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 Oscar Armando, who produces, directs and writes for television and film. Oscar grew up in Orange County, while his parents hail from El Salvador. Mark shares many of Oscar's early influences, such as Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. Also shared is involvement with the community organization MutualAidLA.org. Oscar is known for his behind the camera contributions to such productions as "Balloon." "Son of Phantom." "Midnight to One" and "Wrong for Right". Mark explains what happened last week. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews singer-songwriter Cassandra Salas, a Herb Alpert Music Scholar who just graduated from LA City College School of Music. It's early days for Cassandra's music, and she's already known for "Singing the Blues" on SoundCloud and her very personal "Mannequin Head" on YouTube (performed at the Herb and Lani Concert Hall, LACC). A pianist and composer as well, her style includes pop, rock, R&B and alternative. A FOLF (Friend of Lt. Frank), Cassandra knows Mark from his early busking days in Hollywood. They discuss. Her new single debuts in weeks, and an EP is in the works. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

By the time many figured out what to do with their lives, Liz Miele could have penned her memoir. Writing at 14. Performing stand-up comedy at 16. In NYC. At 18, profiled in "The New Yorker". At 22, appearing on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham.” Originally from New Jersey, Liz Miele is an NYC-based comedian known for her joke “Feminist Sex Positions”, which went viral on YouTube and UpWorthy.com. Liz wrote and produced her animated web series “Damaged,” voiced by such as Maz Jobrani. She's toured with “Nobodies of Comedy” and Armed Forces Entertainment. Her latest special, Self Help Me is out now on YouTube. Hear Liz on her new weekly podcast “2 Non Doctors”. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

A stand-up comic based in San Francisco, Joe Klocek also works with the homeless and addicted in the Tenderloin. He once spent 3 months in Shanghai as an artist in residency at a comedy club. Joe's a guy in recovery, working on being a good guy and a tolerable Zoom comedian. SF Best Stand-up Comic winner in 2011, Joe you've seen/heard on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham", NBC's "Last Comic Standing", NPR's "Snap Judgement" and the PBS local documentary "The Bridge So Far". Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Kevin Munroe is a Trinidad-born comedian and actor based in Los Angeles. A regular at major clubs and theaters nationwide, Kevin has worked with top talent including Tracy Morgan, Paul Mooney, Eddie Pepitone, Loni Love, and W.Kamau Bell. Kevin began performing standup comedy in San Francisco while working as a software engineer. After placing in local comedy competitions he walked away from Silicon Valley. Kevin is the other half of the Showtime & Kev podcast. (Hear Cory “Showtime” Robinson on MRE pod eps. 2 & 25.) Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Jen Friel launched her first business when she was 8 years old. A writer, she created the blog sensation "Talk Nerdy to Me Lover". Of course, Jen's delivered a TED Talk. Oh, and Jerry Bruckheimer bought her life rights. Twice. She's also another Verified who follows Mark on Twitter. And apparently Mark first asked to interview her on the pod ... ten years ago. (This pod launched in August of 2018.) Mark ponders the last two weeks and difficult conversations. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Is the Pledge of Allegiance a vicious lie? Mark shares his thoughts and actions in response to the global movement protesting the murder of fellow American George Floyd by a white police officer. Join Mark in supporting Black Lives Matter. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark first discovered comedian Daniel Eachus at the World Series of Comedy in Vegas. Now Daniel is on the pod! A finalist on "Comedy Central's Up Next" and winner of the Sacramento Comedy Festival 2015, Daniel also acts and writes. You've seen him on "Laughs" on Hulu/Fox, DryBar Comedy and Kevin Hart's LOL Network. Daniel’s stand-up album “Carry The Pillows” can be heard on Sirius XM, Spotify, itunes, and Pandora. Daniel looks forward to touring after the quarantine. Mark wonders why Mental Health Awareness Month must end. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Shaan Sharma is an actor, educator, union leader, technologist, and musician. You've seen Shaan in "Grey's Anatomy", "Scandal", "NCIS" and "The Mindy Project". Shaan plays Shmuel in the new indie streaming series "The Chosen", first season out now. Mark was a student in one of Shaan's commercial acting classes at the actor's union HQ on Wilshire. A SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Board Member, Shaan has been known to pen a manifesto. Or three. Mark has questions. Shaan has meticulously researched answers. If you're a screen actor, do not miss this conversation. Mark checks in with his son in another "Connor Caveat". Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

What do you think of when you hear "street performer" or "costumed character"?  Do you think of a  master's degree in engineering management? A singer who performs shows in LA & Europe?  A professional Marilyn Monroe tribute artist?  Mark interviews fellow busker Szilvia Stanisic.  She performs as "Miss Monroe".  Mark checks in with his professional psychologist Aunt Ellen. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark conversates with New York City actor David Fierro. David discusses the pivotal Little League moment that led to his life of stage and screen acting. David is known for his Off-Broadway performance in "Ethel Sings", "Birdman" for film, and in television: "Gotham", "Hawaii Five-O" and "Maniac". His Inspector Jacob Speight is a joy to watch in the Cinemax series "The Knick". Mark reads his Cinco de Mayo Facebook post and discusses the reaction. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark chats with guitarist John Storie, from Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. John is a vocalist, bandleader, arranger, and composer as well. He recorded on Gwen Stefani’s "You Make it Feel Like Christmas" (a #1 Billboard chart holiday album). You can hear John's guitar tracks on "Home Before Dark" streaming on Apple Plus now. His album "Ponderosa" is available on Apple Music and Spotify. Mark checks in with scientist son Connor for another "Connor Caveat". Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Bands are one of the "ABCs", right? Got you. Mark sits down with two rather groovy humans: Alicia Perrone and Victor James, the "modwave, modsquad genre-bending" power duo that is the band Fans of Jimmy Century (FOJC). Normally fans are in the audience. They are not the band. And who the hell is Jimmy Century? We get to the bottom of all of it, with the music group you've heard on "Get Hard", "Ray Donovan", "Gossip Girl", "Law and Order: SVU", "The L Word" and "Finding Nemo 3D", to name a few. Their recent song “Best of My Generation (All The Way)” distributed by United Masters is an official NBA Song for MVP 2019 winner Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo. Also, Mark checks in with his Aunt Susan in Vermont. Plus, new groovy in the MRE YouTube. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark typically interviews people he knows well or with whom he's worked. But when a Verified follows you on Twitter ... right? Comedian Natasha Pearl Hansen does. From Wisconsin, "The Other NPH" is a Second City Chicago alumn, writer, Men's Health magazine author and producer. An actor, she's known for "Spare Change", "I Do Yoga" and "To Live and Get by in L.A." Her Future Role Model podcast drops every Tuesday. Mark discovers what project Natasha's been working on and for what iconic annual global event ... before the pandemic canceled it. Also, Mark checks in with his scientist son for another installment of the "Connor Caveat". Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

The pandemic canceled a red carpet and the in-person interview. But thanks to the magic of the internets, Mark sits down virtually with global Trump impersonation sensation John Di Domenico. "Johnny D" you've seen and/or heard on Howard Stern, Conan, Fox News, and The View. This marks the second week in a row with a Twitter verified guest who follows Mark @ TheMarkRoman. Also, Mark checks in with his Aunt Ellen in Minnesota & she shares a pandemic recovery zen life hack. Recorded at the Reasonable Desk at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Bachelor Pad, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

We wrap what we started last week. Quarantine & social distancing status checks. Cup size? The last of the famous international appetizer-sized conversations with: Ace Katano of Ground Game LA (we finish!), Stefanie Estes of "Tales from the Loop" (streams on Amazon April 03rd), director of photography & host of The Weekend Take podcast Shawn Schaffer, actor & renaissance human Debra Haden & filmaker husband Mars Roberge - both of the 2017 film "Scumbag" - tell their crazy Escape from Pandemic New York story, and Sammy Obeid the comedian and dude in the white lab coat you've been watching on "100 Humans" on Netflix. (Sammy's still running for President.) Mark's scientist son Connor makes his debut on the pod in the "Connor Caveat". Recorded at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Water Closet Sound Booth and Mark's Reasonable Desk, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

"How are you?" A question now more urgent than trite. So why not check in with a selection of past podcast guests? See how their quarantine and social distancing is going. Ask their cup size. Enjoy appetizer-sized conversations with comedian & podcaster Cory "Showtime" Robinson, nurse practitioner and podcaster Ersilia Pompilio, impersonator and entertainer Jason Thompson, recovery comedian and podcaster Veronica Porras, and Ace Katano, a Los Angeles public defender, union organizer, and Ground Game LA volunteer. Heroteer wraps an operation involving a Donald Trump impersonator. Lt. Frank is now on celebrity shout-out app Cameo. Heard the Pet Shop Boys "Being Boring"? Watched The Young Ones endure "Boring"? Mark has thoughts on you ... being bored. Recorded at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Water Closet Sound Booth and Mark's Reasonable Desk, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Tired of doom and gloom? Mark delivers happy results! It's the Age of the Pandemic, so we are all Social Distancing! Including podcasts. We may have guests on Skype as soon as next week. This week Mark goes into how he re-tooled Heroteer to help creatives impacted by the pandemic (including Venka). Mark reads a few of his latest Medium articles. Lt. Frank hijacks the interview wrap pod teaser. Drinking at home? Tip your bartender! It's a The90028.com thing - time to understand #apocaTIPS! #NoFearHeroteer Recorded at the Raymond Chandler Memorial Water Closet Sound Booth, Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Mark Roman. Mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday. UPDATE: Actual title is "Fear & Social Distancing in ... Everywhere" but apparently it was too easy for me to type "Fear & Loathing...". So if you happened to screen grab it, maybe you can sell it for 3 cents on eBay (like that upside down airplane stamp) to financially survive the pandemic. Stay at home! Stay safe!

For the first pod interview of 2020, Mark interviews Playboy Bunny and self-described "Detriot Girl" Melanie Neumann. Mark and Melanie met at a Hooters in Vegas. Fast-forward a few years and Mark's watching Melanie perform stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store. Melanie also acts and is a tour guide with TMZ Tours. Recorded on location and at Mark’s humble abode, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Mark Roman. Audio consultation by Ollie Holliday.

After an 11 month hiatus, Mark returns. Who needs guests? Not Bill Burr or Greg Proops. Mark joins the flexible format brigade. And brings you up to speed. Where'd the beard go? What's Lt. Frank up to? How's Venka? What is Heroteer? Mark delivers answers. Recorded at Mark's humble abode, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Mark Roman.

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.

Mark interviews actor, cat dad, & social media personality Kurt Tocci. Yeah, the guy who dances with his cat all over social media. That guy. Whom you've also seen on Cause I’m Savage, Totally TV, Jimmy Kimmel Live & College Humor. (He's also a singer, director & producer.) Kurt shares his Columbine story (not what you think) and what it's like to be the class clown from Colorado who arrives in Hollywood in the age of social media. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews his fav Brit tourist, Hayley De-Sola Pinto, currently on holiday here in Los Angeles. Discussed: Hayley's brash mane of red hair, her singing, her acting, her modeling, tattoos, surfing, her various adventures as a globe-trotter from Cornwall by the sea, and whether or not she was in the original version of "The Office". Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews his buddy Anne-Marie Evans, whom he met working on that ambitious superhero show you never saw. Anne-Marie discusses her life as a working artist: Screenwriter, Director, Producer, Blogger, Singer/Songwriter. She shares a little about her TV script "Love Jade" seeking a home in Hollywood. And she makes her pitch to be Mark's sidekick on the podcast. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews a channeler of many characters, powered by Robin Williams realm energy: Jason Thompson. The impersonator, actor, singer and emcee shares details of his performer's life, hailing from Adelaide, Australia. Now in Hollywood, his impersonations and original characters include the Queen of England, Austin Powers, Shirley Shagwell and the Mad Hatter. Frequently found working corporate and private gigs, he's also performed with Michael Bolton, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and at LA's Cicada Club. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews singer, pianist, SAGAFTRA & stage actor Alice Ko of Kung Fu Panda 3, The Shuttle & Silicon Valley. She shares her journey from Hong Kong, to whatever set in San Francisco where she and Mark met, to Hollywood. Mark attempts to learn a little Cantonese. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

"Not a typical cheerleader interview." Mark interviews former Oakland Raiders cheerleader Vozzy. She shares her insights as a daughter of a USC Trojan & LA Rams football legend, a UC Berkeley grad, a Raiderette, and a mom. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews fellow SAG-AFTRA actor and busker Paul Louis Harrell. The gentlemen from Louisville, Kentucky shares why he pursued acting instead of video game design, the pros and cons of busking as Joker and Ironman in Hollywood, and his latest projects as a Chubbuck method actor. Paul plays Norman Kerry in the upcoming film "Silent Life". Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mid-terms ELECTION SPECIAL (episode out early - REGISTER to VOTE in LA by 22 OCT!) Mark discusses his official vote by mail ballot and makes voting decisions during the podcast while in conversation with Ace Katano of Knock.LA and Ground Game LA. Ace is an attorney, LA County public defender and union organizer. Recorded at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ollie Holliday.

Mark interviews nurse practitioner and fellow podcaster Ersilia Pompilio of the "Nurses and Hypochondriacs" podcast from Rogue Nurse Media. Also known as the Notoriously Single Girl, Ersilia shares how she met Mark, the difference between medicine on TV/film and IRL, as well as why she no longer does live podcasts. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Doris Perrolf, Mixed & mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark interviews the #1 Depeche Mode tribute artist in LA: Freddie Morales aka "Devotional Dave". They discuss his former band (Strangelove), his life path, his new band Devotional and other tribute acts under his Ultra Tribute Artists banner. Also, Mark's monologue reveals past traumas triggered by the Kavanaugh hearings. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Major Wynn, Mixed & mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark interviews the new face of the Men's Wearhouse, S. Scott McCracken; and from "Mary Last Seen" (Canne, Sundance), Stefanie Estes. They discuss Scott & Stefanie's period music video & new film "In Full Bloom", as well as acting in Hollywood and New York. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark interviews hip-hop/rock recording artist and fellow SAG-AFTRA actor Lee Coc. They discuss Lee's look as "Hollywood's newest bad boy", his music, and working with James Franco and Clint Eastwood. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Ollie Holliday. Mixed by Austin Isshac with assistance from Ollie Holliday. Mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark interviews another fellow comic from back in the day: as seen on Conan, Sammy Obeid. They discuss Sammy's math, his world record, and his presidential campaign. And Mark's one night stands. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark interviews fellow period piece SAG-AFTRA actor, Debra Haden. Debra stars in the award-winning film "Scumbag". She's also an animator, designer, and artist. Is she a "complex flower" or a "Feminine Oddity"? Both? You decide. Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Austin Isshac.

Mark's interview hits close to home: his neighbor, fellow SAG-AFTRA actor and fellow "Hollywood Avengers" busker: Ross Michael Johnson. Also known as "Hollywood Wolverine". (Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Major Wynn. Mixed and mastered by Austin Isshac.)

Mark interviews a fellow funny guy, also with San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene roots, the award-winning LA stand-up comic known for his #ItsNotAboutRaceTho posts and his Taco Bell Diet bit: Cory "Showtime" Robinson! (Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Ollie Holliday. Mixed and mastered by Austin Isshac.)

Mark finally launches his podcast. Some Dean Martin Markeoke, laying the groundwork during the monologue, then the interview: fellow busker, Wonder Woman cosplayer and award-winning actress of the horror film "All Through the House" ... Ashley Mary Nunes! (Recorded at Jung Records, North Hollywood, CA. Recorded by Major Wynn. Mixed and mastered by Austin Isshac.)