Were You Still Talking?
Episode #100 – Albert Bramante: Hypnosis, Agents & Managing Self-Doubt In this special centennial episode, I’m joined by Albert Bramante, Ph.D. — talent agent, hypnosis & NLP practitioner, psychology expert, working with actors and creatives to push past mental barriers. We went deep: acting, agents, hypnosis, and even near-death experiences (NDEs). Here’s what we unpacked. What We Talk About · Who is Albert Bramante: his background as a psychology Ph.D, his work as a talent agent and coach for actors and creatives. ...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #99 – John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits In this episode, I talk with John DeDakis — former White House correspondent, longtime journalist, editor at CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, now novelist, writing coach, and editor. We unpack what it means to tell stories in news versus fiction, the hard lessons behind writing & rewriting, and how editing makes (or breaks) everything. We cover: · What it was like being a White House correspondent (including covering presidents, handling...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #98 – Mike Schwab: Lights, Laughs & Local Skies This week I sit down with Mike Schwab — a writer, actor, comedian, and short film creator who also happens to spend part of his days observing the weather at the local airport. (Yes, that’s a real job, and yes, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds.) We talk about the creative grind: from the challenges of writing and producing short films to the rush of comedy and the craft of acting. Mike shares stories from the stage, the page, and behind the camera, giving us a glimpse into the unpredictable life of a storyteller. And...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #97 – Alan Lazaros Had an amazing conversation with Alan Lazaros, co-founder and co-host of Next Level University. We dove deep into the art (and science) of personal development, turning big dreams into actionable goals, and why self-improvement is a lifelong game worth playing. Alan shared how he overcame a near-death car accident to completely reinvent his life, build a thriving business, and help thousands of people design theirs. We talked about the power of consistency, why your environment matters more than you think, how to spot the “hidden ceilings” holding you back,...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #96 – Chuck McGee III: Breathing Through the Ice and Everything Else This one’s a deep breath in and a blast of cold air out. Chuck McGee III—aka @icedvikingbreathworks—joins me for a wild and wide-ranging conversation about breathwork, recovery, resilience, and the power of the cold. Chuck is a certified Wim Hof Method instructor who has helped thousands reconnect to their breath, their bodies, and their purpose—sometimes through submerging themselves in icy water. But Chuck’s journey isn’t all frozen rivers and calm breathing. We talk about his early life fighting in...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
🎧 Were You Still Talking? – Episode 95: Brad Elder – Thrillers, Texas & Starting Over In this episode, we cover everything from his law firm to writing his first novel to quitting smoking—and yes, even the passing of Ozzie Osbourne. Author Brad Elder joins me to talk about his debut legal thriller Recoil of Justice, and how he went from Texas businessman (who never rode a horse) to published novelist. We get into the realities of self-publishing, the surprising highs of giving up nicotine, and what it’s like to start a whole new creative chapter later in life. This one’s...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Were You Still Talking? – Episode 94: Tim Thomas – Breath, Sharks, and Peaceful Sleep In Episode 94, I sit down with the deeply insightful and endlessly interesting Tim Thomas—a man who’s swum with sharks, brewed coffee for fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, and now teaches people how to breathe their way to better lives (and better sleep). This conversation flows from adrenaline rush to stillness. We talk about adventure and presence, the healing power of nature, what it means to let go, and how something as simple as breathing can reset your nervous system and your life. Tim shares...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode 93 – Kevin Palmieri | Leveling Up, Staying Consistent, and Getting (a Little) Off Topic In this episode of Were You Still Talking?, I chat with Kevin Palmieri—CFO, co-host, and co-creator of Next Level University—about his journey from hitting rock bottom to building a globally-ranked podcast and coaching brand focused on self-improvement and consistency. We talk about what it really takes to grow, the power of habits, and how showing up every day (even when it’s hard) creates real results. Of course, in true WYST fashion, we take a few detours—expect off-topic...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #92 Robert J. Wolf 🎙️ Episode 92 – Dr. Robert J. Wolf: Survival, Family, and the Fight for Freedom In this powerful conversation, I talk with Dr. Robert J. Wolf—neuroradiologist, speaker, and author of Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom. We explore the astonishing true story of his father, Ervin Wolf, who escaped both Nazi terror and Communist persecution in a series of harrowing, near-miraculous events. Robert shares how he turned his family's history into a gripping narrative, the challenges of writing deeply personal...
info_outlineWere You Still Talking?
Episode #91 Alan Katz Well that was a blast. Had a great conversation with AL Katz about his journey through Hollywood and beyond. We got into his time writing for iconic shows like Tales from the Crypt, working with legends like Robert Zemeckis and Walter Hill, navigating the wild world of TV and film production, and why he walked away from it all. We also dove into The Donor: A Modern Horror Story, his deeply personal and harrowing true story that blends medical mystery with psychological thriller—an incredible example of real life being stranger (and scarier) than fiction. AL opened up...
info_outlineWow that was fantastic! What a great conversation with Taylor Morden, writer director producer and as it turns out neighbor. His documentaries include “The Last Blockbuster”, “Ska In The 90s”, “Unstuffed: A Build-A-Bear Story”, and soon to be released I hope “Getting Lost” a lost documentary. We talked about how he got started making documentaries, how he writes, how he edits, reaching out to celebrities, how important the sound is and much much more. Hope to have him back on the show soon.
Some links:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/getting-lost-documentary#/
https://www.buildabear.com/unstuffed-movie
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/
#Podcasting
#unstuffed
#TheLastBlockbuster
#Build-a-bear
#Documentary
#Moviemaking