Gary Arndt is a podcaster, blogger, photographer, and world traveler. Gary was, among other things, an entrepreneur in Minnesota. Then one day he decided he was going to trade it all in and go travel the world. He sold his house and he was off.

He started doing photography, he started a blog, and he started a podcast. He quickly built his own universe. His podcast, Everything Everywhere Daily, has been downloaded over 10 million times. Here’s how he did it. 

Nate Golon is a filmmaker, producer, educator, and world traveler. I saw him speak on a panel at WonderCon and he mentioned that he sold a series to Hulu and then decided to walk away from all of it and go live in Japan. Ok, I got to get this guy’s story! Creativity, passion, life’s journey, this is what 1000 is all about!

A few years before Colin Kaepernick, there was Chris Kluwe.

Chris Kluwe is a former NFL punter, writer, musician, and activist. During his time with the Minnesota Vikings, he got in trouble for his decision to be outspoken in support of marriage equality. I became aware of him around that time and have followed him ever since. He published a piece recently about how he was essentially blacklisted from the NFL. This is his story.

Jess Pettitt is a speaker, author, and researcher. Recently, she did a deep dive into Project 2025. Somebody had to.

I first met Jess on the NACA circuit, basically the college performance circuit, many years ago. I’ve always enjoyed hearing her take on things, and was curious, especially after her 2025 project, to know her assessment right about now.

Sam Richard is a writer, editor, and publisher. He is the orginal editor and current operator of Weirdpunk Books, a publisher in Minneapolis, MN. I found out about him online. Wait, a punk rock horror publisher that’s unapologetically leftist, queer, and DIY? In the Twin Cities no less? Yes, I’m in. Sam runs a great publishing house and he’s got quite the story. Please welcome to the show, Sam Richard.

Bryant Odega is an educator and activist. His first memory is of ICE coming to deport his father. He recently graduated from Harvard. I first became aware of Bryant when he ran for City Council in my district in Los Angeles. In the times we’re living in, many people are wondering what they can do, and how they can fight back. I think this episode helps answer, or at least partially answer, that question.

Havilah Malone is an author, actress, producer, and speaker. She’s written some best selling books, and you’d probably recognize her from a national commercial or two. Havilah was helping out with a gameshow pilot Graham Elwood and I produced called Anything Can Happen. Her productive and positive energy was infectious. It was awesome to have her be part of it. She’s the type of person you like being on set with, which goes a long way in this business.

Sally Mullins is an actress, comedian, animal rescuer, and porn star. Also, she’s in my movie, Left At Wall. She’s hilarious. I met her in the LA comedy scene, and wanted to know more about her origin story. Among other things, we talk about sexuality, different kinks people have, and her experience as a dominatrix.

Curious about Off-Grid Living? Earthships? Chad Riden is a comedian and producer. A few years ago, Chad packed up his life in Nashville, got a plot of land in New Mexico, and built an Earthship for himself. If ya don’t know what that is, don’t worry, we get into it.

Pre-Order Left At Wall on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/left-at-wall/umc.cmc.5mh7nkndorqopu53n5ckf2lcn

Krish Mohan is a comedian, graphic designer, and mental health advocate. Also, he’s a close friend. He’s in my movie, Left At Wall, and we’ve collaborated on a ton of stuff over the years. This episode hits the themes of creative fulfillment and happiness. Perfect episode to end a year. Please welcome to the show, Krish Mohan.

Pre-Order LEFT AT WALL on Apple TV : https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/left-at-wall/umc.cmc.5mh7nkndorqopu53n5ckf2lcn

Graham Elwood is a comedian, filmmaker, and podcaster. Also, he’s my good friend. We’ve toured multiple countries together, heck, we even toured a different continent. We vent some frustrations about the YouTube space, we go down memory lane, some good ones, some not so good ones. An appropriate December episode.

Jordan Chariton is a Journalist. He’s also one of the reasons I’m still as active as I am in the YouTube space.

Jordan is the co-founder and Head Journalist for Status Coup News, an indie outlet dedicated to on-the-ground journalism.

Status Coup has covered 100s of protests all over the country, they covered the East Palestine chemical spill, and they were the only outlet in the world to cover the UAW strike every single day.

Jordan has been investigating the Flint Water crisis for 9 years and counting. Recently, he published a book on the topic and it’s a bombshell. Full disclaimer, I’m a proud part of the operation over there. 

Comics! The print kind! Barbra Dillon is a comic book publisher and creator. She’s the co-founder of Fanbase Press, a comic book publisher and “geek culture” website. I saw her speak at a panel at WonderCon and wanted to know more about the publishing niche that she and her husband built. Upon meeting her, I found out we both grew up in Pittsburgh around the same time.

Courtney Cronin is a comedy writer, stand-up, and producer. She’s written for shows on MTV, TBS, MohrSports, The Chelsea Handler Show, and that’s barely scratching the surface of her resume. Also, she’s pretty much the first working comedian I ever befriended.

Tina-Desiree Berg is a Journalist. Dare I say, one of the most bad-ass ones I know. She goes toe-to-toe with right-wing extremists groups, she puts herself in danger for on-the-ground coverage, and she researches stuff that most people just wouldn’t have the stomach for. As some of you may already know, she’s a friend and colleague of mine. We’ve collaborated in many different contexts, but this is the first time I actually got to straight up interview her and dive more into her origin story.

Franz Nicolay is a musician and author. He performs as a solo artist, he was a member of World Inferno/Friendship Society, he plays keyboards for The Hold Steady, and that’s barely a fraction of his music resume. As a writer, Franz has published a collection of tour essays, "The Humorless Ladies of Border Control", a novel, "Someone Should Pay For Your Pain", and his newest book is called "Band People", an extensive peak under the hood of the lives of session and touring musicians.

Silverio Tucci is an Italian punk rock musician and Socialist. I discovered his band, Lumpen, via Attila the Stockbroker and became an instant fan.

I learned that his family members were partisans. For anyone not in the know, that means they were the people who literally fought the nazis in their communities in Italy during WWII. They’re not mentioned much in history, but they were there, and when it was a fair fight, they usually won.

I consider their story proof that at the end of the day love, community, and compassion triumphs over hate, fear, and bigotry. A reminder I think we could all use right about now. There are some barriers in this episode which is why it’s a bit shorter. I’m limited in my Italian and Silverio is limited in his English, and we also had some connectivity issues. But we both navigate the waters and find common ground between our mutual love for music, family, art and solidarity.

Also, this episode ends with a reflection on the current state of affairs.

Thomas Frank is a political analyst and writer. He wrote the book “Listen, Liberal”, a thorough but fair dissection of the failures of the Democratic Establishment and in particular, the Obama Administration. He also wrote “The People, No”, which provides a factual analysis on what populism actually is. In the contemporary political landscape we’re living in, he’s one of the most important thinkers out there.

I try not to be too topical with this show, as that’s not the theme, but we recorded this a week after Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. Whether you’re listening the day it drops, or years from now, I hope it’s a solid snapshot of where we are, or were.

Dennis Jagard is a musician and sound engineer. He is the singer, songwriter, and one of the principle members of the legendary skate punk band, Ten Foot Pole. I grew up listening to Ten Foot Pole. One of their songs in particular is one of my favorite songs in the world. Dennis and I get to talk about that. I tell him why the song means what it does to me and my interpretation of it, and he gives some insider insight of the writing of the song. This is what 1000 is all about!

Danny McDermott is a producer, actor, comic, and filmmaker. His latest effort, Party Panda - The Birth of a Serial Killer, is tearing it up in the indie horror world and continues to grow in popularity. Want to know what it really means to get movies produced in Hollywood? This episode’s for you. Spooky Season continues!

Anastasia Washington is an actor, comedian and Scream Queen. She is an institution in the Indie Horror Comedy world. She’s appeared in tons of movies you’ve seen and she’s carved her own niche that, while most at home in indie horror, is versatile enough for anything.

Samantha Hale is a comedian, writer, producer, and most importantly, she’s a horror-comedy institution. She produces the show, Horror Nerd, which combines Horror Movies, stand-up, storytelling, and cinema nostalgia into one incredible show that’s generating a buzz in LA and now, nationally. It’s officially spooky season! 

Voting in a US Election soon? This episode’s for you. Greg Palast is an investigator, reporter and filmmaker. He’s worked for the Guardian and covered the Election Integrity beat in the US for 25 years. His newest work, Vigilantes Inc., is about the type of voter suppression to expect in 2024.

Jeremy Fury is a musician, producer, and he lives it. He’s based in Brooklyn via Detroit area, Toledo to be exact. I first became aware of him when I discovered his band, Jeremy and the Harlequins. I became an instant fan. Jeremy’s been recording and touring for over 20 years, Jeremy and the Harlequins are just one of his many accomplishments.

From Pasadena to Marina Del Ray, from Brooklyn all the way to LA, welcome to the show, Jeremy Fury!

James Fauntleroy, also known as Jay Befaunt, is a show host and member of the YouTube Network and activist org, Revolutionary Blackout Network. I’ve collaborated with Jay many times in the past, both on his show, my show and different panels. I never knew much about him. Who was the man beyond the online presence? All I can say is buckle in, he has a heck of a story. Please welcome to the show, Jay Befaunt.

Kaytlin Bailey is a comedian, performer, former sex worker, and she is the executive director and founder of the Non-Profit, Old Pros Online, an organization dedicated to the decriminalization of sex work. We've both incorporated policy passions into our creative endeavors, her with sex work and me with Digital Rights. Those two issues cross pollinate a good bit. I’ve known her since we were both starting out in comedy, and have been following her new chapter for awhile now.

Zeynab Day is a campaigner, activist and journalist. She’s also a mom and an entrepreneur. She’s lived many lives and overcome many obstacles. We’ve crossed paths in similar circles and seen experiments succeed and fail. We reflect on that and more. Also, given some circumstances in my personal life, there’s a beautiful coincidence to the timing of this episode. 

Josh Spector is a marketing expert who helps businesses get more clients from their content. He runs the For the Interested newsletter and he has a podcast called I Want To Know. Josh’s blogs and advice changed my life. It's hard to imagine where I would be if it weren't for Josh's blogs and advice. I explain how.

Sabrina Salvati, aka Sabby Sabs, is a YouTube commentator, journalist and activist. She is part of the indie media space that I used to be heavily involved in, but now keep at arm’s length. Though my overall take on the scene is not a positive one, I still think there are diamonds in the rough. We talk about all of that and more.

Joy Damiani is a musician, veteran, and anti-war activist. She has had quite a life. To escape a religious cult, she joined the military and got sent off to Iraq. Upon seeing the true nature of US foreign policy, when she returned she became involved in anti-war protests and actions, and she’s written some amazing songs, too. Buckle in, this story is quite the ride.

Darrin Bradbury is a singer/songwriter turned activist turned singer/songwriter/activist. He’s based in East Nashville. I first saw him when I was still living in Nashville and I became an instant fan. 

Darrin’s star was starting to rise, and then one day, he walked away from all of it. He quit music. He left the industry and eventually found his way into mutual aid work which led to the creation of the Beat, TN, which provides, among other things, homeless outreach. This is his story. We find out why he ended a chapter and started a new one. As someone who also closed a chapter and started a new one, I could relate to a ton of what he had to say.

Italophiles Rejoice! Valentina Martelli is an Italian journalist, entrepreneur and innovator. And that’s barely scratching the surface of everything she does. She’s a brilliant mind, has a work ethic second to none and on top of that she’s a genuine and kind person. I met her through a mutual acquaintance via my neighborhood of San Pedro. I’m honored to call her a colleague and a friend, and for the first time, I learn her story.

Michael Blaha is an Entertainment Attorney, Performer and Fringe Producer. I met him because of that last thing. Michael loves Fringe Festivals and has made it a large focus in his life. He’s a nomad. He’s an example of living a creative life on your own terms, which I’m always a fan of.

Andrew Frank is a comedian and performer based in Seattle, WA. They’re Queer, Pansexual and use They/Them pronouns. They grew up in a fundamentalist Christian household. Their dad was a fundamentalist Minister. We talk about the journey, the joy of Fringe Festivals and Andrew’s newest show, where they satirize an Evangelical Minister.

Esteban Gast is a comedian, content creator, and educator. He’s the comedian in residence at Generation 180 where he created the Climate Comedy Cohort. I saw him recently at an event hosted by Adam McKay’s company. This is my first time talking to him and it’s almost eerie how much we have in common. This is a chatty episode, couldn’t help it.

Marco Di Pinto is an Italian comedian and producer. He is among the main players in bringing Italian and English speaking stand-up comedy to Italy on a larger scale than it ever has been. I met Marco in Edinburgh at the 2023 Fringe Festival. He’s a creative pioneer, he’s like the Black Flag for stand-up in Italy. Not only is this extremely cool but there’s a personal element for me. Years ago, I had the opportunity to move to Italy. I passed it up, because I knew I really wanted to pursue Stand-up and that just wouldn’t be possible there. Well, some years have gone by. The world is different than it was and so am I.

Tuesday Thomas is an actress, performer, comedian and filmmaker. Her documentary, The Trash Goes Out On Tuesday, is out now. It’s about her life growing up Transgender in the 70s. I met Tuesday some years ago in the comedy scene here in LA, I interviewed her in the past for a show I used to have. She’s had a wild life. Also, we both made our first movies recently, which is quite a process, so we had a ton to talk about.

Mike Park is a musician, activist, and record label operator. He runs the legendary ska/punk label, Asian Man Records. I’m not fluent in the entirety of Asian Man’s catalog, but Mike Park has put out some of my favorite albums, period. He’s also one of the best examples out there of what it really means to be DIY and do things on your own terms. It’s been an inspiration to me for, literally, most of my life at this point.

Margaret Killjoy is an author, podcaster and musician. She has brilliant insights especially on the topics of Anarchy and History. Her video series, Live Like The World Is Dying, details her experiences living off-grid. It’s informative, insightful, brutally honest, and, when appropriate, hilarious. I’ve been a fan of hers for a few years now and was stoked to finally get to talk to her.

Goat vs. Fish is arguably the most cerebral, conceptual comedic artist in Los Angeles, maybe anywhere. Goat vs. Fish asks one question: Are you Goat or are you Fish? Is this an act? A philosophy? A way of life? Maybe all of the above. We talk about it. We also talk about their infamous appearance on Kill Tony and how Goat vs. Fish got kicked out of a Renaissance Festival. Please welcome to the show, Goat vs. Fish.

Paul Strickland is a Storyteller. Actually, he is many things. He's a comic, producer, actor, puppeteer... but at the end of the day, more than anything, he’s a storyteller. Paul and I first met many years ago on the road comedy circuit, and since then Paul has morphed his career from stand-up into storytelling. As a storyteller, he’s performed at Fringe Festivals, Arts Festivals, Libraries and some of the most prestigious storytelling venues domestically and around the world.

Nancy Woo is a poet, activist and community arts advocate. She’s based right across the bridge from me, in Long Beach, California. She incorporates social themes and climate change in her work, and she builds community through the arts. It’s inspiring and for many, myself included, a source of hope.

Kennedy Cooper is one of my favorite Twitter accounts. They’re insightful, thoughtful and hilarious. We’ve ran in the same lefty online circles for some years now and are finally collaborating. This interview turns more into a conversation, about the state of the left in the US, where we find hope and how we can do better.

Hamell On Trial is a one man rock ’n’ roll institution. Mainly a musician but part storyteller, part poet, part comedian, Hamell On Trial live is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful, chaotic and, like many special things, it’s not for everyone. I’ve known Hamell for nearly 20 years now and there’s a ton he shared in this interview alone I had no clue about. He opened for the Clash! Any way, buckle in for a hell of a story and a little bit of two guys who’ve known each other a long time talking some music and politics as is bound to happen. Also, as 1000 is likely to be my last project in the podcast world, Hamell will likely be the only person in the world to do every iteration of a podcast and/or radio show that I’ve ever had.

For tickets for June 8 in Idyllwild or info on the June 18 house show with Hamell: ronplacone.com !

Stavros Batras is an actor and comedian. He’s been in some movies, he’s done presitgious stand-up shows and he’s represented by one of the top agencies in the world. And he did all of this while being based in Greece. He’s an example of how if you have the determination, the work ethic, and the perseverance you can to amazing things even if your circumstances may not be ideal. Stavros lives, at least for now, a long way from Hollywood, but he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his Hollywood dreams. And he continues to succeed. He proves that having a Hollywood career outside of Hollywood, while difficult, isn’t impossible.

Calling All Writers!

Mike Royce is a writer and producer. His list of credits is not short. One Day at a Time, Men of a Certain Age, Everybody Loves Raymond, and that’s just scratching the surface.

Additionally, during the recent writer and actor strikes, Mike was very vocal advocating for creatives and Unions.

Nicole Laurenne is a Muscian and Songwriter. Also, she was a lawyer. Her newest band is called the Darts. My wife and I saw them years ago in Highland Park and became instant fans. We saw them again recently in our neighborhood, San Pedro, and they tore the roof off the place. Killer garage rock, a little bit of punk and psychedelic and a fantastic stage show. I didn’t know much about Nicole other than I really dig her band and her songs, little did I know her story’s incredible. She’s lived multiple lives, she has a law degree, she worked as a judge, she’s a mom, she’s played music most of her life in multiple genres including jazz piano, and she’s a cancer survivor. She’s an inspiration to anybody wanting to lead a creative life or even just a fulfilling life.

Paul Gilmartin is a comedian, show host and mental health advocate. He hosts the podcast the Mental Illness Happy Hour which is one of my favorites and has helped a ton of people. Myself included. I guested on Paul’s show and talked about my struggles with anger, it’s still one of the only platforms where I’ve opened up about that part of my life. Trigger warning: This episode goes deep. Paul discusses his past trauma and life struggles that have lead to him to where he is today. Last but not least and how I first met him, Paul has a faux-right-wing satirical character called Richard Martin, which pre-dates Stephen Colbert’s character from the Colbert Report.

Also, Nicole gets her question answered.

Katie Love is an author and comedian. Also, she escaped a cult, at least that’s how she looks at it. For the record, I do as well. This episode concerns the Jehovah Witnesses, and how Katie Love eventually walked away from the Religion, after being indoctrinated into it at age 9. She also suffered abuse, and disclaimer, while we don’t go into as much detail as her book we do talk about it. 

Chris Lee is an author and historian. I’ve always been interested in the connection between politics in football aka soccer especially in Italy. It came up some in Episode 27 with Attila the Stockbroker. Well, I decided why not talk to someone who wrote a book on the topic. Chris Lee, among other things, is other of The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism. He dives into that history not just in Italy but other countries as well. This episode is almost more like a history lesson than an interview, and I mean that in a good way.