This episode is with the wonderful Nanette Orellana! We talk about her moving to Argentina as a kid, growing up doing gymnastics, moving back to the states to coach, going to New York to model, what it’s like working on commercials, making her own clothing line, the importance of trusting the process and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Nanette! Instagram/Youtube/TikTok: @nanetteorellana Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @Pod...
Jul 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min
This episode is with my friend Amanda Gallace! She is an actor, a nurse, an artist, and an all around wonderful person. We talk about her time as a nurse, backpacking across Europe and Ireland, camping in the Serengeti National Park, working in the Covid ICU at the start of the pandemic, volunteering to lend medical help in Ukraine, how nursing has helped her acting and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Amanda! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amandagallace IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12419656/ Follow...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 13 min
This episode is with my very good friend, phenomenal makeup artist and one of the best actors I have ever worked with, Tatum Bates. We talk about her recent experience at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, her first film audition, how she got into makeup, how we met, working together on our different projects and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Tatum: https://www.tatumbates.com/ Instagram: @tatum.bates Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tatumthebates Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianba...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 28 min
This episode is with martial artist and stunt performer, Phi-Long Nguyen! We talk about him coming to the states as a refugee, a crazy black market tattoo story, different martial arts he’s done, working at theme parks, how he got into stunts, skills every stunt performer should have and so much more! Follow Phi! Instagram: @phistunts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhiStunt Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @P...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 42 min
This episode is with the wonderful Sara Secora! We talk about the importance of a work-life balance, dealing with her disabilities since childhood, writing The Amethysta trilogy, her time as a YouTuber, playing Avi the Space Cat in Boonie Bears, being nominated for a SOVAS award, writing The Anywhere Voice Actor and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Sara! Twitter: @SaraSecoraVO Instagram: @sara.secora www.sarasecora.com Check out THE ANYWHERE VOICE ACTOR: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZLMRZ3N Follow B...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 19 min
This episode is with my acting coach, Jeremy Hall! We talk about him growing up playing guitar, starting in the games industry as a game tester, moving to NY for a year, how he got into casting, what it’s like directing as a freelancer, his love of teaching actors and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Jeremy! Instagram: @instajhall Twitter: @JeremyHall_Twit www.jeremyhallvo.com Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest ...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 30 min
This episode is with actor, stunt performer, world-champion martial artist and my friend, David Anthony Buglione! We talk about his grandfather putting him in martial arts at 7 years old, going pro at 18, becoming a world champion, how he got into stunts, the key to crashing a car into a tree safely, Playing Agent Johnson in Daredevil, getting lit on fire in Gotham, his journey with Gaslight Cafe and SO MUCH MORE! Follow David! Instagram: @DaveBuglione IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2013981/ ...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 26 min
This episode is with the DELIGHTFUL Julia Bianco Schoeffling! We talk about her recent trip to Costa Rica, her growing up in New York City, moving to LA for college, starting out at Treyarch, learning on the job, how she got into casting, venturing out with her own company The Halp Network, not being afraid of failure, the process of writing her book and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Julia! Instagram/Twitter/Facebook:@JuliaBSCasting www.juliabs.com Check out Julia's book! The Art and Business of Acting f...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min
This episode is the 3RD APPEARANCE of the LEGENDARY Randall Duk Kim! We talk about what’s happened since his last appearance, reflecting on his past, dealing with AI, why art is so important, his feelings on his latest production of Tartuffe, things he’s proud of from his life and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Patreon.com/JediBrian for early releases!
May 11, 2024•59 min
This episode is with the fantastic Hawk Walts! We talk about him watching the solar eclipse with his family in Texas, moving around as a kid, working for a news station, doing stunt shows at Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studio AND Disneyland ALL AT THE SAME TIME, Moving to Georgia from LA, booking The Hulk on Marvel’s Avengers without knowing what the job was, throwing around Tom Hiddleston in Loki and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Hawk! Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @blitzkrieghawx Follow Brian! Instagram/...
Apr 20, 2024•1 hr 53 min
This episode is with Sifu Tracy Fleming! We talk about him training in martial arts from the time he was 6, being inspired by Bruce Lee, Learning different styles of Kung Fu, competing and winning gold in China, how he got into fight choreography, the spiritual side of martial arts and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Tracy! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.fleming.370 Instagram: @tmfwu360 Try Tracy's herbal teas here: https://ancestral-teas-of-eden.square.site/ Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @Jed...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min
This episode is with the FIRST friend I ever made IN MY LIFE, JD Raub! We talk about how we met, how he became a Manchester United fan, what it’s like working in a marina, starting his own woodworking business, the process behind the different things he makes and SO MUCH MORE! Go to cedarbaywoodworks.com and let him know I sent you for a 10% discount! Follow JD! Instagram: @CedarBayWoodworks Tiktok: @jdizlejd www.cedarbaywoodworks.com Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 11 min
This episode is with the wonderful and hilarious Sara Cravens! We talk about her growing up playing basketball, her musical comedy duo Sara and Andrew, working on The Young and the Restless, booking her first game, singing in a Slaughter cover band, her love of Lionel Ritchie and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Sara! Instagram/Twitter: @ThatsSoCravens www.saracravens.com Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest www.p...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 32 min
This episode is with the delightful Myrna Velasco! We talk about her recent trip to India, her deep love of Yoga, how she got into acting, working on Elena of Avalor, Star Wars Resistance, DC Super Hero Girls, the importance of cultural representation and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Myrna! Instagram: @myrnzilla Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Support the show and get early releases! www.patreon.com/JediB...
Feb 16, 2024•2 hr 12 min
This episode is with the super-talented artist behind Pugnacious Pins, Peter Ngaou! We talk about how he got into art, balancing art and commerce, what goes into making his enamel pins, working with Pug Nation Rescue of LA and Pug Rescue of Korea, how he recently started fostering, coming into your own as an artist and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Peter! Instagram: @pugnacious.pins www.pugnaciouspins.com Check out Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles! Instagram: @pugnationla Twitter: @PugNationRescue https:...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Happy 8 years of The Interesting Podcast! Today's guest is the WONDERFUL Max Randolph. We talk about him growing up on a cattle ranch, how he got started working with metal, the importance of passion, the piece he’s more proud of, creating his character Biri for The Unpredicted Party and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Max! Instagram/TikTok: @max_randolph_studios Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maxrandolphstudios Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFRf6pmuOdjmqXA05DmRBg Facebook: https://www.faceb...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 24 min
Today's guest is the incredible Darragh O’Farrell! We talk about him originally being from Ireland, moving to LA, starting as a runner at an animation company, his first time directing, bluffing his way into a job at Lucasarts, working on Knights of the Old Republic, advice for upcoming directors and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Darragh! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darragh-o-farrell-32946/ Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Ins...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min
This episode is with my friend Kevin Yost! We talk about working through the pandemic, originally wanting to be a herpetologist, how he got into editing, working at a trailer house, how technology has changed over the years, getting his job at Lucasfilm and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Kevin! Instagram: @trailer__dude Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest patreon.com/JediBrian
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 18 min
This episode is with the AWESOME Seth Allyn Austin! We talk about him living in Hawaii as a kid, getting into martial arts at 9 years old, juggling being an actor and a stunt performer, training with Arthur Mendoza, creating his own stuff with his wife and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Seth! Instagram @SethAllynAustin https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNDqcV482BII60RSTw1P_Q Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Get ...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 28 min
This episode is with the incredible America Young! We talk about her moving around a bunch as a kid, starting out in stunts, directing her first feature, taking on the role of Barbie, playing Batgirl in Gotham Knights and SO MUCH MORE! Follow America! Instagram/Twitter: @America_Young americayoung.com Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Get early releases by supporting patreon.com/JediBrian
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 22 min
This episode is with the RADIANT gem-of-a-human-being, Judy Alice Lee! We talk about her growing up in LA, moving to Colorado, starting out at a music recording studio, how she got into VO, almost drowning while filming a music video and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Judy! Instagram/Twitter: @JudyAliceLee judyalicelee.com Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest patreon.com/JediBrian
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 22 min
This episode is with the DELIGHTFUL Sandra Saad! We talk about her celebrating New Years in Italy, spending her summers in Egypt growing up, getting to play at the Greek Theatre with her band, the differences between performing music and acting, her love of Brendan Fraser and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Sandra! Instagram/Twitter: @sandraramzysaad Follow her band, Eye of the Sun! Instagram: @eyeofthesun Twitter/Youtube: @eyeofthesunband Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com F...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min
This episode's guest is Loretta Bell… my mom! We talk about her being the youngest of 9, always wanting to have kids, surviving a house fire, meeting my dad, living on a farm, moving to Florida, not letting your past define you and SO MUCH MORE! She doesn't have any social media, so... Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Patreon.com/JediBrian
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 14 min
This episode is with the fantastic Todd Stashwick! We talk about him growing up in Chicago, the Stashwick gaming table, auditioning for SNL, reigniting his love of D&D, playing a Starfleet captain on Picard and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Todd! Instagram: @tstashwick Twitter: @ToddStashwick Check out his nerdy wares at wwwthenerdcircus.com ! Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Patreon.com/JediBrian
Mar 07, 2023•50 min
This episode is the FOURTH appearance of Tom Wilton! We talk about working after quarantine, the novels he’s been writing, getting the role of Sarris in Willow, sword fighting Christian Slater, the importance of never giving up and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Tom! Twitter: @TomKWilton Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest Patreon.com/JediBrian
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 41 min
This episode is with the delightful and talented Andrew Duhon! We talk about Mardi Gras King Cakes, growing up playing baseball, learning to play guitar right handed, his writing process, becoming a trio, the upcoming Tourin' Tour and SO MUCH MORE! Check out andrewduhon.com for tour dates! Follow Andrew! Instagram/Twitter: @AndrewDuhon www.andrewduhon.com Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest patreon.co...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 19 min
This episode is with the DELIGHTFUL Chip Beaman! We talk about his time as a nightclub promoter, getting into game testing, building a VO department from the ground up, the process of creating The Halp Network and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Chip! Instagram/Twitter: @purechipbeaman Check out The Halp Network! Instagram/Twitter: @TheHalpNetwork halpnet.com Follow Brian! Twitter/Instagram: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast to stay up to date on new episodes! Twitter/Instagra...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min
This episode is a rare Two-For-One special with Ryan M. James and Kathryn Farren! We talk about how they met, Kathryn’s band, how Ryan learned to edit videos, the different plays and musicals Kathryn has written, Ryan’s machinima series A Clone Apart, their new movie ALL OF IT (which they’ve been working on for 15 years) and so much more! Contribute to making their new movie a reality, by donating to their Indiegogo here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/all-of-it-feature-film#/ www.allofitmov...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 24 min
This episode is with the FABULOUS Derek Basco! We talk about his mom putting him into various activities growing up, starting out breakdancing, working as a DJ, injecting his culture into his work, the process of making The Fabulous Filipino Brothers, being a saloon owner in Obi-wan Kenobi and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Derek! Instagram: @derek_basco Twitter: @DerekBasco Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest ...
Jan 27, 2023•55 min
This episode is with one of my new favorite people, Eliah Mountjoy! We talk about him moving a lot as a kid, ancestry surprises, playing in a band, training with the VO Doctor, the importance of surrounding yourself with good people and SO MUCH MORE! Follow Eliah! Instagram/Twitter: @EliahMountjoy Follow Brian! Instagram/Twitter: @JediBrian www.brianballance.com Follow The Interesting Podcast! Twitter/Instagram: @PodOfInterest
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 30 min
