Let's Talk with Brian Bielanski

My guest on episode 38 of "Let's Talk" is Brittany Wagner -- she was featured on the Netflix docu-series -- Last Chance U, which followed top-ranked junior college football team, East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) She was the Lions athletic academic counselor Brittany helped student athletes move beyond personal failure to find success and prepare themselves for life beyond the gridiron. That success led to her new book, "Next Chance You: Tools, Tips, and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life". Get the book here --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Our guest this week is William Jack Sibley author of "Here We Go Loop De Loop" -- Sibley is a fifth generation Texas rancher, an award-winning author and a versatile writer whose work has spanned from the likes of writing dialogue for television's Guiding Light to serving as a contributing editor at Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine, to seeing his plays produced off-Broadway and regionally. Sibley is the author of a dozen screenplays, nine stage plays, and three novels (Any Kind of Luck, Sighs Too Deep For Words, and Here We Go Loop De Loop). Sibley's previous works have won the National Indie Excellence Book Award and USA Best Book Award while succeeding as a finalist in the Lambda Literary Award, Foreword Reviews Book of the Year, and more. Sibley currently is the Secretary of the Texas Institute of Letters, as well as a member of The Dramatist Guild and the Writers Guild of America. He lives in San Antonio. Get his books here "Here We Go Loop De Loop" "Any Kind of Luck" "Sighs Too Deep For Words" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

My guest on Episode 36 of Let's Talk is Harry Guggenheim biographer Dirk Smillie -- He's written "The Business of Tomorrow: The Visionary Life of Harry Guggenheim: From Aviation and Rocketry to the Creation of an Art Dynasty" It's an amazing look at a man who was instrumental in some of the remarkable technological achievements of the last 75 years. A member a family with a prolific history in the art world... Harry Guggenheim is the Guggenheim most haven't heard about but maybe should have. It's a great conversation you won't want to miss. Get the book here. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

My guest on episode 35 of Let's Talk is Arthur Swan -- a Los Angeles-based award-winning novelist and Character Supervisor for Dreamworks (he's contributed to films like A Beautiful Mind and How to Train Your Dragon). His latest horror/thriller novel, is The Encanto: Book One of the L.A. Fog series (October 2021, Swanfall). We talk about his new book, his work at Dreamworks, and his work a non-profit "Young Storytellers. Young Storytellers - https://www.youngstorytellers.com/ The Encanto: Book One of the L.A. Fog series - https://amzn.to/3bwk9sI --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Our guest on episode 34 of "Let's Talk" is Dr. Hicham Bou Nassif… he's a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College and an expert in Middle East Politics. He's written two books - Endgames: Military Response to Protest in Arab Autocracies and The Oxford Handbook of Civil-Military Relations. Dr. Nassif is a native of Lebanon and he's worked as a reporter for Agency France Press and the Lebonese Broadcasting Corporation We discuss the devolving situation in Lebanon, a country on the brink of a political and humanitarian crisis. What are the causes? What are the conditions on the ground? Who are the players? What can be done. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Our guest on Episode 33 of Let's Talk is Occidental College professor Dr. Caroline Heldman. We talked about the political landscape that we are living in today. We look ahead to the midterm elections and the 2024 presidential race. This podcast was recorded on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Terror Attacks. Dr. Heldman and I were both in New York City that day. We talked about her experience on that tragic day. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

There's a big supply chain problem in the US. Dozens of ships are parked off the west coast waiting to offload their cargo and get products to the American people. Why is there a traffic jam and what can be done to fix it? On Episode 32... I talk with transportation expert and "Transport Topics" radio host Dan Ronan. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On episode 31 of Let's Talk we chat with Loyola Marymount Professor Dr. Michael Genovese about the state of America's political landscape. This episode was recorded on 9/11/2021 -- we open with a discussion about the world today -- 20 years after those devastating terror attacks. From there we talk about the current political climate and how we got here, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the first six months of the Biden Administration and where do things go from here. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Episode 30 of the Let's Talk Podcast is a deep dive into the California Recall on the weekend before the final vote. I talk with a pane of expert guests. Dr. Caroline Heldman from Occidental College, Dr. Jack Pitney from Claremont McKenna College, Dr. Michael Genovese from Loyola Marymount University, and veteran political reporter Dave Bryan. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

In Episode 29 I talk with financial expert and social media guru Warner Trejo. Warner hosts the STAY IN THE BIG podcast -- a podcast created to provide a platform and a community of leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs and all other walks of life just seeking to bring value and also share their personal stories. Podcast on Spotify - Stay in the Big @warnertrejo on Instagram --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk -- I talk with scientist, explorer, TV host, and former political candidate Jess Phoenix. She's Executive Director and co-founder of the environmental scientific research organization Blueprint Earth. She is a volcanologist, an extreme explorer, host of the upcoming Discovery Channel series Hunting Atlantis and former candidate for United States Congress. She's an invited TEDx speaker and a fellow in the Explorers club -- which means she's a total bad ass. We talk about the climate crisis, what it's like to stand on an actively erupting volcano and her experiences as a member of the legendary Explorer's Club. It's an episode you don't want to miss! App - Volcanoes and Earthquakes Book - Ms. Adventure - My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava and Life. CLICK HERE TO BUY Hunting Atlantis on Discovery - Premiers in March 2021 Twitter = @JessPhoenix2018 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Our guests this episode are twin sisters who know how to have a good time. Sarah Routman and Rachael Siegelman use laughter as a tool to help people improve their lives and their business interactions. They motivate people to engage in healthy laughter for a vibrant, uplifting, and transformative shift in all aspects of their lives. They have found spontaneous laughter helps when negotiating contracts and in other business settings -- and they teach that to thousands at seminars. TheLaughterBook.com LaughHealthy.com YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdRldFotOwM7uWIU6u3n90A Global Belly Laugh Day - Jan. 24, 2021 Atomic Habits - James Clear - https://amzn.to/388yieN Heal Your Heart - Michael Miller - https://amzn.to/2K534vN The Rag Coat - - Lauren Mills- https://amzn.to/38BRmSV The 12 Week Year - Brain Moran and Michael Lennington - https://amzn.to/2XyBf24 The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery - https://amzn.to/3qcZmQ8 The Children's Story - James Clavell - https://amzn.to/3q9DNQA The Alter Ego Affect - Todd Herman - https://amzn.to/2K5ejV2 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

As we enter 2021 different parts of the world are having vast different results in the fight against COVID-19. In this episode we talk with former news producer Ernest Kung who is in New Zealand. He shares his experience living in a country that has five million people and fewer than 3,000 COVID-19 infections and 25 deaths. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Dr. Jack Pitney returns for our final episode of 2021. This week we talk about presidential pardons, the runoff elections in Georgia, the stimulus package, Joe Biden's transition, and a whole lot more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk I'm joined by Dr. Marc Kerner. He and I co-host the Dr. Marc and Brian Podcast where we talk about health care and wellness. We sat down to talk about the rollout of the Coronavirus vaccines and we dig deep into whether recent restaurant shutdowns make sense. There's a ton of insight in this episode worth tuning to. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Jake Reiner is the host of a brand new podcast -- Meeting on the Mound -- It's focus -- all things baseball. Whether it's on the field, in the history books, or on the big screen, Jake Reiner shares stories from his unique upbringing around the game. He joins me to talk baseball and we get all the details about his new podcast. Here's a hint... the first episode is with his dad Rob and grandpa Carl. Find the "Meeting on the Mound" podcast on all major podcast platforms. Follow Jake on Twitter: @Reiner_Jake To support the Let's Talk Podcast -- click here! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On Episode 22 of Let's Talk, I chat with Franke Previte and John DeNicola -- the oscar winning and golden globe winning duo who wrote two of the most iconic songs in movie history -- I've Had the time of my life and Hungry eyes from the 80's blockbuster Dirty dancing. These smash hits rocketed the blockbuster movie's soundtrack to No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 18 straight weeks and have propelled it to worldwide sales of over 55 million. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" was chosen as one of ASCAP's top 20 songs ever written. Dirty Dancing Masterclass Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Let's Talk Patreon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Today we talk with singer/songwriter and Attorney Alan Chapell Growing up on the multi-ethnic streets of Stamford, Connecticut, Alan Chapell was exposed to a multitude of music – playing piano and trumpet before the age of six. At age 15 Chapell recorded with the legendary producer Jimmy ienner (Dirty Dancing, KiSS, etc) and more recently with Talking Head Jerry Harrison. He's played to jam-packed houses around the world from Mumbai to Managua. It took Chapell a while to get to this point, but audiences across the U.S. are starting to take notice in a big way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk -- we talk with Loyola Marymount University professor Dr. Michael Genovese about the election of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States. We talk about transition issues, what Joe Biden wants to do in the first 100 days, potential cabinet picks and the historic election of Kamala Harris as the first woman and the first woman of color as the Vice President. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Episode 19 - This episode of Let's Talk is with Occidental College Professor Caroline Heldman. She joins us to talk about the election and what could happen in the days and weeks that follow. This episode airs the day before what many are calling the most important US election in the history of our country. We talk about everything from what a lame duck final few months could look like, how campaigning during COVID has affected both candidates, and the future of the Republican party. You can support our podcast clicking here and becoming a patron. You can follow Dr. Heldman on twitter @carolineheldman --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

This week my guest on Let's Talk is Loyola Law Professor Kimberly West-Faulcon. We talked about the nomination hearings for Amy Coney-Barrett, the hypocrisy of conducting the hearings without weeks of an election, and the legacy adding her to the court now will have for decades to come. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

We live in a digital world... so much of our entertainment comes from a screen. Including books. In the episode we talk about what it takes to be a book publisher in today's world. Our guest is JC Gabel -- he's a former Playboy magazine writer and editor who now operates Hat and Beard Press -- it's what he calls a print collective, a publishing think tank, and a production house dedicated to all things tactile. Click hear to support the Let's Talk Podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk Loyola Marymount Professor Dr. Michael Genovese joins me to talk Campaign 2020. We were originally going to talk about the debate and the President's Supreme Court nominee... then President Trump tested positive for COVID-19. That's how crazy our world is right now... we covered it all. Click here to support the Let's Talk podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk I talk with "The Doctor of Horror", Bekah McKendry. She specializes in horror and science fiction. She has a PhD in Media Studies with a focus on Horror from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a Professor of Horror at the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she teaches genre film classes and workshops. In 2018, McKendry wrote and directed her feature debut ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING starring Constance Wu. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Hollywood changed in an instant when the COVID-19 shutdowns went into affect. Productions are starting to come back. Savage Agency's Mark Smith joins me on this episode of Let's Talk to discuss what has changed to keep productions safe, how much work has returned, when things will get back to normal... and what will normal look like going forward. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

***This episode includes language that may not be suitable for children. On this episode of Let's Talk -- I talk with award winning voice over artist and radio personality Mark Rider. He shares his journey from small market DJ to ACM Radio Personality of the Year and then his decision to leave radio to become one of the most sought after voice over artists. Some great nuggets on mindset, faith and hard work! Click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast by becoming a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

My guest this week is Cynthia Toussaint. 38 years ago she was a rising star in the ballet world when an injury began a life long struggle with chronic pain. Her Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome went un-diagnosed for years in great part because, as a woman, doctors told her it was all in her head. She turned her experiences dealing with chronic pain, the health care and insurance system into a life long mission to advocate for women in pain. Then, in 2019 she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer -- this is the story of her fight to beat breast cancer while being a CRPS sufferer. Battle for Grace by Cynthia Toussaint --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

In this episode of Let's Talk I chat with CBS Los Angeles Investigative Reporter Kristine Lazar about her work helping people navigate through the problems with unemployment insurance during the pandemic. You can click this link to support the Let's Talk podcast by becoming a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Veteran Sportscaster Michael Coleman joins us to talk about the sports world's reaction to the shooting of Jacob Blake. You can support Let's Talk by clicking this link to become a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Dave Stevens was a three sport athlete in high school, He was a three sport athlete in college. Dave Stevens tried out for the Dallas Cowboys, played professional baseball and he once pinch hit for Darryl Strawberry. He also earned eight Emmy awards while working at ESPN. All of those achievements are remarkable for one person... but there's one thing I left out. Dave has no legs. Hear his remarkable story on this episode of Let's Talk. Dave Steven's Website You can click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast on Patreon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

In this episode of Let's Talk -- I chat with veteran political reporter Dave Bryan about last weeks Democratic National Convention and we preview this week's Republican National Convention. We also talk a little bit about Kamala Harris. Bryan covered her extensively when she was Attorney General of California. We also look at how campaigning will be different in a world with Coronavirus. You can click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast by being a patron! Follow us on twitter @LetsTalkWithBB --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk I chat with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kent Toussaint about how our children are dealing with the pandemic. Kent is the Founder and Clinical Director of the group private practice, Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills, CA. You can support the Let's Talk Podcast by clicking here to become a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Today my guest is Dale Scott -- Dale Scott was a major league baseball umpire for 32 years. In that time, Dale worked three world series and three all-star games. He was also on the field for a boat load of league and divisional championship series. He umpired 3,897 games -- but who's counting. The Oregon native was behind the plate calling balls and strikes for a no-hitter. After suffering several concussions he umpired his last game in 2017. Dale is also Major League Baseballs first openly gay umpire. You can support the Let's Talk Podcast be clicking this link to become a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Drew Scott is an award winning broadcast journalists who has spent nearly 50 years delivering the news to viewers and listeners in the New York City area and across the country. His granddaughter died of an heroin/fentanyl overdose a few years ago and he's since dedicated his life to try to make sure other families don't go through what his family has. Here are some resources in the fight against opioids. New York Oasas - This is a good resource even if you don't live in NY. HHS Opioid Epidemic Site Click this link to support the Let's Talk Podcast by becoming a patron. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

On this episode of Let's Talk with talk with Loyola Law Professor Jessica Levinson about the current and future makeup of the Supreme Court, how the courts could get involved in the upcoming election and whether the Electoral College has outlived its usefulness. Jessica is also the host of an amazing podcast ... Passing Judgement with Jessica Levinson. You can find it through this link. Please support the Let's Talk Podcast by clicking this link and become a patron! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

In this episode of Let's Talk education in a world with COVID-19. Today my guest is Colleen Tomaschevski Cook. She's the Director of Member Communications with the National Parents Union. We talk about resources and tools for parents as we enter a new semester during the pandemic. Tips for both kids going back to school and kids who are distance learning. Click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Today we're going to talk about the a shift in both the Democratic and Republican Parties with Dr. Jack Pitney -- he's the Roy P. Crocker Professor of Politics at Claremont McKenna College. It seems the parties have moved father and farther from the center. When I started covering politics in the late 1980's the republicans were the party of family values, the moral majority, the party of evangelicals… the Democrats were for the working class, those struggling to make it, the party that fought for minorities. Each party also had a legitimate moderate wing that often came together to cross the aisle to get things done. Now it seems like in many ways that's flipped. Un-American: The Fake Patriotism of Donald J. Trump by Jack Pitney Click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

In this episode of Let's Talk we talk with Donna Drake. She's a talk show host, entrepreneur, master networker and leadership specialist. We talk about how one morning she woke up from a dream and decided to mortgage her house to make it happen. You find out more about “The Donna Drake Show: Live It Up! at https://www.liveituptvshow.com/ Click here to support the Let's Talk Podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support

Introducing Let's Talk with Brian Bielanski --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brianbielanskiletstalk/support