Rob Kutner & Marlene Sharp talk Netflix is a Joke Fest, Hollywood Bowl & Autism Representation

Judah Edwards

What does it take to step into the shoes of a Jackson? Actor Judah Edwards opens up about his role as young Tito Jackson in the record-breaking blockbuster biopic Michael. From the audition process and character preparation -- to the pressure of portraying a real-life figure connected to one of the most legendary families in music history -- Judah shares the story behind the performance. We also talk about the lessons he's learned as a young actor, memorable moments from set and what this career-defining opportunity means for his future. We dive into Judah's most embarrassing moment on set, his relationship icks and irrational fears as well as his experience balancing high school while filming one of the most popular movies worldwide right now. It's a thoughtful, fun and inspiring conversation with one of Hollywood's rising talents. It's one you won't want to miss.

Nick Alvarez

From Nickelodeon child actor to playing Mark on The Chosen TV Series, Nick Alvarez shares the highs, struggles and faith journey that shaped who he is today. Recorded together on set, this conversation dives into Hollywood, identity, redemption and the moments that changed everything. Nick is also known for his roles in Young Sheldon, S.W.A.T., General Hospital, NCIS, The Goldbergs and Bella & The Bulldogs.

Rob Kutner & Marlene Sharp talk Netflix is a Joke Fest, Hollywood Bowl & Autism Representation

Comedy. Hollywood. Neurodiversity. Culture. Five-time Emmy-winning writer Rob Kutner and Marlene Sharp join Off the Record to talk about the evolving conversation around representation in entertainment. From Laughs on the Spectrum and Netflix Is A Joke to Night of Too Many Stars at the Hollywood Bowl, we dive into creating spaces where neurodivergent voices are not only included — but celebrated. Rob also shares stories from writing for Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Daily Show, discusses his children’s series God’s Gang, and opens up about his latest book release. A funny, insightful, and surprisingly deep conversation you won’t want to miss.

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.