Rock 'n Roll Ghost

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost welcomes former Congressman, political commentator and host of The Social Contract podcast, Joe Walsh joins the Ghost to talk the madness of the Trump administration and the cult of MAGA.Just this past week, Walsh made a surprising decision to register as a Democrat. His move from Tea Party firebrand in 2010 to now is important. We need more conservatives to break with the Trump Republican Party.#Resist #ImpeachTrumpLinks:The Social Contract with Joe Walsh - https://socialcontractwithjoewalsh.substack.com/Joe Walsh on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/walshfreedom.bsky.socialJoe Walsh apologizes for Tea Party past - https://www.pbs.org/video/joe-walsh-apologizes-past-and-attacks-trump-bspjgo/

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost welcomes musician Gary Lightbody of UK rock band Snow Patrol. Lightbody discusses the band's history and their latest album, The Forest is the Path. Snow Patrol is currently on tour in the UK, with European dates this summer as well.Links:Snow Patrol

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost welcomes cinematographer Juanmi Azpiroz (Shadow Force - in theaters now). Azpiroz discusses his role as cinematographer, how he got his start, his multi-film collaboration with Shadow Force's co-writer/director Joe Carnahan (Wheelman, Point Blank, Boss Level, El Chicano, and Copshop), his and Carnahan's shared love of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and he teases the pair's upcoming films RIP (starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Steven Yuen due out later this year on Netflix, and Not Without Hope starring Zachary Levi and Josh Duhamel - no release date just yet).Shadow Force from Lionsgate is now in theaters. Links:Juanmi AzpirozShadow Force

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost welcomes Michelin-starred chef Christian Hunter (Chicago's Atelier).Hunter, who has also been a James Beard finalist, joined me back in September of last year to discuss the future of Atelier (currently crowd-funding for a larger space with more foot traffic). Hunter has essentially left Atelier in the hands of Bradyn Kawcak, who was Executive Sous Chef before handed the reins as Executive Chef, but is still credited on the restaurant's website as "Founder Emritus."During the interview, Hunter describes his humble beginnings, his time in Kentucky, coming to Chicago to open Atelier, how and why he walks around Chicago so much and discusses La Verne's, a project intended to be more casual than Atelier that, sadly, is on hold for the time being.Links:AtelierChristian HunterAtelier crowd-funding (via SBMX)

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost welcomes back author/political strategist Rick Wilson (The Lincoln Project, as well as being one of the strongest anti-Trump voices for years) to discuss the chaos and insanity of the second Trump administration. With particular focus on Trump's capitulation to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Wilson details Trump's subservience to Putin, Marco Rubio selling his soul and more. Wilson is, for my money, the one person who speaks full truth about what Trump, his cabinet of evil morons and the entire Republican party are doing to dissolve democracy and give away as much money as possible to people like the stupidest Bond villain ever, Elon Musk (as well as other billionaires/corporations), and trying to take away Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security from all of us. We are in the most dangerous time in American history. Trump and his band of authoritarian lunatics need to be stopped. Not just for liberals, but for all Americans. He's lied to the people who voted for him and he has dictator visions. Call your congressional representatives and tell them to do their job - protect America, keep their oath to the constitution and work for ALL Americans. Only we can stop him. Links:Rick Wilson's Intel & Observations SubstackRick Wilson on Blue SkyThe Lincoln Project

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Holly Minto of UK rock band Crawlers. Minto, interviewed in the middle of a tour this past fall in support of Jane's Addiction and Love & Rockets (which fell apart the week of this conversation) discusses her excitement of touring the states, her reticence to jump into the pit these days, dealing with anxiety and more. Links: Crawlers Holly Minto

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Penelope Ann Miller about her role as Nancy Reagan in the film Reagan (which is in theaters now). Miller discusses working on the film, her research into Reagan, as well as touching on her work in The Freshman (with some funny stories about star Marlon Brando), Carlito's Way and The Relic. Reagan is in theaters now. Links: Penelope Ann Miller Reagan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor/author/filmmaker Nick Searcy, who appears as James Burke (former Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan) in the film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid as Reagan and Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan (check the shows for my interview with Miller). Searcy discusses his work in the film, his book Justify This: A Career Without Compromise, his time on the classic FX drama Justified as Chief Deputy Art Mullen, as well as his start in theater and his big break as the abusive husband in Fried Green Tomatoes. Reagan is in theaters now. Links: Nick Searcy Justify This: A Career Without Compromise Reagan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with Michael Muser, director of operations and co-owner of Chicago's two Michelin-starred restaurant Ever. Muser discusses his and Ever's executive chef/co-owner Curtis Duffy's relationship, which stretches back to their time at Avenues at The Peninsula, moving to Grace (both restaurants are no more, but were highly rated, Grace ended its run with three Michelin stars) and then opening Ever during the pandemic. He also talks about how important service is to him and Duffy, the restaurant's feature placement on the hit FX series The Bear, and the things that are most important to him. Links: Michael Muser Ever Ever reservations on Tock --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Jennifer Phang about the hit Disney original movie Descendants: The Rise of Red (currently on Disney+ and hitting The Disney Channel on August 08th). The Rise of Red is the highest rated original movie premiere on the streaming service. Phang (pronounced Pong) discusses how she and her team worked to ensure that this fourth installment of the Descendants franchise would be a true crowd pleaser. She also talks about her career in independent film (Half-Life, Advantageous), TV work (The Boys, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), as well as the movies made by Asian filmmakers that inspired her to become a filmmaker. Descendants: The Rise of Red is streaming now on Disney+ and coming to The Disney Channel on August 08th. Links: Jennifer Phang Descendants: The Rise of Red --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with current James Beard nominee Jenner Tomaska chef and co-owner of Micheline starred restaurant Esme in Chicago. Tomaska, who got his start working under notable chefs like Erick Williams, Dave Beran and Grant Achatz, opened Esme with his wife Katrina Bravo during the pandemic and has gone on to receive immense critical acclaim. He discusses Esme's fusion of food and art (the restaurant collaborates with local artists to shape their menus), where he came from and how he got to where he is now. Links: Esme Jenner Tomaska --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Michael John Warren about his new Paramount+ docuseries Lolla: The Story of Lollpalooza which chronicles the creation and evolution of the music festival created by Perry Farrell. Warren discusses his history of going to that first groundbreaking Lollapalooza, which included Jane's Addiction, Ice-T, Siouxsie & the Banshees and Nine Inch Nails. He also talks about the unique pleasure of interviewing artists he has revered for decades. Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza is airing now on Paramount+ Links: Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza Michael John Warren --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with Bear McCreary about his new concept album, graphic novel and future tour (with a preview performance at the Fonda Theatre on May 12th), The Singularity. McCreary, who you may know for his scoring work on The Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Foundation and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, started work on The Singularity all the way back when he was a teenager. The Singularity features a wide variety of guests including Rufus Wainwright, Slash (Guns 'n Roses), Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Joe Satriani, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) as well as his brother Brendan McCreary on vocals across the album. Actors Lee Pace (Guardians of the Galaxy), Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead) and Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead, Black Panther) provide spoken word pieces as well. McCreary also discusses how he was connected with the late, great composer Elmer Bernstein as a young musician just starting out and disucsses becoming Bernstein's protege. The Singularity is out Friday, May 03rd digitally and on May 10th on CD & vinyl. The graphic novel is out via Image Comics on May 08th. See The Singularity performed live on May 12th at the Fonda Theatre (links for all below). Links: Bear McCreary Site Purchase The Singularity on CD & vinyl Purchase / Listen to The Singularity digitally See Bear McCreary and guests perform The Singularity on May 12th at the Fonda Theatre Purchase The Singularity graphic novel via Image Comics --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Ned Benson (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby) to discuss his new film,, The Greatest Hits, from Searchlight Pictures (now streaming on Hulu). Benson talks about the making of the film, from the writing stage to filming during Covid and getting it released. He also takes time to discuss his work on Marvel's Black Widow and what his experience was. The Greatest Hits is streaming now on Hulu. Links: Ned Benson Instagram The Greatest Hits on Hulu --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with chef/restaurateur John Manion (El Che Steakhouse & Bar) about his newly opened restaurant Brasero in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. Manion talks about how Brasero came to be and what diners can expect when visiting. The restaurant has strong ties to South American cuisine, cocktails and wines. Manion lived in South American as a child and has always had strong ties to the cuisine across his years as a chef. Links: Brasero - https://www.braserochicago.com/ El Che Steakhouse & Bar - https://www.elchechicago.com/ John Manion Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/juanmanjuan/ Brasero Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/braserochicago/?hl=en El Che Steakhouse & Bar Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elchechicago/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Shannon Larkin, drummer for the hard rock band Godsmack. Larkin discusses the band's upcoming Vibez Tour, which is making a stop at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, IN (in addition to many other venues) and how this tour is different from the band's last coast-to-coast trek through America. The band will be performing acoustically and lead singer Sully Erna will tell some stories about the band and the songs played. Things take a bit of a political turn as Larkin and the Ghost discuss situations going on in the country. And, despite disagreeing on some issues, they prove that people can respectfully disagree on these issues. Check out this interesting interview and look in the links section for how to find out more about Godsmack and their tour. Links: Godsmack Official Godsmack Vibez Tour Shannon Larkin Instagram Shannon Larkin X --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with James Beard award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer of Chicago restaurant Kindling. Along with discussing Kindling, Chef Sawyer talks about his career cooking with such luminaries as Charlie Palmer and Michael Symon (even appearing along Iron Chef Symon on numerous episodes of Food Network's Iron Chef America). He also goes into the issues he had with substance abuse and maintaining his sobriety. Links: Chef Jonathon Sawyer Instagram Kindling Chicago --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Stella Rose about her album, Eyes of Glass (out now on KRO Records), her music career and just a little bit about growing up the daughter of Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan. Links: Stella Rose --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Mel Eslyn about her new film Biosphere starring Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass, which is available in theaters and on video now. Eslyn talks about working with Mark and Jay Duplass' production company, co-writing the film with Mark and working with both him and Brown in this unique film centering on possibly the last two men on Earth. Links: Biosphere - https://www.biosphere.movie/ Mel Eslyn - https://www.instagram.com/meleslyn/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Peyton Bighorse of rock band Skating Polly about the band's new album, Chaos County Line, out today, June 23rd, via El Camino Records. Peyton talks about the new album, their tour (which stops in Chicago on June 24th at Beat Kitchen), the band's move from Oklahoma to Tacoma, WA, as well as the multitude of luminaries that have sung the band's praises since their inception (including Calvin Johnson, Exene Cervenka, Shirley Manson, Courtney Love and Viggo Mortensen). Links: Skating Polly Purchase Chaos County Line --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock ‘n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor/filmmaker Jennifer Esposito about her role in Ray Romano's Somewhere in Queens (now available to rent/buy on home video) and her feature film debut, Fresh Kills, which just debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. Esposito also made a surprise return to her role on CBS' Blue Bloods in May. Esposito discusses working with Romano on Somewhere in Queens, as well as her shocking role on Amazon's The Boys. She also talks about writing and directing Fresh Kills and the hopes she has for its release. Fresh Kills, set in the 1980s, concerns the wife and two daughters of a Staten Island mob boss as they handle a life built by organized crime. The cast includes Esposito, Annabella Sciorra and Domenick Lombardozzi. Links: Jennifer Esposito Fresh Kills Somewhere in Queens --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Louise Post (Veruca Salt) about her newly released debut solo album, Sleepwalker, available via El Camino Records. Post, who hails from Chicago and is one of the members of alt-rock icons Veruca Salt, discusses why now was the time to release her first solo album, how she worked with producer/musician Matt Drenik to shape the songs as well as the album's tracks. She also gives a hint at her next musical project and talks about Veruca Salt's past and future. Links: Louise Post Purchase Louise Post's Sleepwalker --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Glen Phillips about his most recent solo album, There Is So Much Here, available via Compass Records, as well as coming back together with his bandmates in Toad the Wet Sprocket for a summer tour which is already underway (see dates below). Toad the Wet Sprocket also have a remastered greatest hits album out now, All You Want, featuring the bonus track “Best of Me.” Phillips discusses recording his new solo album, touring solo, the pleasure of Toad the Wet Sprocket's music resonating to this day and gives an overview of the band's history, including the band's breakup and regrouping. He and the Ghost also go down a rabbit hole about the modern political landscape and how society has coarsened over the last several years. Conservatives may be triggered. Toad the Wet Sprocket Tour Dates: JUN 20 / FAIRFIELD, CT @ The Warehouse JUN 21 / NEWTON, NJ @ The Newton Theater JUN 22 / CANADAIGUA, NY @ Lincoln Hill Farms (MP)^ JUN 23 / GLENSIDE, PA @ Keswick Theatre (MP)* JUN 25 / KENT, OH @ The Kent Stage (MP) JUN 26 / CINCINNATI, OH @ Taft Theatre (MP) JUN 27 / KALAMAZOO, MI @ Bell's Eccentric Café (MP) (SOLD OUT) JUN 28 / EVANSTON, IL @ Cahn Auditorium (MP)* JUN 30 / BEAVER CREEK, CO @ Vilar Performing Arts Center JUL 1 / TELLURIDE, CO @ Sheridan Opera House JUL 2 / BELLVUE, CO @ The Mishawaka JUL 3 / ARVADA, CO @ Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities JUL 5 / OJAI, CA @ The Canyon @ The Libbey Bowl JUL 6 / MENLO PARK, CA @ The Guild Theatre JUL 7 / NOVATO, CA @ HopMonk Tavern (SOLD OUT) JUL 8 / SACRAMENTO, CA @ Crest Theatre JUL 11 / SPOKANE, WA @ Bing Crosby Theater JUL 13 / FEDERAL WAY, WA @ Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center JUL 14 / EDMONDS, WA @ Edmonds Center for the Arts JUL 15 / PORTLAND, OR @ Revolution Hall JUL 16 / BOISE, ID @ The Egyptian Theatre JUL 18 / REDDING, CA @ Cascade Theater JUL 19 / NOVATO, CA @ Hopmonk Tavern Links: Glen Phillips Toad the Wet Sprocket --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies (writer/guitarist) about the band's latest release, Such Ferocious Beauty, which is available now via Cooking Vinyl. Michael discusses the band's origins, his working relationship with the band (which includes his sister Margo on lead vocals, brother Peter on drums and Alan Anton on bass) after decades together, how touring has changed for them in the past twenty years and how the new album came to be. Links:Cowboy Junkies Purchase Cowboy Junkies' Such Ferocious Beauty --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Adrian Martinez about his role in Universal's Dracula film, Renfield, which is in theaters and available digitally now. Martinez, who is a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company, discusses how he prepared for the role in Renfield, where he plays a New Orleans policeman, by asking for advice from NOLA locals. He also talks about his relationship with the film's star Nicholas Cage, as well as working with the film's other stars Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina. New Orleans is also where Martinez filmed a good portion of the 2015 film Focus, which starred Will Smith and Margot Robbie and for which he was the third lead. He also discusses his directorial debut, iGilbert, which is available now on digital and streaming and his upcoming role in a Netflix film about the creation of the infamous breakfast treat, Pop-Tarts. “Some people walk into a room and you know they're a star. And that's me.” Renfield is on digital and in theaters now. Links: Adrian Martinez Renfield iGilbert --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor John Hoogenakker about his role as Branch Davidian member Clive Doyle, the only member of the group to not be convicted in the wake of the events that transpired in Waco, TX in 1993. Hoogenakker discusses how he got the role and what research he did to prepare for his role. He also touches on his connection to Waco: The Aftermatch star Michael Shannon, who he replaced in a stage version of Tracey Letts' Killer Joe and knew from actor circles while living in Chicago. Hoogenakker talks about his time in Chicago and how he got into DePaul University. Waco: The Aftermath is streaming now on Paramount+. Links: John Hoogenakker Waco: The Aftermath --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Tim Bogart (Spinning Gold). Tim is the son of Casablanca Records co-founder Neil Bogart and Spinning Gold tells his father's bold and wild story in the music business, warts and all. Casablanca was home to Donna Summers, KISS, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Village People to name a few of the hugely successful artists on the label. Tim discusses staying true to who his father was, even if that meant tackling his legacy accurately - good or bad. Spinning Gold was originally going to be a Broadway show, but shifted to a film that, at one point, was going to star Justin Timberlake as Neil. He also touches on working with his siblings to get the film to the screen. Spinning Gold is in theaters now. Links: Spinning Gold Tim Bogart --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor David Dastmalchian (The Suicide Squad, All Creatures Here Below, Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Prisoners, the Ant-Man series, Animals, The Dark Knight) about his most currently-in-release projects. Those would be his role in 20th Century Studios' Boston Strangler, available now on Hulu. As well as the second volume in his Count Crowley graphic novel series. Dastmalchian discusses his love of all things horror and how he displays his horror artwork across his home with the help of his wife, Eve. Additionally, he gives some insight into his role in Boston Strangler as the lead suspect Albert Salvo. He also dives into how important the city of Chicago played in his life. From going to DePaul University to his time at the Shattered Globe Theatre (which he's hoping to collaborate with again soon), to his beginning in acting. Specifically, he discusses his pivotal role as one of the Joker's thugs in Chrisopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. It's one of the most indelible short appearance by an actor I have ever seen and Dastmalchian's performance in it has led to a lot of interest from other major filmmakers such as James Gunn and Denis Villeneuve. He reunites with Nolan in this summer's Oppenheimer. Additionally, he's working on a third volume of Count Crowley, as well as making appearances in the Stephen King adaptation The Boogeyman this summer and Last Voyage of the Demeter, which draws its inspiration on the Transylvania to England voyage of Dracula. Count Crowley is available at your local comic book store and Boston Strangler is currently available on Hulu. Photo of David Dastmalchian by Nicholas Chalmers Links: David Dastmalchian Instagram Count Crowley from Dark Horse Comics Boston Strangler on Hulu --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Roman Zaragoza about his role on the hit CBS sitcom, Ghosts. Zaragoza discusses his role as the deceased Native American Sasappis, and how his own Native American ancestry comes into play in the role. He also talks about the difficult road he has had being someone multi-cultural and how he always wants to not play a stereo-typical ethnicity and his work with charitable organizations such as Outlast Arts & Education. Ghosts airs on CBS every Thursday at 8:30 EST / 7:30 CST. Episodes can also be viewed on Paramount+. Links: Roman Zaragoza Instagram CBS' Ghosts Outlast Arts & Education --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Adam Goldberg (Saving Private Ryan, Dazed and Confused) about his role on CBS' The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah. On the show, a remake of the 80s hit series (which begat two successful films starring Denzel Washington), Goldberg stars as Harry Keshegian, a computer hacker working with Latifah's character Robyn McCall to help people in desperate situations. Goldberg, who is also a musician, photographer and filmmaker, discusses taking on the role and having to make a snap decision about moving to New York for filming during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He gets into who Harry is and how he's been able to work with the role since joining the series. The conversation also turns into a look at his filmmaking and music career, before diving into his roles in Dazed and Confused and Saving Private Ryan. Goldberg gives an in-depth look into filming his agonizing death scene in Saving Private Ryan as well as the recent passing of Tom Sizemore, his co-star in the film. The most recent episode of The Equalizer (season 3, episode 11) features Goldberg in a larger role as he deals with being a Jewish man amid a series of anti-Semitic attacks that the team is investigating. He stated the following on Instagram about this episode: “As you know, my day job doesn't often make the grid. But tonight on @theequalizercbs I punch a Nazi—not for the first time in the public realm, but perhaps most relevantly. No longer the stuff of WWII movies and evil Santas, you only need to google hate crime stats to discover that the antisemitic variety is second only to those perpetrated against gay men in the United States.” The Equalizer airs on CBS on Sundays at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST, and on Paramount+ the day after. Links: Adam Goldberg The Equalizer --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Jamie Winterstern, the director behind Supercell, a film about storm chasers and a young man's pursuit of connecting to his deceased father. Supercell opens in theaters across the country and via video on demand Friday, March 17th. Winterstern discusses the genesis of the idea behind Supercell, writing the script with Anna Elizabeth James, how a limited budget made him think outside of the box in order to show the full power of a tornado and why the film looks so damn good. Supercell, which stars Daniel Diemer, the late Anne Heche, Alec Baldwin and Skeet Ulrich, is in theaters and video on demand beginning Friday, March 17th. Links: Jamie Winterstern Supercell --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Balin Schneider about his film (his first), Out of Time: The Material Issue Story, about the Chicago power-pop band Material Issue's career. Schneider, who is in his 20s, discusses how he “discovered” Material Issue and what led him to focus on the band for a short documentary for a film school project and how that snowballed into a feature length film. The Ghost and Schneider also focus on the emotional aspects of the film, particularly friends and family members' interviews concerning the suicide of the band's founder, lead singer, guitarist and lyricist Jim Ellison. Out of Time: The Material Issue Story is currently on a tour across America (check the link below for a list of cities and dates) and will makes it debut on video and streaming services later in 2023. Links: Out of Time: The Material Issue Story Material Issue Balin Schneider --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor James Badge Dale about his role as John Dutton Sr. on the hit Paramount Plus series 1923 from creator Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, The Mayor of Kingstown), as well as his career which dates back to his appearance in 1990's Lord of the Flies adaptation. Dale, who resides in New York City, but spent a good deal of his youth in California, discusses the reasons for both wanting to become an actor, as well as why he didn't work as an actor after Lord of the Flies for a decade until he grew up. The conversation also takes a look at some of his more memorable roles and films, including his role in Martin Scorsese's The Departed opposite Matt Damon, the NBC series The Black Donnellys, HBO's WWII mini-series The Pacific, Joe Carnahan's The Grey - where he recounts a story about the cast and crew passing bottles of liquor on the flight to Smithers, British Columbia, and his experience working on Michael Bay's 13 Hours and Gore Verbinshi's The Lone Ranger, which ties into 1923 as he dealt with some of the same stunt people on both. He also previews his work in the upcoming film Balestra, from filmmaker Nicole Dorsey (Black Conflux) and how important family is to him as he's gotten older. The first season of 1923 is available to stream now on Paramount Plus. Links: James Badge Dale 1923 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with celebrity chef Tiffani Faison (Partner/Chef in Boston's Big Heart Hospitality which includes Sweet Cheeks Q, Tenderoni's, Bubble Bath, Dive Bar and Fool's Errand, as well as the runner up on the very first season of Top Chef and the winner of Food Network's Tournament of Champions III). Faison discusses the changes she and her company have had to make in the wake of the Covid pandemic, including closing a couple of restaurants (Tiger Mama and Orfano's) and opening three concepts in the food hall at High Street Place in Boston (Tenderoni's, Dive Bar and Bubble Bath) and the difficulty of the changes coupled with her divorce during the same period of time. She also talks about her beginnings - not only as an Army brat jumping from base to base with her family and how she got her start in the restaurant business (note: she never went to culinary school, unlike the false information that keeps following her), and how she learned what not to do from terrible restaurant environments. The conversation also wades into the topic of LGBTQ concerns, a subject that Faison, who identifies as queer, holds close to her heart. She works hard to break down barriers on women and LGBTQ people in the food world, including on food TV. As shown in my introduction, I'm not as eloquent as I expected myself to be, but Faison indicates that at least we're having the conversation, which is important for everyone to be doing in order to move things forward. You can see Faison competing to retain her Tournament of Champions title every Sunday on Food Network. Links: Tiffani Faison Big Heart Hospitality Tournament of Champions IV --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker (12KM) /podcaster (In Love With the Process) Mike Pecci. Pecci discusses what drove him to filmmaking, the pull from Boston to Los Angeles to invest in himself and his career from that point on, including his podcast, In Love With the Process. He also dives deep into his much buzzed about short film 12KM (see my review here), about a science team's confrontation with something paranormal. Pecci has been shopping the film around as a proof of concept to hopefully make a feature version. He talks about working directly with Ridley Scott's Scott Free production company and his hopes of making the feature a reality, while also pursuing other projects, such as other feature films, more short films and videos in the meantime. In Love With the Process is one of the very few podcasts I actually listen to. There's something about the inquisitive, deeply ruminative nature of Pecci's style that is intriguing whether or not he has a guest to interview and is just talking to the audience. Links: Mike Pecci In Love With the Process --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Melissa Ponzio (Teen Wolf, The Walking Dead) about her role in the newly released Teen Wolf: The Movie, available now on Paramount+. Ponzio discusses taking on the role of Melissa McCall, a hard-working single mother to the series and film's title character, Scott (Tyler Posey), from 100 episodes on TV and into the feature film and how devoted the Teen Wolf fan base is. Ponzio also talks about her time on The Walking Dead and working with co-star Chad Coleman, as well as how she got bit by the acting bug to begin with (with help from her model/actor mother). She also makes mention of the next project she has coming up with Kevin Hart, entitled Die Harter, as well as the podcast Bridgewater, which is available to listen to now. Teen Wolf: The Movie is available now to stream exclusively on Paramount+. Links: Melissa Ponzio Teen Wolf: The Movie --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker/novelist Eric Garcia (Matchstick Men, The Repossession Mambo) about his new series, Kaleidoscope, which debuted on Netflix January 01. The series, about a heist 25 years in the making, has a fascinating structure. All episodes have a color instead of a title or episode number for one. They are also completely out of order, save for the "white" episode, which Garcia says should always be seen last even if you make up your own order or decide to figure out how to watch it chronologically. Netflix has put the other 7 episodes on "shuffle" essentially, and each viewer will get an entirely different experience from another. It's a pretty genius way of telling a story like this and, from my viewing so far, works damn well. Garcia discusses the show from an initial idea about a decade ago, to the pitch to streamers, to the writers room, through to the filming and post-production. He touches on the greatness of Kaleidoscope star Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian), and touches on some of the "Easter eggs" found on the show - some, he predicts, will never be caught. All eight episodes of Kaleidoscope are now streaming exclusively on Netflix. Links: Kaleidoscope Eric Garcia --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Vonda Shepard about her new album, Red Light Green Light, which she will be touring on in 2023. Shepard discusses the creation and recording of the album during the Covid-19 pandemic, recording it in her and her husband's, musician/producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Sheryl Crow, Randy Newman), home recording studio, her time as part of Al Jarreau & Jackson Browne's bands (Vonda reached out to say she misspoke about her years with Browne - they were 1985 - 1986) and where to expect her on tour this year. Red Light Green Light is out and available for purchase now. Links: Vonda Shepard Purchase Red Light Green Light --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Amy Landecker about the return of Showtime's Your Honor where she co-stars alongside Bryan Cranston, as well as her role in the upcoming feature film, Missing. Landecker, who hails from Chicago and is the daughter of famed Chicago DJ John "Records" Landecker, talks about her breakout role in the Coen brothers' A Serious Man, where she worked alongside Michael Stuhlbarg (who is also on Your Honor). She worked with Stuhlbarg two other times, including her role as an anesthesiologist opposite him in Marvel's Doctor Strange, as well as on Amazon's Transparent. She also lets me know about working on Missing (the sort of spiritual sequel to Searching starring John Cho), the school in Chicago's Lincoln Park where she and a number of other artists attended, her work in theater, Bill Murray being a dick, and I get to share a silly story about her husband, Bradley Whitford. Your Honor is available on Showtime now. Missing is in theaters beginning January 19th. Links: Amy Landecker Your Honor Missing --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate) about his role as "Tommy" on the HBO adaptation of the video game The Last of Us (from Naughty Dog). Luna discusses working on the show with the game's creator Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), his bonding with Pedro Pascal (the series lead, Joel) and how playing the game helped him get into the TV's world. He also talks about his role in 2019's Terminator: Dark Fate as the newest terminator, Rev-9 and his role as Ghost Rider on the Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and his thoughts on returning to the role. Links: Gabriel Luna HBO's The Last of Us --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Andrew Baird about his new film One Way starring Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Drea de Matteo, Storm Reid, Travis Fimmel and Kevin Bacon. Baird, making his second appearance on the podcast (the first guest to do so), discusses the making of the film, working with the cast on a tight shooting schedule, and lets slip a detail about his next film which will star Guy Pearce who was in Baird's first film, Zone 414 (a big hit on Netflix). One Way is debuting on December 31 on Hulu. Links: Andrew Baird --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Paul Calderon (Bosch, Four Rooms, King of New York, Sea of Love, Bad Lieutenant, Pulp Fiction, Out of Sight, Fear the Walking Dead, Q&A) about his career from the start to the present. Calderon discusses that he was up for the role of Jules Winfield in Pulp Fiction, his audition for legendary director Sidney Lumet for his 1990 film Q&A, his connection with Abel Ferrara that led to his role in King of New York, Bad Lieutenant and The Addiction. He also discusses how he got into ashtanga yoga, his years as a dance instructor with his wife and the time he was a point person for anthropologists in the Amazon, where he would clear paths for them to go and do their research. Links: Paul Calderon Official --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with Rockaway Records co-owner Wayne Johnson. Johnson discusses how he got into collecting and how he and his brother started Rockaway Records. He also gives insight into some of his famous customers and how he treats them like anyone else (save for some more privacy). Links: Rockaway Records --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with musician Josh Robins of the experimental rock back The Invincible Czars. The band is currently on tour, performing the music of the classic silent horror film, Nosferatu alongside the film. Robins discusses the band's origins in Austin, TX, how the band became known for accompanying films (beginning at the Alamo Drafthouse in 2006), as well as the current tour, which features a stop at Chicago's historic Music Box Theatre on Monday, October 24th. Robins talks about how excited he is about finally getting to perform at the Music Box, a goal he had been working towards for years. Links: The Invincible Czars --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with the great filmmaker Walter Hill (48 Hrs., The Warriors, Johnny Handsome, Extreme Prejudice, Geronimo: An American Legend, Streets of Fire) about his newest film, Dead For a Dollar. Starring Christoph Waltz, Willem Dafoe, Rachel Brosnahan, Warren Burke and Benjamin Bratt, Dead For a Dollar is Hill's new age twist on the classic western. Hill explains here how he wanted to take modern-day themes and put them in a context appropriate for the film's 1897 time frame. Hill also discusses how important and effective his cast was at bringing out what was on the pages of the script he wrote. He touches on how Brosnhan was a “director's dream” and that Burke's performance as Sergeant Poe is especially good as the character can only show certain aspects of himself to various characters. Though our time was short (I could have peppered Hill with questions about his career for at least another hour), I was able to ask him about working with Mickey Rourke on Johnny Handsome, as well as praise him for what has become my favorite film of his, Extreme Prejudice (starring Nick Nolte and Powers Boothe). To say that this time spent with such a spectacular filmmaker was an honor almost feels too small for how it actually felt. Dead For a Dollar is available via video on demand now (links below). Links: Dead For a Dollar on Apple Dead For a Dollar on Vudu --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Mark Pellington (Going All the Way, Arlington Road, The Mothman Prophecies, Survive). Pellington discusses his work turning the short form series Survive, produced for the now defunct Quibi, into a long form film, as well as the upcoming video release of his first feature film, Going All the Way starring Ben Affleck, Rose McGowan, Jeremy Davies and Rachel Weisz in November. Additionally he gives us a look into the art he's been enjoying lately. Links: Mark Pellington --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Zach Cregger about his new film Barbarian which debuted at #1 at the box-office on its opening weekend. In a discussion that includes spoilers (so beware!), Cregger gets into subverting expectations with his cast (Bill Skarsgaard, Georgina Campbell, Justin Long), substituting Budapest for Detroit, how they pulled off that flashback scene in the film, and how Barbarian's success has afforded him a level of interest that he hopes translates into more original film work. Barbarian is in theaters now. Links: Barbarian Zach Cregger on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Warren Burke (Netflix's Family Reunion) about his role in acclaimed director Walter Hill's new western film, Dead for a Dollar co-starring Christoph Waltz, Willem Dafoe, Rachel Brosnahan, Brandon Scott and Benjamin Bratt. Burke discusses growing up in Chicago and his impulsive move to Los Angeles in the middle of winter at age 22, as well as his work on Family Reunion, his upcoming shoot on the short film, Lucille, starring Loretta Devine, as well as the thrill of working on the Dead for a Dollar film set. He praises his co-stars for their talent and for what he learned on the set as he was invited by Hill to shadow him on his days off. Dead for a Dollar debuts in theaters and video on demand on September 30th. Links: Warren Burke on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with filmmaker Allan Ungar, director of the recently released Bandit starring Josh Duhamel, Elisha Cuthbert and Mel Gibson in a true story about Canada's biggest bank robber. Ungar discusses his road to making the film, how budget reasons made it impossible to shoot the film in Canada, instead swapping Georgia in as a substitute, and how happy he was to get this cast set in place. Bandit is in theaters and available via video on demand now. Links: Allan Ungar on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor/author Richie Stephens (NCIS, Blue Bloods) about his book The Gangster's Guide To Sobriety, which details his criminal background along with his decline into alcoholism and drug addiction. Stephens discusses the real life exploits detailed in the book, his acting history, as well as the upcoming TV series adaptation of the book by Silicon Valley co-creators Dave Krinsky and John Altschuler. Links: Richie Stephens The Gangster's Guide To Sobriety --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support

Welcome back to the Rock 'n Roll Ghost Podcast. On this week's episode, the Ghost speaks with actor Mike Starr (Goodfellas, Dumb and Dumber, Ed Wood, Clockers, Chicago Fire). Starr goes through his career, including a look into his role in Martin Scorsese's iconic gangster film, Goodfellas. He also takes a number of detours along the way, talking about his family, his time living in Chicago, favorite restaurants and more. Links: Mike Starr IMDB --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/brett-hickman/support