Notable Guest Appearances on
the Better To Podcast
Ian Dench - EMF - Grammy and Golden Globe Nominated Song Writer
EMF British dance-rock quintet, EMF formed in Cinderford, England, in October 1989. All five original members were veterans of the local music scene before founding EMF, whose name supposedly stood for “Epsom Mad Funkers" (although it was widely speculated that the initials instead represented "Ecstasy Mother Fuckers"). Within two months of formation, the group played its first gig; after unearthing a Casio sampler and sequencer in a local thrift shop, a light techno element was added to their rock-oriented sound. Their debut album, SCHUBERT DIP, was released in May 1991. It was certified platinum (over a million copies sold) in the US in September 1991. It had reached a peak chart position of #3 in the UK and #12 in the US, as well as finishing the year at #57 overall.
Limahl - Singer
Winning the hearts of millions of fans in the ‘80s as the lead singer of British band Kajagoogoo, Limahl enjoyed the instant celebrity of hitting the top of the charts with their debut single "Too Shy" (75million+ streams to date) which was followed by two more Top 20 hits "Ooh To Be Ah" and "Hang On Now" (all of which he co-wrote). Limahl struck out on his own and soon re-emerged in the charts again with his first solo single "Only For Love," That was quickly followed with the Giorgio Moroder–produced worldwide smash "Neverending Story" (151million+ streams to date)," the theme song from the hit film of the same name.
Richard Sparks - Author- Screen Writer
Born in England, and a graduate of Oxford University (Exeter College, where, like both JRR Tolkien and Philip Pullman before him, he studied English Language and Literature), Richard started out as a writer of stage plays, comedy revues, and TV, for such shows as Not the Nine O’clock News. Rowan Atkinson performed his Schoolmaster sketch in John Cleese’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball. UK TV credits include The Famous Five, The Flying Kiwi, The Optimist, The Worst of Hollywood, and a lot of script editing. On being hired by Columbia Pictures TV, Richard moved with his family to Los Angeles. His lyrics have been recorded by talents such as Dom de Luise, Eric Idle, Vanessa Williams, and Plácido Domingo.
John Wayne S. III - Writer - Director
John Wayne S. III (JW) is a consummate storyteller, producer, and director, boasting an illustrious career in the entertainment industry over two decades. His unique blend of film and music expertise has endowed him with an exceptional ability to craft narratives that captivate audiences. JW's venture into the entertainment world began modestly as a production assistant on George Tillman's debut film, "Scenes for the Soul." This early exposure ignited his passion for filmmaking, setting the foundation for a remarkable career path.
Tracy Bonham - Grammy Nominated Singer
Tracy Bonham is a classically trained violinist and pianist turned alternative singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1996 with her twice GRAMMY™nominated album, The Burdens of Being Upright(Island Records). This debut album cast Bonham into the global spotlight with MTV fame and major radio airplay with her #1 alternative chart-topping song Mother Mother, an anthem for disgruntled teenagers of all ages. While so many of her songs have been placed in film and TV throughout the decades, you might have most recently heard Mother Mother in Yellow Jackets season 1 episode 2.
Steve Smith of The Vapors - Bassists
Best known for their massive 1980 worldwide hit “Turning Japanese” The Vapors continue to bring their individually styled brand of music to fans old and new in the form of high-quality live performances and the ongoing development of critically acclaimed new material. The band, formed in 1979, had already gained a substantial live following around their hometown of Guildford, Surrey and in London, when they were brought to large UK audiences with their support slot on The Jam’s iconic 1979 “Setting Sons” tour, by then managed by The Jam’s Bruce Foxton and Paul Weller’s father John.
Bridget Barkan - Singer- Actress
Bridget Barkan is a chameleon artist who shape-shifts through genre and style with a thread of raw truth and soul, woven into every melody and lyric. A native New Yorker, she has toured the world with pop/glam band Scissor Sisters and has performed with Bright Light Bright Light and Slow Knights. Starring in LGBTQ romantic classic “Walk with Me,” as a singer/songwriter, featured on the original album as well. As a singer, she has also opened for Lady Gaga, and has shared the stage with Drag legends Joey Arias, Murray Hill, and more. She worked closely with Baz Luhrmann as the voice of Misty Holloway on the Netflix show “The Get Down.” Bridget has released singles with the House DJ/producer legend Todd Terry as well as numerous of her own singles. As a child actress, she has appeared in countless commercials and Sesame Street. She has starred in HBO’s Everyday People, Sherrybaby, Redacted, God’s Pocket, Steven Soderbergh’s The Knick and had a recurring role as a one-legged “hooker” on Law & Order: SVU. On stage, Barkan has appeared in numerous productions including Dog Sees God and alongside Lea Michelle in a workshop of Spring Awakening.
Chris Berardo - Singer
Chris Berardo is another artist whose life hasn't been the easiest. He was on a MAJOR upswing career-wise a decade ago before the dreaded cancer reared its ugly head. He was forced to abandon his music career to take care of himself, but now, after a decade of fighting, he is releasing his first album since... and it's a great one. A consummate and charismatic performer, Berardo's smoky voice and lived-in tales have charmed audiences from intimate acoustic shows to full-blown theater concerts, often opening for some of his idols, including The Doobie Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, and America.
Danny Saber - Music Producer
Danny Saber stops by the podcast to discuss his latest release with the late Micheal Hutchence and his relationship with Michael. We discuss how he chose his musical path, other artists he worked with, and more. **** In the great pantheon of musicians transcending mere “celebrity” status, the late MICHAEL HUTCHENCE towers over most. A consummate “rock star” if there ever was one, he embodied the spirit and smoldering swagger of rock ‘n’ roll while possessing one of the most iconic voices in the contemporary music scene. So, it was with an earth-rattling shudder when tragically he passed away in 1997, leaving a mind-numbingly impressive legacy across the entertainment realm. What many didn’t know, however, is that he left some of his brilliance behind in the form of unreleased music. Producer, musician, and personal friend DANNY SABER (Madonna, Rolling Stones, U2) has completed some of these musical pieces to continue and extend Hutchence’s impact. The new single “ONE WAY” was released, on April 5, 2024, via Boss Sonics.
Chris Cuffaro - Photographer
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris to discuss some of his iconic photos and the stories behind them. ****** Over the past 50 years, Chris’ signature work with a galaxy of A-List actors, models, athletes and musicians has helped them define their public image while establishing his reputation as one of the most respected photographers in the entertainment industry. Drawn to the excitement of music as a teenager growing up in Northern California, Chris began his career by shooting local rock shows for fun. He quickly graduated to headlining acts and, since moving to Los Angeles in the early 1980’s, has worked with a massive catalog of performers in the music and entertainment industry. He has shot the best of the best in the music world including ground-breaking bands like Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, George Michael, Iggy Pop, No Doubt, Henry Rollins, Elvis Costello, Fiona Apple, Scott Weiland and Soundgarden. These images have regularly appeared in Rolling Stone, Spin, RayGun, Vibe, Musician as well as on the covers of more than 300 record albums and CDs.
Rob Mabry - Producer, Director, Writer
Rob Marby and I discuss filmmaking and his bucket list project, The Legend of El Chupacabra. ***** Rob Mabry was born on November 22, 1966, in San Antonio, Texas. He spent the better part of his youth in Bavaria (Germany), where his parents both worked for the US government. He developed a love of movies at an early age through countless hours spent at Sunday matinees on the tiny Air Force base in Bad Aibling, Germany where he lived. His father owned an 8mm movie camera and often enlisted his son in home movie projects. The spark was lit. Mabry spent his formative years indulging his passion for storytelling. He developed his comic books, wrote plays for his friends to perform, and when his dad was feeling generous; he borrowed the 8mm movie camera and experimented making movies. In the eighties, Mabry enlisted in the US Army and joined a public affairs unit as a military journalist. While highly regarded as a writer, he found the life of a soldier to be rigid and ill-suited to his non-conformist attitude. Eventually, he and the Army would part ways. In his twenties, Mabry pursued a career as a screenwriter. He wrote several spec scripts that garnered limited attention. Living in Atlanta and outside the Hollywood system, prospects were dim and he resolved to focus on a career that would support his family.
Presley Tennant - Season 16 of The Voice
Presley discusses her musical journey, the importance of loyalty in her relationships, and so much more. **** Radiant and fearless, Presley Tennant is the result of unequivocal talent and California ease. Dubbed a “vocal powerhouse” by Taste of Country, People Magazine states Presley is “quickly proving that she is a wild card in the country music industry.” Rooted in the classics, the Horsetown, USA (aka Norco, CA) native immersed herself in Country Music following her national appearance on The Voice at just 16 years old. Determined to make her own way in the industry, Tennant teamed up with some of the industry’s top creatives to produce her own version of California-Country, melding together Western lifestyle, her unparalleled powerhouse vocals, traditional roots, and modern energy.
Carmen Capuano - Author, Screen Writer
At 18, Carmen packed 5 bags and took the train to London. She didn’t know anyone, just that she had a dream and she knew she was never going back home. All these years later she is a published author, as well as a television and film writer. She and a friend are now embarking on opening their own production company. It’s a pretty interesting and brave journey. ********* Born into poverty in Glasgow, Scotland, Carmen Capuano moved to England at the age of eighteen. A full and varied working life saw her relocate from London to Birmingham, and finally to the small Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, where she still resides with her children and rescue animals. Critically acclaimed for her writing, Carmen has brought her unique style of intricate character exposition, blended with moving and intricate plots, to her screenplays. Currently, she has a BFI Network-supported film in development and a variety of other film and TV projects in pre-production with key industry figures. She has also recently been commissioned to polish and refine several Hollywood scripts. A prolific writer, she has penned more than twenty screenplays and as many novels in just eight years, covering every genre from rom-com to science fiction. Her plan is to use the profits from her work to provide global care and help needy animals.
Gary Fahey - Former Bodyguard
Gary and I discuss what it was like to be on the Australian Prime Ministers Protection Team and the fact he spent 18 years with the Australian Federal Police. However, it wasn’t all glory. Gary silently struggled with a major depressive disorder and gambling addiction that cost him almost $2 million, his career, his reputation, and had him very close to taking my own life. **** From mistake maker to responsibility taker, Gary spent almost 20 years with the Australian Federal Police building a career that included such prestigious roles as leading the team responsible for the close protection of Australia’s Prime Minister, managing the Office of Commissioner, international liaison, and orchestrating several overseas missions. Riding high but living a lie, in late 2016 disaster struck. Delivered by his own hand, Gary’s life collapsed around him as years silently and privately battling mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and addiction spiraled out of control. Gary’s destruction had cost almost two million dollars, his family, his career, his reputation, and by the time his story leaked to the media there was nowhere else to hide. It became obvious to him there were only two ways out. Battling the darkest of demons Gary began the process of understanding EVERYTHING he could about his behaviour, his habits, his escape, and himself. It was punishing, it was painful but it was positive. Gary learned from, worked with, and trained under experts from around the world and over the course of 18 months developed his own systems, structure, and stability to turn his own life around. Knowing all too well he couldn’t 'saw sawdust' and change the past, Gary has made it his sole focus to do the ‘next right thing’ and focus forward, continuing to work on himself by dedicating his efforts to helping as many ‘blokes’ as he can avoid finding the depths that he did, or helping to drag them out through a mix of honesty, experience, and action..
Merchant - Producer, Composer, Singer
Merchant and I discuss his latest single Lose Somebody and the inspiration behind it. We talk about his collaboration with Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Dead Days & Gatorade, and Don’t Feel Like Dancing. We also discuss his Better To Moment and the risk he took to follow his musical dream. ***** LOS ANGELES - Arriving September 29th, ’Lose Somebody’ is the third single from Merchant’s (Nate Merchant)upcoming, debut EP produced with the legendary bassist of Duran Duran, John Taylor. As with Merchant’s previous summer singles, ‘Dead Days & Gatorade’ and ‘Don’t Feel Like Dancing’, the tender melody of ‘Lose Somebody’ invites the exploration of identity while managing to keep hips swaying. This happy-sounding song paired with a deep subject is the delicate “musical-double” that Merchant accomplishes with assurance and sensitivity. ‘Lose Somebody’ combines a percolating beat, sparkling synths, and a full-throated vocal into an earnest lament about the loss of love, loss of self, and loss of life. “This song is about a relationship I was in where I had given my all to someone and eventually lost myself in the process. In a broader sense I hope this song resonates with anyone who has lost someone or been through a similar relationship,” remarks Merchant.
Ricky Duran - The Voice Season 17 Runner-Up
talk to Ricky about his latest single “Star” and the inspiration behind it. He tells me how being on The Voice changed his life. He also has some advice for those who are thinking about trying out for any reality singing show. On a somber note, we talk about the loss of his mother to breast cancer and his father and best friend to suicide. We’ll also talk about his inspiration for his music and more. ******** If you are someone you know is thinking about suicide please reach out for help. IF YOU ARE IN SUICIDAL CRISIS PLEASE CALL 800-273-TALK (8255) Ricky is a proud supporter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/AFSPnational/ ********* Bio: Ricky Duran garnered international attention with his soulful vocals, fiery guitar playing, and compelling performances on NBC’s The Voice. The Season 17 Runner-Up has since released a single charting at No. 1 on iTunes and sold-out shows, showing himself to be more than a fleeting show success - he retained fans and amassed more. He is an irrefutable talent and electrifying entertainer making music for the soul. His vulnerable songwriting and ability to capture an audience on and off stage transcends trends, while his musical abilities and influences spanning genres shows his music knows no bounds - he is timeless and a genuine creative that no label can penetrate..
Rhys Uhlich - Model, Actor, Surfer, Activist
Rhys and I chat about how he almost walked away from the life-changing Make Me A Supermodel competition. The reality show took him on a grand adventure that led him from Phillip Island, New York, Los Angeles, Bali, and between. When he returned to Australia, he settled back on Phillip Island, building his shed-style sustainable dream home. (By the way, he built it for about $117 in Australian money, roughly $60K to $70K in the US.) Besides his dream home and modeling, we talk about acting, swimming with whales, sunsets, the moving documentary he made, and much more.
Enrico Ravenna - Model, Actor
Enrico and I talk about his life as a model and actor as well as graduating with honors from Georgia State. He tells me what it takes to look good in an image and what his life is like in his downtime. ****** Enrico was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, and spent most of his life in the southern part of the country. He was a professional cyclist and competed and trained all over Europe until he joined the military at 18. After completing his military service, Enrico started his academic journey with the hopes to graduate with a political science degree. Because of a family tragedy when Enrico lost his mother, he moved to Italy, where he worked as the deputy to the head of security for the Jewish community of Milano. Italy marks a significant landmark in Enrico’s life since that is where he met his wife, Jasmine, and the reason for his move across the world. Jasmine convinced him to model as well. Enrico recently graduated from Georgia State with honors, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science. Also of note, he made the Dean’s list five times.