human performance, and education. During his tenure at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, he helped inspire up to 150,000 educators and students annually through innovative, mission-driven programs. He holds degrees in paralegal studies, neuropsychology, art, education, infrastructure planning and management, and is completing his doctorate in public health education and organizational leadership. A health and fitness trainer with multiple certifications across a spectrum of human performance, Steven blends NASA’s principles of teamwork, resilience, and adaptability to help leaders achieve peak performance here on Earth. In this episode, we bridge the gap between NASA and the public by breaking down this massive mission to a human level. But this episode isn’t just about space. It’s about the kind of story you don’t expect to hear from someone working this close to NASA. Today’s guest went from living out of his car… to working alongside one of the biggest space programs in the world. He’s battled loss, tough lessons and even cancer—and somehow turned all of it into purpose. And he shares some amazing inside stories about the astronauts from Artemis II.

Adan Correa

You've seen him on the Netflix hit series Love on the Spectrum. In Part 2 of this special conversation, Bella sits down one-on-one with Adan Correa for a deeper, more personal look at him beyond the screen. Adan opens up about the role his faith plays in his life, the challenges that have shaped him and the defining moments that tested his strength—including a powerful story about overcoming bullying and finding his voice. He also shares new insight into his past relationship with Dani, offering a thoughtful and honest perspective on their connection, what he learned from it and how he’s grown since—touching on parts of his experience that haven’t been widely discussed before—including how the break-up scene went down. This episode goes beyond what viewers saw on screen, diving into resilience, self-worth and what it truly means to stay grounded in who you are.

Inside 'Laughs on the Spectrum' with Love on the Spectrum Cast Members

You've seen them on the hit Netflix series Love on the Spectrum, now what's next? In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Bella sits down with Adan Correa and Caroline Corry from Love on the Spectrum, alongside Marlene Sharp and Rob Kutner, the team behind Laughs on the Spectrum—a one-of-a-kind comedy show featured in the Netflix Is A Joke Fest, taking place at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood on May 4 at 5:30 PM. Together, they dive into the heart behind the event, the importance of creating space for neurodivergent voices in entertainment and what makes this show so special. Adan and Caroline also share their experiences on Love on the Spectrum, how their lives have evolved since the show, and their passion for acting, performing and making people laugh. This episode is equal parts fun, meaningful, and inspiring—highlighting the power of representation, storytelling and community. Be sure to tune in to Part 2 for a deeper, one-on-one conversation with Adan, where he opens up even more about his journey, relationships and what's ahead for him.

Jordan Ross

Jordan Ross is an actor known for his work on the globally acclaimed series The Chosen, where he brings depth and authenticity to every role he steps into. Coming from a family with deep roots in storytelling—his grandfather being beloved actor Barry Corbin, known to many as Coach Whitey on One Tree Hill—Jordan has carved out a path that is uniquely his own. Born with a physical condition that has shaped both his perspective and his resilience, Jordan brings a powerful sense of purpose to his craft. His journey into acting is marked not only by talent, but by a commitment to telling meaningful stories that resonate on a human level. In this episode, Jordan opens up about his path into the industry, the challenges and growth that have defined him -- including near-death moments -- and how those experiences have influenced the kinds of stories he feels called to tell today. From spilling some some crazy embarrassing moments to opening up about how he's branching out in the creative realm, you'll love this episode!