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Movies

Sep 13
Love10

Michael McLeavy

By Fun, Movies, Music, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

This week, we had an insightful discussion with Michael McLeavy, a renowned singer from Glasgow, Scotland, who shared his musical odyssey, from forming his own rock band to touring extensively. In the journey of life, it’s often our passions that guide us towards a fulfilling career path, and his story is one of determination and seizing opportunities, a testament to how impactful inspirations like Elvis Presley can shape our style and vision.

Tune in to hear more about how Michael and his ventures brought him into contact with notable personalities within the entertainment industry, further expanding his network.

A key takeaway? Be open to new experiences, as they may lead you down unexpected paths filled with potential growth opportunities.

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • The Birth of a Star
  • Rocking the World
  • Lights, Camera, Action!
  • A Beautiful Bond: A Relationship with Sharon Tate
  • Meeting an Icon: An Encounter With Elvis Presley
  • Island Life and Hustle: Work Experience In Hawaii
  • Wisdom Gained Along The Way: Life Lessons

Quotations:

“How can we do to improve ourselves? Well, you know, don’t let the old man in, as Clint Eastwood says, keep the old man out. Right. So do the things that you still like to do, that you did do, and within reason, do it.”  ~ Michael McLeavy

“I did it. Because the challenge was there. There’s always a challenge. You need some sort of challenge.” ~ Michael McLeavy

Guest’s Bio:

Michael McLeavy was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his journey in the world of music began with the renowned Rock N Roll band “The Fireflies.” He Came to the United States to further his career and to meet Elvis Presley in person. His fortune smiled upon him, as he had the incredible opportunity to spend the day with him on the set of one of his movies, “Spinout”, and backstage at the International (Hilton) in Las Vegas. Notably, Michael had the privilege of performing the American, Canadian, and British National Anthems at the Highland Games in Dana Point, California, on August 24th and 25th, 2013. Also, he had the distinct honor of delivering both the American and British National Anthems at the British American Business Council Orange County on December 2nd, 2016. Michael has lived in Dana Point with his wife, Linda, since 1989.

He is an Entertainer and just released his latest CD, “Try A Little Kindness” recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

Guest’s Contact Info:

You can find him here: https://www.facebook.com/michael.mcleavy/

Listen to his music on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/22Pvk4TXENi60w1RoN3gtv

Mar 29
Love1

Buzz Leer

By Fun, Movies, TV No Comments

This episode is sponsored by Habana Cuba. Get 15% off when you use the code “Gary” online or tell it to your server in person.

You’ve probably seen him on TV or heard his voice. He’s an actor, voice-over artist, model, and so much more. We talked about his career change from being a teacher to acting. We talked about what it was like to go on a date with cameras following him and even the doctor’s office!

Some of the places you might recognize him from:

⚡️ Chicago PD
⚡️ Chicago Med
⚡️ neXt
⚡️ American Greed
⚡️ House Detective

Feature Films:
⚡️ “Christmas is Cancelled” with Dermot Mulroney
⚡️ “Reveler” Shudder TV
⚡️ “Being Ian” Thomas Pace Productions
⚡️ ”Silent as a Grave” BP Productions

Also in this episode:

  • Taking an Uber to the hospital when he was having a heart attack
  • Dating in your 70s
  • Modeling

Watch the YouTube video:

Quotations:

“It’s gonna take a while. Right? And, and it’s doing that, and it’s funny because you are starting a new career, and you’re learning, even at this age, it’s gonna take a while.” Gary Scott Thomas

“I never had anything to do with a stage at all, all the way through high school.” ~Buzz Leer

“I haven’t had as much, uh, opportunity in TV, and that’s what I’m waiting for. I’m just waiting for that moment when they’re gonna give me that opportunity.” ~Buzz Leer

Bio:

Currently in Los Angeles, represented for TV/Film by Carole Dibo Talent Management, Taylor Talent Services for Commercial, Host… Represented in Chicago by Gray Talent Group (TV/Film)10 Management Agency and Looks Pro Models Chicago, IL, The Block Agency, Nashville, Moore Creative, Minneapolis, Betty’s Talent, Miami ….I am currently a working actor, model, voice-over artist, live event host. Moving to Chicago 6 years ago, my recent Chicago live theatre credits include; Citizen / Townsperson, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE at The Goodman Theatre, Doc Gibb OUR TOWN, Jamie I SAW MY NEIGHBOR ON THE TRAIN AND DIDN’T EVEN SMILE, and Swifty Lazar / Mike Wallace FROST/NIXON at The Redtwist Theatre. Alice Cooper in WAYNES WORLD and the Narrator in OFFICE SPACE at The Uptown Underground Theatre. TV credits include NEXT, Fox TV, Guest Star, Chicago PD, Guest Star, several national/local commercials, and infomercials, and was the Host of HGTV’S HOUSE DETECTIVE for five seasons (65 episodes). Multiple Short and Feature Films, including the most recent low-budget SAG Film, BEING IAN, Supporting Actor, and upcoming Supporting Role in SILENT AS THE GRAVE.

A Minneapolis, MN native and a graduate of The University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND ( BFA Degree/ Acting / Communication).

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Jul 27
Love2

“Paco” Chierici

By Author, Fun, Military, Movies No Comments

If you loved Top Gun, you’re going to love this episode! F-14 Fighter Pilot Francesco “Paco” Chierici joins Gary Scott Thomas to get our adrenaline going by taking us through the excitement of a “dog fight.” Oh, and did we mention he’s an author, trainer, and video game script writer? He’s lived quite a life so far!

**A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of engagement between fighter aircraft

In This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

  • How he got the name Paco
  • Being the FNG 
  • What Gforce feels like
  • Dog fights*
  • How to prevent the air from getting the air sucked out of his lungs
  • If there’s a fear 
  • The violence in the cockpit
  • The artistry involved in an aerial dog fight
  • How many people it takes to carry out the mission
  • The real legacy of the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. military to die in a crash
  • How he navigated the geopolitical aspects of the book
  • His thoughts on drones’ effects on pilots
  • One of the coolest moments he experienced
  • Being a fighter pilot trainer
  • Writing a script for a video game
  • His book Lions of the Sky

Quotations:

“I’m one of the very few people in the Navy who never actually got a call sign. I just used my nickname the whole time. So I, they tried. I even crashed an airplane. They couldn’t come up with a call sign.” ~Paco Chierici

“I don’t know why I write. I don’t know why; I just can’t not write.” ~Paco Chierici

“I started when I was 21. I didn’t have any fear. I mean, not really. I had a fear of failure more than anything, but I wasn’t afraid of crashing an airplane.” ~Paco Chierici

“It is so fun. It just washes everything else away. There’s nothing like the feeling of going like 700 miles an hour, a hundred feet off the ground, weaving through a canyon to make you feel Bulletproof.” ~Paco Chierici

“Some famous athlete said, you know, an athlete dies twice, right.” ~Paco Chierici

“You die when you stop playing your sport, and you die when you die, obviously. And that’s the same for a fighter pilot. If you’re lucky, you die twice. If you don’t die flying an airplane, you have to hang up your boots. And that sucks because you feel like you’re giving up something that you’ve dedicated your entire life to.” ~Paco Chierici

“The way I write and the way I tell stories is that I want the reader or the viewer, like with the documentary, to feel like they’re involved in the story.” ~Paco Chierici

Guest’s Bio:

During his active duty career in the U.S. Navy, Francesco “Paco” Chierici flew A-6E Intruders and F-14A Tomcats, deployed to conflict zones from Somalia to Iraq, and was stationed aboard carriers including the USS Ranger, Nimitz, and Kitty Hawk. Throughout his military career, Paco accumulated 3,000 tactical hours, 400 carrier landings, a Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, and three Strike/Flight Air Medals. Unable to give up dogfighting, he flew the F-5 Tiger II for a further ten years as a Bandit.

Guest’s Contact Info:

https://www.lionsofthesky.com

Jun 22
Love0

Dylan White

By Author, Comedian, Fun, Movies, Sci-Fi No Comments

You know how big of an audiobook fan I am, and I know many of y’all are, too. So, I had to bring Dylan White on my podcast! He’s an author, actor, comedian, and even played the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin musical! Plus, I’m sure you’ve heard his voice on national commercials.

We talked about a variety of things, including Will Smith and aliens. This conversation was so interesting, it flew by! If you’re a fan of Sci-Fi, be sure to listen!

Also in this episode:

  • Being an odd kid
  • Knowing your audience
  • How he came up with the idea for his first book The Orion Abduction.
  • The art of narration (where he would project his voice from to change the sound for each character)
  • Why he didn’t watch the version of Aladdin with Will Smith in it
  • Aliens
  • His writing process
  • Having a teenage girl’s insight
  • The biggest secret skill a man can use when arguing with a woman
  • The technicality of comedy
  • Offending people during comedy shows
  • Looking at the universe from our limited perspective

Quotations:

“I wasn’t like a normal kid.” ~Dylan White

“You gotta know your audience.” ~Dylan White

“The technicality of comedy; you wanna get more laughs per minute or per set as you can. And if it takes you too long to get to your next punch or your next laugh line, you’ll lose an audience.” ~Dylan White

“I didn’t see it [Will Smith’s Aladdin].” ~Dylan White

“I’ve always been fascinated with aliens and UFOs and abductions.” ~Dylan White

“What if we’re the weird ones [instead of aliens]” ~Dylan White

Bio:

After over 10 years of playing the Genie in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure, Dylan is “out of the blue”—but only in terms of the costume and makeup. Dylan has been on the standup scene for quite some time and uses his snarky Gen-X sensibility to share his unique perspective on divorce, dating after fifty, depression, and everything in between. He is also a successful author and voiceover artist so be sure to follow him on his social media. But not on the street. That’s creepy.

Guest’s Contact Info:

https://www.dylanwhite.com/

Instagram username
@itsdylanwhite

Amazon page