On this episode of Kill the Small Talk, host Alex Caron sits down with actor, filmmaker, author, and social justice advocate Alix Dick for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about culture, creativity, and survival.

Alix opens up about growing up in Sinaloa, Mexico, surrounded by cartel violence and instability that ultimately forced her family to flee to the United States. What began as a temporary move became a permanent reality — one that reshaped her identity, her legal status, and her relationship to storytelling.

The conversation moves fluidly through memories of Mexican culture — from cumbia and sonideros to banda music — and how cultural identity evolves through displacement. Alex and Alix share laughs over music preferences, “this or that” questions, and daily habits, giving listeners a more intimate look at who Alix is beyond her advocacy work.

They then dive deep into filmmaking, acting, and producing, exploring why neither of them pursued acting for fame, but instead as a way to understand human behavior, psychology, and empathy. Alix explains why becoming an actor helped her become a better director and producer, and why understanding the actor’s language is essential for meaningful collaboration.

Alix also shares invaluable advice for filmmakers and creatives — from capturing ideas organically instead of forcing them, to staying calm under pressure, building strong networks, and learning when to delegate. She reflects on producing projects like Norjack, filming inside real aircraft at Air Hollywood, and how working behind the scenes forever changed the way she watches movies.

The episode also highlights Alix’s book, The Cost of Being Undocumented, co-written with Stanford professor Antero Garcia, blending memoir and research to expose the realities of immigration systems in the U.S. She discusses La Quenta, her work amplifying undocumented voices, and why storytelling, art, and research are all forms of resistance.

This episode is honest, funny, reflective, and deeply human — a reminder that creativity, culture, and community are inseparable from survival.

Follow Alix Dick on Instagram: @_thiessen

New episodes drop every Wednesday.

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🎙️ Recorded & Produced by Command Creative Studios 🌐 https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

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On this episode of Kill the Small Talk, host Alex Caron sits down with actress, producer, director, entrepreneur, and mom Fernanda Romero for a deep, honest conversation about building a creative career across borders — and industries.

Fernanda shares her journey from growing up in Mexico City, unexpectedly landing in a pop music group as a teenager, and navigating early fame while staying grounded with the help of her family. She opens up about touring, missing out on a “normal” teenage life, and eventually stepping away to pursue fashion design in the U.S.

The conversation dives into how Fernanda transitioned into acting almost by accident — from modeling and major commercial bookings to studying with Larry Moss, trusting her instincts, and learning to make bold choices in auditions. Fernanda breaks down why confidence, preparation, and authenticity matter more than perfection, and how not taking rejection personally became one of her biggest lessons in Hollywood.

Alex and Fernanda also talk about casting realities, industry politics, manifestation, research techniques, character development, and how stepping behind the camera as a producer and director completely changed her perspective as an actor.

This episode is packed with real talk, behind-the-scenes insight, and practical advice for creatives navigating the entertainment industry.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Follow Fernanda Romero

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fernandaromeroo

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Produced by Command Creative Studios 🌐 https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

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In this episode of Kill the Small Talk, host Alex Caron continues the conversation with actor and comedian Victor Frausto, diving deeper into the realities of stand-up comedy, storytelling, and staying creatively sharp when the industry offers no guarantees.

Victor breaks down how stand-up became both a creative outlet and a survival tool after graduating from Theater of Arts—something that keeps him confident, present, and connected to audiences even when acting work slows down. He shares lessons passed down from mentors about talking to the crowd like friends, leaning into awkwardness, and building material through honest, story-driven comedy.

The conversation explores Victor’s approach to joke writing, self-deprecating humor, crowd work, and why warming up an audience matters more than shock value. Victor reflects on the adrenaline of his first stand-up performance, the importance of refining material over time, and how posting stand-up clips has helped open doors with casting directors.

Alex and Victor also dig into Victor’s experience with the Independent Shakespeare Company—from auditioning during his TOA days to working behind the scenes, house managing shows, and eventually landing an on-stage role performing Shakespeare in Griffith Park. It’s a candid look at how relationships, persistence, and professionalism quietly build real opportunities.

The episode wraps with a fast-paced “This or That” segment, advice for new comedians, thoughts on creative discipline, upcoming shows, and Victor’s plans for short films and a comedy sketch series.

This episode is about staying ready, trusting your voice, and building momentum one honest step at a time.

Follow Victor on social media: @Victor_m_frausto

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🎙️ Recorded and produced by Command Creative Studios 🌐 https://www.commandcreativestudios.com/

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In this episode of Kill the Small Talk, host Alex Caron sits down with writer and director Juan Gil for an in-depth conversation about storytelling, filmmaking, and the creative journey.

Juan shares his path from growing up in Texas to moving to Los Angeles, trusting his instincts, and committing fully to a career in film. He opens up about his early love of movies, writing as a form of self-expression, and how life experience — including loss, growth, and consistency — has shaped his voice as a storyteller.

The conversation explores Juan’s creative process as a writer-director, the importance of subtext and action over dialogue, and how living a full life informs better writing. Juan also discusses his award-winning projects, including his horror short Dead End and the crime thriller Bruiser, a bold vertical-format project that challenges what short-form storytelling can be.

Alex and Juan dive into collaboration on set, working with actors and crew, adapting creative ideas in real time, and why preparation — from pre-visualization to trust in collaborators — is essential for strong filmmaking. This episode is a thoughtful look at persistence, creative evolution, and what it takes to keep making meaningful work in today’s industry.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with creatives from across the entertainment industry.

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Hosted by Alex Caron

Recorded & Produced by Command Creative Studios

New episodes drop every Wednesday

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In this Re-Release on Kill the Small Talk, Alex Caron sits down with Canadian comedian and actress Geneviève Dubé Carpenter, whose journey to the stage is anything but ordinary.

From competitive figure skating to fitness modeling, and now starring as the female lead in a brand-new TV comedy, Geneviève has reinvented herself time and again. She opens up about imposter syndrome on set, the discipline she carried over from sports, and how a single open mic snowballed into a full-blown comedy career.

Funny, sharp, and refreshingly honest, Geneviève shares what it’s like balancing life between Canada and Los Angeles, why comedy feels like “finding your people,” and how she’s embracing her next chapter as an actor.

New episodes every Wednesday — because small talk is dead.

@genevievedubec on instagram and TikTok

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In this episode of Kill The Small Talk, host Alex Caron sits down with film director, author, and creative entrepreneur Jorge Xolalpa for an honest and inspiring conversation about independent filmmaking, discipline, collaboration, and building a sustainable career in the arts.

Jorge shares his journey immigrating to the United States as a child, the challenges his family faced, and how those experiences shaped his creative voice. The conversation explores his path into filmmaking, producing, and writing, including the mindset shift that helped him understand that he is the business. Alex and Jorge dive into the realities of the entertainment industry, navigating the aftermath of COVID and industry strikes, the role of AI in filmmaking, and why independent creators should embrace opportunity rather than fear change.

They also discuss the importance of relationship-building in Hollywood, self-marketing as an artist, consistency, discipline, and why collaboration matters more than chasing quick wins. Jorge opens up about his new book “NI DE AQUÍ NI DE ALLÁ”, the lessons behind it, and how authenticity and energy can open unexpected doors in creative careers.

This episode is a must-listen for filmmakers, actors, artists, and anyone looking to build a meaningful, long-term career in entertainment.

Remember to Like, Follow, and Subscribe!

New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Follow the show: @KillTheSmallTalkPodcast

Recorded & Produced by Command Creative Studios

Watch the full episode on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@KilltheSmall-TalkPodcast

Follow Jorge Xolalpa: Instagram / TikTok / X: @officialxolalpa Tagged Partner: @teamnyta

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In this Re-Release, Alex Caron sits down with his friend Jesse Alvarado — a former actor and stand-up comic who’s now a dad and firefighter — for a no-filter talk about chasing dreams and paying bills. They laugh through stories of bombing at open mics, hauling pianos on set, getting roasted by casting directors, and being the EMT on wild TV shoots. Jesse shares what it’s really like hustling in Hollywood, raising a Roblox-obsessed kid, and finding purpose in firefighting. No small talk. Just honest chaos, laughs, and real-life perspective.

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Podcast Production Company: Command Creative Studios

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On this Re-Release, Alex sits down with his longtime friend and local legend David Devis, owner and founder of Epic Live — formerly the Epic Lounge — the heart of Downey’s live music scene for nearly two decades.

David shares how his venue grew from a humble internet café into one of Southern California’s most eclectic performance spaces, hosting everything from punk shows and art nights to church services and (almost) dwarf wrestling.

He opens up about surviving recessions, pandemics, and city politics while keeping live music alive. Alex and David reminisce about the early days of Make Music Downey, sneaking into The Blasters’ shows, and the unforgettable chaos of mixing cumbia, goth, and karaoke under one roof.

It’s a story about passion, community, and refusing to give up on local art — no matter what the city of Downey thinks.

No small talk. Just a love letter to live music.

https://theepicloungedowney.com/

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