On today's episode I have Seth Panitch, an award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker who recently published his first novel "Antique." Seth shared his career journey from writing Jaws 2 in third grade to becoming a theater professor at the University of Alabama, where he heads the MFA acting program. He discussed how the idea for "Antique" came from watching Antiques Roadshow and seeing how appraisers help people discover the value of family heirlooms, which led him to write a novel about identity and finding worth in both objects and people. Seth explained his writing process, which involved extensive research and multiple drafts over a year and a half, ultimately selling the book to Grand Central Publishing. He described his current book tour across 27 cities and shared that approximately 2,800 copies have been sold in the first five months, emphasizing that his main goal is to continue writing rather than seeking fame or bestseller status.

Get all the info here: https://sethpanitch.com/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

Had an amazing time talking to David Gottfried, the founder of the U.S. Green Building Council and the World Green Building Council. We started with the meaning of wealth then we talked about his new book, Regen360, which presents an operating system for a regenerative Earth, emphasizing the need to shift from a focus on financial wealth to valuing life and life-sustaining systems. He explained the concept of green building, detailing its environmental and economic benefits, and shared his personal journey from real estate development to becoming a leader in the green building movement. The discussion also touched on the challenges of climate change, the limitations of current sustainability efforts, and the potential role of AI in helping humanity evolve and address environmental issues. David concluded with a hopeful outlook, encouraging personal reflection and action to align with a more sustainable and truthful way of living.

Learn more and get the book: https://regen360.net/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

In this episode, I sit down withAustin Galante— an independent filmmaker, actor, musician, and podcast host — to talk about the realities of making art outside the traditional studio system. Austin shares insight into his recent and upcoming film work, including "Sanguine Teeth on a Driftless Road," now available on Tubi, while reflecting on the challenges of low-budget filmmaking, tight production schedules, casting, lighting, and building a creative life between Hollywood and the Midwest.

Our conversation also explores the changing landscape of film and music, including the rise ofAIand its complicated impact on creative industries. We compare film communities in Los Angeles, Portland, and the Midwest, discuss self-taped auditions versus in-person auditions, and reflect on what it takes to keep creating in independent space.

https://tubitv.com/movies/100060857/sanguine-teeth-on-a-driftless-road

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

Rob Brownstein is a working actor with a long resume that includes movies such as Michael and The Last Appeal and numerous television appearances including Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Shrink Next Door, Young Sheldon, Star Trek: Discovery and many more. Rob shared his journey into acting, starting with poetry readings in Ethiopia and eventually switching from music to drama after his jazz major was cut. He discussed his career, balancing acting with teaching at his studio, An Actor Space, since 2011. Rob spoke about the business side of acting, the importance of agents, and the need to treat one's career as a long-term endeavor. He gave insights into auditioning and preparing for roles, emphasizing the importance of reacting in the moment rather than rote memorization. Rob also reflected on the competitive nature of the industry and the joy of working with talented directors and actors. He mentioned upcoming projects, including a film called "The Rooster Prince," and his commercial workshop for actors aged 50 and over. The conversation touched on the therapeutic aspects of acting and the pressures of the profession.

https://www.anactorsspace.com

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0115282/?ref_=fn_t_1

Had a great conversation with author Dick Wybrow. We discussed his writing career, background in radio and television production, and his move to New Zealand. Wybrow shared insights into his writing process, the challenges and rewards of independent publishing, and his latest book, "The Facilite Con." He explained his approach to editing, working with beta readers, and the importance of writing what he enjoys rather than chasing market trends. We also talked about the evolution of media, the technical aspects of podcasting and broadcasting, and the balance between polished production and embracing chaos in live settings. Wybrow reflected on his experiences in the industry, the potential for his books to be adapted for screen, and the value of connecting with readers. We also covered a range of topics, from personal anecdotes to broader discussions on creativity, storytelling, and the changing landscape of media and publishing.

Here is where to find out more and get the books! https://www.dickwybrow.com/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

#133 – "You're Going to Die, But Not Me." With Liz Scott

This time I spoke with Liz Scott, a psychologist and author, about her latest book "You're Going to Die, But Not Me." We discussed how her personal experiences with death - including her husband's death in 1999, her mother's death in 2004, and her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2014 - inspired her three-year research journey into understanding mortality. We talked about near-death experiences, different theories about consciousness and the afterlife, burial and cremation practices, and cultural attitudes toward death across different religions and philosophies. Liz shared how her research reduced her fear of dying by about 10-15% and we discussed her writing process which takes about two and a half years per book. She prefers coffee shops with background noise instead of a quiet writing space at home. The conversation also touched on Liz's previous memoir "This Never Happened" and her challenges with book promotion, concluding with information about where listeners could connect with her through her website and Substack.

More here: https://www.lizscottwriter.com/

https://lizscottwriter.substack.com/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

EP 130 with Dave Mowry, on a journey of living with severe mental illness and how he found healing and purpose through stand-up comedy. Dave discussed his background as a successful businessman, his psychotic break, and the 14 years he spent struggling with deep depression and anxiety. He explained how taking a stand-up comedy class for people with mental illness transformed his life, leading him to teach and perform comedy focused on mental health. Dave described the impact of his work, including teaching at the Oregon State Hospital and helping others reframe their experiences through humor. He also talked about his books, "OMG, That's Me" and "Healing with Humor," and the positive reception they've received. The conversation covered the challenges and rewards of comedy, the importance of listening, and the power of humor in breaking stigma around mental illness. Dave shared personal stories, including his approach to coping with mental health challenges and his thoughts on suicide, emphasizing the value of connection and not feeling alone. The discussion also touched on social media, the comedy scene, and the role of creativity in recovery.

https://davemowry.wpcomstaging.com/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/

#129 This was a great conversation with Liam Begley, author of the sci-fi novel "Broken Interstellar: A Union Worker Space Opera." We discussed his writing process, which took about a decade to complete, and his decision to self-publish after being unable to secure an agent. The conversation covered Liam's background in the film industry and how his experiences there influenced his approach to writing about union workers and logistics in space. They explored themes of power, authority, and organizational structures in both science fiction and real-world contexts, including discussions about anarchism, labor relations, and the challenges of maintaining personal agency within larger systems. The interview also touched on topics like AI development, the evolution of communication technologies, and various science fiction concepts including Star Trek's different series and their approaches to storytelling.

https://www.liambegley.ca/

🎙️ Were You Still Talking? is hosted by Joel Albrecht – actor, content creator, and curious conversationalist. New episodes drop regularly wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to be a guest on Were You Still Talking?? Send Joel Albrecht a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17479536339826768613f136d

Music for all episodes by Jon Griffin.

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugOLERePPuD4nwtZO-Zwnw?view_as=subscriber

My Instagram: @joelyshmoley

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/wereyoustilltalking/