Podcast appearances and mentions of phil leirness

It's Memorial Day in the USA. Dean Haglund in Michigan and Phil Leirness in California are joined by Jon Lawlor in New Jersey to discuss New Jersey Transit, the importance of celebrating everyone, and the challenges involved when someone you meet or care about is experiencing memory loss issues. May is also Asian American and […]

Original Release Date: Monday 26 May 2025    Description:   It's Memorial Day in the USA. Dean Haglund in Michigan and Phil Leirness in California are joined by Jon Lawlor in New Jersey to discuss New Jersey Transit, the importance of celebrating everyone, and the challenges involved when someone you meet or care about is experiencing memory loss issues. May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the USA. To celebrate this, Phil sits down for an in-depth personal interview with a giant of the AAPI community, and a legendary actress who made her mark on stage, one screen, and in voice work. Takayo Fischer has worked in huge movies, with legendary stars, has been a fixture on television for decades, has lent her voice to many animated programs, and has worked on iconic stage projects with major talents of the 20th and 21st Century. The story of how she got to the stage is unlike any other.

This week's episode finds Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness in fine form, discussing this year's Oscar-winning animated feature Flow, how it was made, and why actual cats might be enjoying it! The “Lawsuit of the Week” returns, and it is a rather astounding one involving a once Oscar-nominated filmmaker. Phil and Dean both relate to […]

Original Release Date: Monday 14 April 2025    Description:   This week's episode finds Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness in fine form, discussing this year's Oscar-winning animated feature Flow, how it was made, and why actual cats might be enjoying it! The "Lawsuit of the Week" returns, and it is a rather astounding one involving a once Oscar-nominated filmmaker. Phil and Dean both relate to a recent Substack post by one of Phil's favorite journalists entitled, "We Are Schrödinger's Cat". You will find out why. Dean learns some very cool things about the Helsingør locale where he was married, including about a (rather legendary, though rarely-seen) version of Hamlet entirely shot there and about the World War II "underground railroad" operation run through there! The Scandinavian countries are very much on Phil's mind. Dean and Phil discuss how high those countries rank on the list of "happiest" countries and how low the USA ranks. Two recent Scandinavian horror films (this past year's Oscar-nominated The Girl with the Needle and the 2021 supernatural thriller The Innocents) both get reviewed, and the world's first open-air museum, the Norsk Folkemusuem, gets described. Finally, Phil tips his hat to the success of the just-completed season 3 of "The White Lotus", while Dean grabs his popcorn and pours his wine and sits down to start season 1!

Due to the ridiculous travel itineraries of your friends in podcasting, this week's show is coming at you one day late, but is jumbo-sized to make up for its tardiness! The festivities get started on a midnight train ride through Denmark two Saturdays back as Phil Leirness and Jon Lawlor discussed sandwiches, the English language, […]

Original Release Date: Monday 25 March 2025    Description:   Due to the ridiculous travel itineraries of your friends in podcasting, this week's show is coming at you one day late, but is jumbo-sized to make up for its tardiness! The festivities get started on a midnight train ride through Denmark two Saturdays back as Phil Leirness and Jon Lawlor discussed sandwiches, the English language, the honor system of Copenhagen and swapped tales of the magnificent Copenhagen City Hall. Then, back in Los Angeles, Phil quizzes Lily Holleman (Leirness) about the terrors of London Heathrow Airport, the joys of steam-punk weddings, the incredible history of the Koronborg Slot (aka “Hamlet's Castle”), the delights of Copenhagen breakfasts, and the inspiring art of Edvard Munch. Finally, Phil connects with Dean Haglund, who is enjoying his honeymoon in Portugal. They discuss Dean's nuptials, their respective Nordic ancestry, Dean's visit to Paris, the delights of Lisbon, Guy Maddin's most recent film, the television miniseries “A Gentleman in Moscow” and much more!

Your friends in podcasting, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness, participate in a “side project” called The Art Life with good pal (and creator of many Chillpak Hollywood Hour theme songs) Jon Lawlor. Each week they hold each other's feet to the fire as they try to free up their creativity, make it manifest in the […]

Original Release Date: Monday 30 December 2024    Description:   Your friends in podcasting, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness, participate in a “side project” called The Art Life with good pal (and creator of many Chillpak Hollywood Hour theme songs) Jon Lawlor. Each week they hold each other's feet to the fire as they try to free up their creativity, make it manifest in the world AND encourage each other to live more artful, authentic lives. In the first Chillpak episode of 2024 (Season 3, Episode 100), they discussed their intentions for 2024 and how they intended to set their compasses to their true North(s). In this week's final episode of the year, Dean, Phil and Jon look back at what was said, share how they feel about their artistic year and discuss how their focus is evolving as we journey into 2025. Happy New Year, one and all!

Happy Birthday to our friend in podcasting, Phil Leirness, who is celebrating many returns of the day in New Orleans today! Before departing Los Angeles, and before Dean Haglund departed the environs of Detroit to head to the nation's capital for Thanksgiving, they convened via zoom to record this week's show. In it, they discuss […]

Original Release Date: Monday 25 November 2024    Description:   Happy Birthday to our friend in podcasting, Phil Leirness, who is celebrating many returns of the day in New Orleans today! Before departing Los Angeles, and before Dean Haglund departed the environs of Detroit to head to the nation's capital for Thanksgiving, they convened via zoom to record this week's show. In it, they discuss their travel plans, before Dean regales with tales of his recent improv performance (with Gary Jones) in San Jose. Then, a discussion of Dean's forthcoming European wedding leads to Phil revealing his new plans for Arctic Circle adventures and a follow up to last week's discussion of the Aurora Borealis. Several new or recent movies get reviewed, including My Old Ass, Deadpool & Wolverine, and His Three Daughters, as well as the 2020 Oscar winner for Best Documentary (My Octopus Teacher) and a horror film from 1988 that was one of the first starring roles for both Hugh Grant and Peter Capaldi (The Lair of the White Worm). Finally, in an almost-all-jazz edition of "Celebrity Deaths", four jazz greats and two Bee Gees drummers get remembered!

Birthday boy Dean Haglund has the week off, so Phil Leirness welcomes Marc Hershon to discuss the recent Emmy Awards nominations and all that is excellent right now in what we used to call “television”. Marc is a screenwriter, author, improv professor, comedy impresario, columnist, editorial cartoonist, and corporate branding expert. He is also responsible […]

Original Release Date: Monday 29 July 2024    Description:  Birthday boy Dean Haglund has the week off, so Phil Leirness welcomes Marc Hershon to discuss the recent Emmy Awards nominations and all that is excellent right now in what we used to call "television". Marc is a screenwriter, author, improv professor, comedy impresario, columnist, editorial cartoonist, and corporate branding expert. He is also responsible for Dean and Phil seeing many of the shows they have discussed over the past several years. Phil also welcomes Jeff Briggs to discuss China's first female action star, "The Queen of Swords", Cheng Pei-Pei, who died recently at the age of 78. Jeff is a lifelong archivist, a former magazine writer, and an expert on Asian Cinema. He is also Phil's former college roommate! All in all, this week's show is a globetrotting 73 minute epic!

Original Release Date: Monday 15 July 2024    Description:   This show runs the gamut geographically from the U.K. to Detroit, and from Los Angeles to Laguna Beach. And it features a wide array from topics, including the supposed demise of radio in general, the new hopes for one station's programming in particular, the death of a great actress, the acquisition of a legendary Hollywood company, and the latest (and final?) news in the prosecution of Alec Baldwin. There are also a slew of TV and movie reviews, including “Tulsa King”, MaXXXine, Remembering Gene Wilder, I Used to Be Funny and Janet Planet. Join Dean Haglund, Phil Leirness and special guests Alex Lewczuk and Lily Holleman as they bring you the insightful, the irreverent, the inspiring and the deeply felt. And if you are so moved, please visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/witham-radio/. Donate if you can and share if you will.

A brief history lesson: In May of 2007, Dean Haglund & Phil Leirness started changing the way people listen to the internet with “From The Heart of Hollywood”. After a cease and desist from an individual claiming “brand confusion”, the name was changed to (YOUR) YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour. On December 2 2019, after 652 […]

Original Release Date: Monday 6 May, 2024   A brief history lesson: In May of 2007, Dean Haglund & Phil Leirness started changing the way people listen to the internet with "From The Heart of Hollywood". After a cease and desist from an individual claiming "brand confusion", the name was changed to (YOUR) YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour. On December 2 2019, after 652 previous episodes, Dean & Phil launched "Season 2" making the move to live streaming on Odysy Radio. Sometime later, "Odysy" rebranded to "Subspace Radio". Last week, based on math that defies our understanding (100 episode "seasons" now?) was Season 4 Episode 17, and what turned out to be the LAST live streaming episode of this show ... For now anyway. This week's installment is our 17th Anniversary episode and it features Dean and Phil TOGHETHER in Michigan, discussing the future of the show, answering emails from listeners, discussing Alex Garland's Civil War, Japanese Breakfast's “Be Sweet”, a forthcoming documentary about Detroit and some of the many charms of the Wolverine State (“Go, Blue!”).

This week's show will pick up right where last week's Season 4 Episode 6 left off, with a pre-recorded segment wherein Dean Haglund reveals his top two films of 2023, and Phil Leirness reveals his number one choice. Then, Dean and Phil hook up live on digital audio to discuss a wide array of topics, […]

Original Air Date: Monday 19 February, 9 pm Eastern Description: This week's show will pick up right where last week's Season 4 Episode 6 left off, with a pre-recorded segment wherein Dean Haglund reveals his top two films of 2023, and Phil Leirness reveals his number one choice. Then, Dean and Phil hook up live on digital audio to discuss a wide array of topics, including: the choreography of Pina Bausch, the German nominee for the Best International Film Oscar, the Mardi Gras jazz of Delfeayo Marsalis (and a real-life backstage mystery!), the Houdini Estate in Hollywood, "Bicycle Thieves", the French classic "Diva", and why February 10 was a terrible day for breakfast!

On the 8th of May 2007, good friends and collaborators Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness started to “change the way people listen to the internet” with a free weekly podcast called “From the Heart of Hollywood”. Eventually, of course, the show became known as YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour and today the show turns 16 years […]

Original Date: May 8, 2007 Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness bring you movie chat from the inner workings of Hollywood's indie film machine. Today's Topics: Dean comments on a documentary he saw at the Silver Lake Film Festival called Improbable Collapse, and Phil reports on a “star” ceremony in Palm Springs, an addition to their Walk of Fame. The guys also talk about Spiderman 3, Waitress, the MPAA and the history of the X rating, gaming the ratings board, and art vs commerce vs freedom of expression. And, oh yeah… they don't accept screenplay submissions, just finished films.

Original Air Date: Monday 8 May, 9 pm Eastern Description: On the 8th of May 2007, good friends and collaborators Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness started to "change the way people listen to the internet" with a free weekly podcast called "From the Heart of Hollywood". Eventually, of course, the show became known as YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour and today the show turns 16 years of age, old enough to drive itself! Your friends in podcasting (and broadcasting) commemorate the occasion with very special episode where they discuss the ways the world has changed since they started the show 16 years ago, and how they predict the world will be different 16 years from now!

Happy Halloween! Come trick-or-treating with Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness as they take a cinematic tour of “Horrorville USA”, the new nickname Phil has coined for Detroit! Several horror films get discussed, including the current Detroit-set shocker Barbarian as well as non-Detroit-based classics like The Leopard Man and Séance on a Wet Afternoon. Dean has […]

Original Air Date: Monday 31 October, 9 pm EasternDescription:Happy Halloween! Come trick-or-treating with Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness as they take a cinematic tour of “Horrorville USA”, the new nickname Phil has coined for Detroit! Several horror films get discussed, including the current Detroit-set shocker Barbarian as well as non-Detroit-based classics like The Leopard Man and Séance on a Wet Afternoon. Dean has started watching HBO's "Avenue 5" and he finds that scary! Phil also weighs in on the Jon Hamm vehicle Confess, Fletch and a big-time Oscar front-runner, The Banshees of Inisherin from Martin McDonagh. In "Celebrity Deaths", the "killer", Jerry Lee Lewis, the beloved comedic actor Leslie Jordan and the stop-motion animation giant Jules Bass all get remembered. And finally, in a re-visitation to a past "What We're Reading", Phil talks about ghostly radio signals! All in all, it's a spooky good installment of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour.

Original Date: May 10, 2011A week ago, your friends in podcasting, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness, were in the United Kingdom, visiting their friends at Sci-Fi London, celebrating the Royal Wedding, attending the World Premiere of their documentary The Truth Is Out There and discussing the death of Osama Bin Laden. This week, they're back in Los Angeles, where Dean is preparing his brand new gallery for this Thursday's Downtown Art Walk and where Phil is directing an incredibly ambitious short film. Most important of all, they're celebrating their 4th anniversary of changing the way YOU listen to the internet!

Original Date: October 22, 2012Dean Haglund is in Fargo, North Dakota. Phil Leirness is on set somewhere, directing and producing 2nd unit on a feature film. So, how are your friends in podcasting able to bring you this brand new installment of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour?Why, through the magic of podcasting, of course!If you love Star Trek … If you love Star Trek: The Next Generation … If you love James Bond … If you love Planet of the Apes … If you love science-fiction … If you love social media … If you love the space shuttle, scientific exploration, tiki bars, Jameson's, Blade Runner, independent film … OR, if you just love good conversation, you are going to love this week's show, where Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness welcome special guest Robert Meyer Burnett.Happy Monday, from YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour.

Original Air Date: Monday 7 February, 9 pm EasternDescription:Season 1 of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour ended in November of 2019 after 652 episodes. Season 2 ended last week after 113 episodes. This week, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness launch Season 3 as they make the move to Subspace Radio! They will "re-set" their topics, bringing back the "Explanation of the Week" while discussing something called the "Gell-Mann amnesia effect" and the "Wingnut of the Week" while discussing sci-fi novelist and filmmaker Michael Crichton. In "Celebrity Deaths", they will remember the legendary improviser who played "Dr. Johnny Fever”. All that, plus a deep dive into what made season 2 of "Ted Lasso" so divisive for viewers and a big award hopeful this Oscar season: Aaron Sorkin's Being the Ricardos.

Original Date: April 2, 2018Your friends in podcasting have been teasing episode #568 for weeks! They had really been looking forward to counting down their all-time favorite Mystery films and the final results prove to be a lot of fun. So, get those Netflix queues handy, because Dean and Phil will hit you with more than two dozen movies they discuss at length with four films actually finding a place on both their Top Tens. There are comedy “whodunits” from the 1930's, foreign language allegories from the 2000's, independent films that launched careers, classics from international masters that launched entire sub-genres, mysteries based on books, mysteries based on plays, mysteries set in the farthest reaches of space, mysteries full of post-war romance and cold war anxiety. The biggest mystery of all is after almost eleven years, how do Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness keep managing to provide an hour (plus) of free audio entertainment each week?!

As we celebrate the symbolic end of summer this Labor Day Weekend, we also celebrate the return of the in-person Los Angeles Breakfast Club after its long stay-in-shelter! This Labor Day-themed installment of our audio time travel expeditions exploring the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 96 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs is full of laughs, music and the opportunity to get better acquainted with some of our newest members! New Breakfast Club emcee Joe Selph and recent Chairman of the Day Rachel Skytt get the ball rolling by welcoming you to the Shrine of Friendship. Club President Lily Leirness initiates a half dozen new members. Reverend Barbara Adams pays tribute to our longtime and now retired and relocated Master of Ceremonies Richard Gilson. Celeste Hong introduces presenter Christina Rice who thrills us with info about legendary starlet Jane Russell. Jill Masters introduces presenter Beth Pratt who celebrates the resiliency of California wildlife. Steven Smith introduces presenter Mindy Johnson who takes us on a tour of the indelible contributions to the legacy of Disney animation made by women animators.  All that, plus Don Snyder selects and performs a very special song to celebrate the return of the LABC, host Phil Leirness gets us better acquainted with good Ham an' Egger Sabrina Parke, and Lily returns to update us on the negotiations to establish a long-term home for the Breakfast Club, to preview the Breakfast Club's upcoming events, and to wish our beloved Maurice Terenzio well in his recovery from surgery.

Welcome to a patriotic, heartfelt, hilarious and musical celebration of Independence Day done in the indelible style of The Los Angeles Breakfast Club! Trusty announcer Marc Hershon gets things rolling with some info about the origin of Independence day before longtime club emcee Richard Gilson and club President Lily Leirness lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Breakfast Club choir sings the Battle Hymn of the Republic and then host Phil Leirness takes over to celebrate the re-openings of both the in-person Breakfast Club and the Hollywood Bowl with an historic clip from 1935. Reverend Barbara Adams walks us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" by celebrating the lives and careers of those 4th of July icons Jimmy Cagney and George M. Cohan.  There is a lot of patriotic and inspiring music, including performances by the Don Snyder Orchestra. There are thoughtful words from the club's Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Reich. There is a deeply touching personal story courtesy of Carole Nese. Esteemed member of the clergy Reverend Will Billow visits via Zoom to offer thoughts on his long career in the nation's capital. We get better acquainted with good ham an' egger Kevin Cartwright. Lily offers up personal thoughts about the club on Independence Day and previews all the exciting programs planned for the coming weeks as we leave zoom behind and head back to the Shrine of Friendship where we hope to bid you a "Good morning" real soon!  

We are commemorating Memorial Day, Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Cinco de Mayo and, hopefully, the final stages of the pandemic on this, our last "Covid-19" installment of the podcast! Trusty announcer Marc Hershon gets things rolling with some info about the origin of Memorial Day before host Phil Leirness takes over to celebrate the importance of history and stories, sharing troubling thoughts about how easy it is for these things to become lost forever.  After the usual celebration of member birthdays, we take the Audio Time Machine back to 1984 where author Diane Alexander proceeds to take us back even further in time to explore the origins of the Pasadena Playhouse. Not only did that organization make an indelible (perhaps unparalleled) mark on the movie industry, but Ms. Alexander's presentation includes facts that are eerily resonant today and features beloved Breakfast Clubber Will Rogers!  Filmmaker Stephen DeBro regales with tales of Eileen Eaton, a remarkable woman who was responsible for the success of the Olympic Grand Auditorium. Andy Lowe from East-West Players tackles the challenges in trying to create a more diverse and equitable world for performers and storytellers. Chaplain of the Day Greg Gonzalez instructs us about Cinco de Mayo. The Don Snyder Orchestra performs two songs. Phil Leirness allows us to get better acquainted with good Ham an' Eggers Jodi Kurland and Kevin Jordan. Lily Leirness wraps things up with her Presidential Report, previewing the Los Angeles Breakfast Club activities for June and offering insight into what we hope July might have in store for us. 

Like Cupid shooting an audio arrow through your ears and straight to your heart, host Phil Leirness offers up a bonus-length love letter to the Los Angeles Breakfast Club and its members on this Valentine's Special! Good Ham an' Eggers Dorothy Rupert and Charles Coulombe get the ball rolling with a couple of New Year's wishes that Phil neglected to include in our New Year's show.  Then, after an historic clip about plastic surgery (!), and a celebration of member birthdays, Reverend Barbara Adams offers some truly inspiring words and Lily Leirness offers her Presidential Report.  Phil then conducts heartfelt, insightful and frequently hilarious "check-in" interviews with the Nurse's Table's Betsy Zajko and ("Colonel") Christopher Monger, with the Konrad Monti Smoking Section's Joanna Linkchorst, with the 60's Mafia Table's Oleg Korolov, and with the Rooster's very own Mr. L.A., Tom Sanchez.  And as if all that weren't enough, Don Snyder performs two romantic songs, announcer Marc Hershon provides a lot of laughs, and Phil pays tribute to longtime Breakfast Clubber (and mother of current club member Paul Currier), Peenie Currier, who died at the age of 97.

Make it your New Year's resolution, to ring in 2021 with this brand new installment of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR". Episode 39 is a celebration of the holidays, of friendship, of Los Angeles, and of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs! Full of comedy, poetry, music and heartfelt expressions, this episode boasts contributions from Don Snyder, Richard Gilson, Adam Mellema, Nick Maiorino, Carole Nese, Jonathan Reich, Steven Smith, Joanna Linkchorst, Sandi Hemmerlein, Joe Selph and Marty Bracciotti. Announcer Marc Hershon provides plenty of laughs, host Phil Leirness curates the affair, and club president Lily Leirness previews all the happenings on tap for the Breakfast Club in January. From stories of the all-time greatest film composer to an inspirational speech given in 1932, from tales of "spooky donuts" to "senior date nights" at Vons this jumbo-sized episode is a New Year's party in audio form!

A true feast for the ears, the heart and the funny bone, episode 38 of our almost-monthly celebration of the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the more than 95 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs is an unusual one. Even by 2020's unusual standards! There are mid-pandemic new member initiations, birthday wishes, time travel audio featuring legendary announcer John Milton Kennedy, a preview of forthcoming Breakfast Club events, and Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship". Most of the episode, however, serves as a seasonal variety show! Join host Phil Leirness, announcer Marc Hershon, the Don Snyder Orchestra, the Scrambled Egg Sisters, The Roosters, Richard Gilson, Carole Nese, and Konrad Monti as they celebrate the season, friendship and Thanksgiving. Featuring special contributions by Doug Spice and the "Cheerful Philosopher" Burr McIntosh, this month's serving of audio "Ham an' Eggs" in the age of Covid-19 is full of music and laughs. So, dig in, everybody!

During this month's serving of audio "Ham an' Eggs" in the age of Covid-19, we inch our way back to normalcy with some reviewing and previewing of happenings that have taken place and that will take place at our virtual "Shrine of Friendship". And for the first time since the pandemic changed ... everything ... Phil conducts a long-form interview with a good Breakfast Clubber! He also conducts a couple of Coronavirus check-ins at the various Breakfast Club tables. In addition to all that and in addition to celebrating the club's 95 year history and current member birthdays, this episode pays special tribute to our dear friend, Konrad Monti, who died this past week at the age of 87. There will be much music, courtesy of the Orville Knapp Orchestra, Lily Leirness and Don Snyder. There will be a lot of laughs, thanks to host Phil Leirness and announcer Marc Hershon. And there will be a whole lot of heartfelt and inspiring personal revelations and insight courtesy of Joanna Linkchorst, Sandi Hemmerlein, Erynn Petrulis, Juliet Beach and Thea Komen. It's a lot to get to in one little audio time travel expedition, so buckle up, pour a tall one and notify the network that we might be running long!

Thanks for coming back for more "Ham an' Eggs in the Age of Covid-19"! For the 5th consecutive month of life during the pandemic, we depart from the normal structure of our audio time travel expeditions into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 95 year story of the one and only Los Angeles Breakfast Club ... Esteemed Master of Ceremonies Richard Gilson gets things started in his inimitable fashion, introducing Erynn Petrulis, who welcomes all within the sound of her voice to the Shrine of Friendship.  The Orville Knapp Orchestra performs many songs in a clip from 1934, including one of their best-selling records! August Birthdays are celebrated. Then host Phil Leirness makes the rounds of the various Breakfast Club tables, starting with the dais table and Chairman of the Board Jonathan Reich, who takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" by describing how we have all become "Disney Princesses". Phil then drops in at the nurse's table, where he interviews the aforementioned Erynn Petrulis, who offers heartfelt details about her struggles with pandemic shelter-in-place and the lessons those struggles have taught her. The Konrad Monti smoking section's Mickey Corcoran reveals big personal news. The 60's Mafia table's Bill Siefke talks about the travel biz and realizes he has been sitting at the wrong table all these years. Finally, the terrific former Hanna-Barbera animator Dawna Berger rounds things out by making all of our lives a little bit brighter. You will learn things you never knew about these people, you will hear heartening tales of how they are embracing these challenging times, and you will enjoy a lot of laughs. It's a bonus-length episode, because frankly, we all deserve a little bit more audio ham an' eggs!

Thanks for coming back for more "Ham an' Eggs in the Age of Covid-19"! For the 4th consecutive month of life during the pandemic, we depart from the normal structure of our audio time travel expeditions into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 95 year story of the one and only Los Angeles Breakfast Club ... The show begins with a phone conversation between host Phil Leirness and announcer Marc Hershon about the reasons behind Phil's departure from Los Angeles and the recent death of his father, as well as about an hilarious audio pilot that Marc wrote and produced (and which you can enjoy at https://succotash.libsyn.com/succotash-shut-in-epi209-special-presentation-sleevetalkers-pilot). Legendary explorer, adventurer and hunter Frank Buck ("Bring 'em Back Alive") was honored at the club back in the 1930's. On this month's show, we offer up a clip from that event, as well as a story Buck tells the assembled ham an' eggers about headhunters in Borneo! Phil makes the rounds of the various Breakfast Club tables, starting with the dais table and Reverend Barbara Adams, who takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship". Phil then drops in at the nurse's table, where he interviews Rachel Skytt. It's then on to the Konrad Monti smoking section for a chat with Adam Mellema. The 60's Mafia table's Dorothy Rupert is visited, and the Roosters' very own Grand Cockelorum, Robert Nichols, rounds things out. You will learn things you never knew about these people, you will hear heartening tales of how they are embracing these challenging times, and you will enjoy a lot of laughs.  All that, PLUS the Don Snyder Orchestra takes us on a "Sentimental Journey" and Carole Nese wakes up our brains!

Welcome to the "Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" in the age of Covid-19! For the 3rd consecutive month of life during the pandemic, we depart from the normal structure of our audio time travel expeditions into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 95 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs ... As he did last month, former club president Jerry Zerg gets the ball rolling, this time with the help of longtime club manager Harold Link, who speak of dark days in the club's past, when on more than one occasion, the Los Angeles Breakfast Club was forced to give up their beloved homes. Phil Leirness and his intrepid announcer, Marc Hershon, then guide you through member birthdays and through check-ins with each of the five Breakfast Club tables ... Find out how life is treating the dais table's Lily Leirness (who offers up a Presidential Report for the first time in months), the nurses table's Chicago Chapter (the irrepressible Maurice and Diane Terenzio), the Konrad Monti smoking section's Casey Schreiner (who has a new book AND some sad news to share with his L.A. friends), the 60's Mafia table's Bob De Wees (who updates on the the Breakfast Club's charitable foundation), and the Roosters' very own Rex Link. You will learn things you never knew about these people, you will hear heartening tales of how they are embracing these challenging times, and you will enjoy a lot of laughs.  Reverend Barbara Adams provides a few laughs of her own, as she takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" and the Don Snyder Orchestra gets toes tapping with a song we have not heard played at the Shrine of Friendship in way too long!

Welcome to the "Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" in the age of Covid-19! For the 2nd consecutive month of quarantine, we depart from the normal structure of our audio time travel expeditions into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 95 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs ... Former club president Jerry Zerg gets the ball rolling, offering up good advice for those who have a hard time making it to our early 7 am Wednesday morning meetings in the best of times! Phil Leirness and his intrepid announcer, Marc Hershon, then guide you through member birthdays and two classic clips from presentations past - one from the year 1984, featuring the Harmony Headliners, and the other from 2016 feating a Jet Propulsion Laboratory lecture about Saturn.  The bulk of the show involves Phil checking in with each of the five Breakfast Club tables, finding out how quarantine is treating the dais table's Reverend Barbara Adams, the nurses table's Myrtle Nelson, the Konrad Monti smoking section's Celeste Hong, the 60's Mafia table's Carole Nese, and the Roosters' very own Sherry Chovan. You will learn things you never knew about these people, you will hear heartening tales of how they are embracing these challenging times, and you will enjoy a lot of laughs, especially when Phil pays a surprise telephonic visit on announcer Marc Hershon.  Former president Zerg wraps things up with the man who for more than 70 years led Breakfast Clubbers down the path that led to their continuing "Adventures in Friendship", Reverend Jim Brougher.

It's our first episode in more than four months, out just in time to celebrate the 95th birthday of the one and only "Democracy of Ham an' Eggs!" Let your host Phil Leirness, and his faithful announcer Marc Hershon, guide you on this time travel expedition exploring the history, happening and colorful characters that comprise the story of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club. Club emcee Richard Gilson and Chicago Chapter member Diane Terenzio get the festivities started. The great Reverend Jim Brougher offers remembrances of the club's founding. Multiple gold-winning diver Pat McCormick regales the club members in 1984 with tales of Olympic glory. The Richard Earl Orchestra offers up a toe-tapping tune. Reverend Barbara Adams ruminates on Valentine's Day while taking us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship". Club President Lily Leirness initiates new members AND previews what is on tap for March (as well as a Sunday night concert in April that is a yearly tradition no one will want to miss). All that plus a long-ago "banned" song, legendary actress Annette Andre sings the praises of the Breakfast Club, and beloved "Cathy" cartoonist Cathy Guisewite shares humorous pearls of wisdom. This is one birthday party you won't want to miss!

During one of our longest episodes ever, we not only celebrate the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the 94 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs, we also say goodbye to our dear friend, and devoted Breakfast Clubber, Darrell Hughes. We get into our audio time machine and journey to 1984 for an orchestral rendition of a song about Darrell's home state of Pennsylvania and to be regaled with humorous anecdotes by multi-Oscar-nominated composer (and conductor) Frank De Vol. Reverend Barbara Adams performs an invocation as she takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship". Magician Michael Borys holds us spellbound. Great L.A. Times communications specialist Darrell Kunitomi offers profoundly stirring remembrances of Darrell Hughes the teacher, educator and role model. Robert Nichols releases Darrell from his duties as one of the Breakfast Club's heckling roosters. Don Snyder performs a breathtaking rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You". Brilliant author, artist, animator and illustrator (and good Ham an' Egger) Tina Kugler discusses her "Picture Book Process". Host Phil Leirness gets better acquainted with the Grand Cockleorum of the Roosters, Robert Nichols. All that plus Club President Lily Leirness initiates new member Tom Sanchez into the Democracy of Ham an' Eggs and previews the upcoming events taking place at the Shrine of Friendship between now and Thanksgiving. The Don Snyder Orchestra closes the proceedings with their final ever performance of Darrell Hughes' official Breakfast Club theme song. As always, host Phil Leirness and his trusty announcer Marc Hershon curate the entire affair.

Another amazing episode of your favorite conspiracy podcast! This week Olav interviews the multi-talented film maker Phil Leirness to discuss his landmark documentary, made with X-files Lone Gunman Dean Haglund, The Truth is Out There. We discuss conspiracies, ufo's, and a very interesting conversation about the nature of truth. We also get some very interesting tidbits about his new movie The Truth is Out there 2!

World War I hero Captain Forbes-Dennis welcomes you to episode 26 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" with heartfelt words about the Breakfast Club, about Los Angeles, about California, and about the optimism of the American people. A short while later, his wife, the popular novelist, Phyllis Bottome echoes those sentiments and tells an hilarious story.  Breakfast Club Master of Ceremonies Richard Gilson and Club President Lily Leirness initiate two new members: Anita Brenner and Sabrina Parke. Reverend Barbara Adams treats us to an Irish accent while taking us down the path that leads to our "continuing Adventures in Friendship." Casey Schreiner introduces Todd Lerew, who talks about the lost museums of L.A. Kevin Cartwright introduces Nancy Gneier, who talks about that crown jewel of Griffith Park, Travel Town. One of L.A.'s "Impact Makers to Watch" for 2019, John Girodo, introduces Hadley Meares, who discusses unsolved murders in L.A. history, including that of Jeanne French. All that, plus part 2 of host Phil Leirness' interview with longtime Breakfast Clubber Rex Link, and Lily's preview of all that is on tap for the LABC in April, including four Wednesday morning meetings, and 2 special members-only events.      

Historic audio recapping the club's founding and the recent initiation of one of our newest members gets the ball rolling on episode 24 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR". Join host Phil Leirness, announcer Marc Hershon, club president Lily Holleman, musical director Don Snyder, club chaplain Barbara Adams, and club members Diane Terenzio, Adam Mellema, Erin Johnson, Charles Coulombe and Christopher Monger as they regale you with tales of America's best-selling poet and "Colonel" Griffith J. Griffith (of Griffith Park fame), treat you to historic clips of The People's Poet (Edgar A. Guest) and beloved comedian Eddie Green, teach you some Zen mindfulness (courtesy of a special guest from the Fusho Zen Institute) and along with author Jen Bilik, teach you that "This is (Not) L.A.".  All that, plus  we get better acquainted with the inimitable ham an' egger Konrad Monti and we preview the next four events at the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs!

It's our most unusual episode yet! Because we wanted to provide an audio "Whitman's Sampler" of the seasonal goodness enjoyed by the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, there is no time for a trip in our audio time machine. Nor is there time to get better acquainted with a contemporary Breakfast Clubber. Instead, Phil Leirness, Marc Hershon, Richard Gilson, Don Snyder, the Scrambled Egg Sisters, Maurice Terenzio, Steven Smith, Erynn Petrulis, Kahlil Nelson and Lily Holleman will entertain you with music, comedy and mystery!  There are also special appearances by artist Peter Soby, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Queen and her Court, and good ham an' egger Carole Nese, who tells a wonderful story. And rest assured, Reverend Barbara Adams DOES walk us down the path that leads to our continued Adventures in Friendship and Club President Lily Holleman DOES preview the first six events of 2019 (including one "Encore Sunday" evening show) coming your way from the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs!

Join your friend in podcasting, Phil Leirness, and his intrepid announcer, Marc Hershon, on another time-travel adventure through the 93 year history of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs. We start with a tribute to the Cryptogram before enjoying a 1935 musical performance, delighting in a 1990's interview with Reverend Jim Brougher, and learning about "bliss" with Reverend Barabara Adams as she walks us down the path that leads to our continued "adventures in friendship". We hear about the Hollywoodland development, the Trousdale Estates, the Pacific Crest Trail and the history of Silverlake bohemia.  We are treated to a breathtaking musical performance by Lily Holleman on the banks of the Mississippi Delta. We learn about J. Paul Getty, Scientology's "Life Repair", and Nancy and Fletch Murray's love of each other, of Oklahoma, and love for the Breakfast Club. All that, plus special appearances by good Ham an' Eggers Erynn Petrulis, Joe Selph, Robert Nichols, Richard Gilson and club President Lily Holleman, who fills us in on all that is upcoming at the Shrine of Friendship in October. As always, the proceedings are brought to you by that miracle drug in a mug - coffee! So, pour yourself a cup of Joe, hit "play", sit back, relax and enjoy!

Join your friend in podcasting, Phil Leirness, and his intrepid announcer, Marc Hershon, on another time-travel adventure through the 93 year history of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs. The Bulldog Marching Band of Pasadena Junior College was a fixture at the club throughout the 1930's and they will regale you with a couple of spirited songs. Reverend Barbara Adams will offer up simple tips on beating stress and staying healthy as she walks us down the path that leads to our continued "adventures in friendship". Diana Tisue of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will describe the adventure undertaken to get Route 66 designated as a National Historic Trail. Darrell Kunitomi of the Los Angeles Times will discuss the financial hard times that befell the famed paper and how the paper was forced to move from its historic home. He also regales us with the good news that has come courtesy of the paper's new owner! The L.A. city councilman for district 4, David Ryu, discusses the importance of the Breakfast Club and efforts to make exploration of our beloved Griffith Park easier and more environmentally friendly. Dr. John McCormack, Director and Curator of the Moore Laboratory of Zoology at Occidental College, will tell the astonishing story of how one home in Pasadena became the last resting place for fifty thousand birds! After the Don Snyder Orchestra regales us with a patriotic number, Phil will allow you to get better acquainted with the Breakfast Club's very own Renaissance woman, Mandy Lacy. Finally, club President Lily Holleman will hip us to all that is on tap in September at the Shrine of Friendship, before treating us to a special song. As always, the proceedings are brought to you by that miracle drug in a mug - coffee!  

Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 61, originally published in November 2011. Jason Hartman interviews director and co-executive producer Phil Leirness, about the incredible journey into conspiracy theories with Dean Haglund to create the documentary, The Truth is Out There. Phil talks about one thing that really resonated with him – on the one hand, there is no such thing as a conspiracy, that it's just business as usual, while on the other hand, everything in the world is a conspiracy. Phil Leirness likes making films about things that make him angry, but how about finding out how these things that make us angry can work for us? Does the word “conspiracy” have to have negative connotations? Thus the idea for the documentary was born. Phil found that the word is most often used to marginalize the people that are trying to tell us something is happening that isn't particularly good for us as a collective. Phil Leirness has always been a storyteller and by the time he graduated high school, he was a published film critic, a stand-up comic, and a television host. It was during that time that he realized he needed to become a filmmaker. He graduated from UCLA Film School and has directed five feature films, “The Party Crashers,” “Spectres,” “Till Do Us Part,” “Story of O,” and “Karl Rove, I Love You.” He has also written/directed almost 40 documentary short subjects examining the making of various feature films. From 2005 through 2008, Phil served as the Managing Director of international film distribution and sales company Cinema Arts Entertainment and its sister company, Artedis S.A. Prior to that, Phil served as the Director of Acquisitions and Development for Shadowland, the feature film division of Pasadena-based GOAL productions he helped found. During this time, Phil oversaw the development of the PBS documentary, The Great Year. In addition to filmmaking, Phil, along with Dean Haglund, co-hosts the weekly podcast show “Chillpak Hollywood Hour” on the Farpoint Media Network. Website: www.PhilLeirness.com

This episode is all about the songs, symbols, and rituals that have long made the Los Angeles Breakfast Club the "Club of Hospitality". Of course, what makes the Breakfast Club truly unforgettable are all the colorful characters that have been members. You will hear from several of them - past and present. Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" as she pays tribute to our longest-tenured member. In one of our half-dozen or so historic clips this month, Reverend Barbara's predecessor shares an hilarious story.  March saw the Breakfast Club induct two new members. You will hear excerpts from these special ceremonies. Other audio highlights from the month include chef, food historian and educator Ernest Miller taking us on a journey through the "edible Gold Rush" of native Californian foods. Benjamin Dickow, President & Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center speaks about how Southern California has always been home to those exploring the frontiers of both aerospace and outer space. Mallory Furnier, executive committee chair of L.A. as Subject, speaks about the importance of archives and archivists. Finally, legendary local architect Barbara Bestor, who recently completed a 3 year renovation of John Lautner's iconic Silverlake House, Silvertop, shares personal stories of how she has redefined Los Angeles architecture. The Don Snyder Orchestra plays a sensational Gershwin classic. Nick Maiorino is the Secretary of the Board of Directors. He is the co-chair of the newly formed Archive and Historic Research Committee. He is the wrangler of the Roosters. And he was very nervous about getting interviewed by Phil Leirness! Club president Lily Holleman tells us of her recent travels, previews April's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship and shares some state secrets! If pleasure is something you enjoy, we think you will love episode 15 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR"!   

We kick off the second year of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" by featuring more colorful characters than in any previous episode ... Club emcee Richard Gilson and program coordinator Bill Siefke get things started. One-half of the Chicago Chapter of the LABC, Maurice Terenzio, helps host Phil Leirness introduce audio from an historic newsreel featuring Reginald Denny introducing the initiation of Paul Whiteman into the Breakfast Club. Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship". Club treasurer Steve McAvoy celebrates the life of a great Scottish poet. Club board member Sandi Hemmerlein regales with the history of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Parade. Recent club initiate (and Grammy nominee) Josep Lorge introduces Nyla Arslanian, who talks about her magazine Discover Hollywood. Longtime director of the American Film Institute Jean Picker Firstenberg describes the institute's origin, the creation of its current campus, and sings the praises of the Breakfast Club's very own Amy Inouye. Fletch Murray shares his hilarious feelings about the IRS before introducing the coach and members of the Crescenta Valley High School Falkon Robotics team, who tell tales of scientific and technological genius and inspiring mentorship. Don Snyder plays the musical favorite "Wonderful World". Host Phil Leirness interviews club vice-president Mickey Corcoran about his work with the LABC, his filmmaking career, his family, and his "Mickey magic". Club president Lily Holleman previews February's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship ... All that and music, lots of laughs and a few emotional and inspiring surprises. We hope you will enjoy episode 13, you will share it with YOUR friends!         

In episode 10 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR", we hear ghostly tales from authors Charles A. Coulombe and James T. Bartlett, we hear jokes courtesy of Breakfast Club emcee Richard Gilson and show host Phil Leirness, we hear plenty from the Roosters and we hear two musical performances from the Don Snyder Orchestra. We travel back in time to 1935 to hear Captain Dudley S. Corrette describe the mysterious land of Ethiopia and Colonel William Easterwood describe the threat posed by the aviation force at the disposal of Benito Mussolini. Contemporary highlights include photographer Annie Lasky talking about her book The Wilshire Slides: a Mother & Daughter Kodachrome Adventure, author and filmmaker (and good ham 'n egger) Steven Smith discussing legendary film composer Bernard Hermann, Nuria Haltiwanger and Steve DeWitt of ACS infrastructure celebrating the restoration of downtown L.A's beloved funicular Angels Flight, and Reverend Barbara Adams discussing imagination and creativity as she takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship." All that, plus an interview with the longest-tenured member of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, Dr. Jim Whitney, club President Lily Holleman with her monthly report, and intrepid announcer Marc Hershon keeping the show on schedule!

In episode 9 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR", we travel back in time for the founding of the southern California aviation industry and to hear from an Oscar-nominated writer of several classic films, books and stage plays. There is an interview with amazing club member Carole Nese, special appearances by Vivienne Powell and Richard Gilson, Lily Holleman with her monthly report and Reverend Barbara Adams taking us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship." Featuring the histories of El Pueblo de Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department, the Emmy-winning TV camera man behind Huell Howser's "California Gold", several musical performances and a couple great jokes, this month's episode offers something for everyone.  So, buckle up, relax and let host Phil Leirness and announcer Marc Hershon take you on an audio time travel expedition!