Meet the legendary man who was part of a group that brought Yoda and Jabba the Hutt to life onscreen!

“Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” changed movies and inspired a generation of people to consider sci-fi as a great new genre … second-generation puppeteer Dave Barclay included. He was working at a London toy store dreaming of a film career when in walks Mark Hamill, except Barclay was out at lunch and missed him! Little did he know only a few months later Hamill would be back, and would help Barclay get his first job in film – as Yoda’s puppeteer in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.”

Dave's autobiography “My Life With Animatronics. Movies, Puppets and Beyond” will be at Barnes & Noble in February and he's currently pre-selling signed copies that come with a photograph and "Mauldrix" film poster (both signed), certificate of authenticity and more. Visit this link to purchase: 

https://coolwatersprods.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=2791

Sportscaster Dick Stockton has been calling Super Bowls, NBA Finals, World Series, the Olympics and much more for the better part of the last 60 years – Legend! Dick broadcast seven Super Bowls over the years, and every single NBA Finals game of the 1980s! Magic – Bird – Kareem – Dr. J – Detroit’s “bad boys” and of course the newcomer who had to wait until 1991 for a championship appearance, Michael Jordan. He was on the 2nd team for Fox Sports when it acquired the NFL in the early ‘90s, second only to John Madden and Pat Summerall. His first World Series in 1975, he called Carlton Fisk’s home run at Fenway Park to tie the series at 3-3, the shot made legendary over time by an outfield camera that captured Fisk “pushing” the ball fair as he headed to first base. Dick has done everything, and it’s been a marvelous ride. Take the journey with us and relive some of the favorite moments of his career.

To read Dick’s weekly column Stockton Says, here’s a link to his website:

https://dstockton.com/stockton-says/

Great chat with Tami Erin, who is an actress, entrepreneur, and former model best known for her portrayal of Pippi Longstocking in the 1988 film, “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.” Discovered at Brookfield Zoo at age five and thrust into a modeling career, she later evolved into acting and business ownership. She also served as a United Nations Ambassador for UNICEF, traveling the globe on behalf of humanitarianism! In 2025 she’s part of the “I Am Pippi” documentary that has a tour along with it. Follow her on Instagram: @tamierinofficialpippi

You can find all information at her website, and her shop has great Pippi merch!

www.tamierin.com

www.shoppippi.com

Elegant, talented, and sometimes – a Russian mobster! Andrea is truly wonderful person who is part actor – part psychotherapist – part adjunct professor (Fordham U.). She’s busy either helping people or entertaining them! Her roles as Riva in “Claws” and Margarethe Ziegler in “Better Call Saul” gained her a permanent, cult-like following! Her therapy practice is The Relationship Suite in New York. Get to know her today, you’ll love her! Follow her on Instagram @andreasooch

(photo courtesy of NYC Photographer Emily Farthing: Instagram @emilyfarthingart)

Book Links

Learned Hopefulness

The Positivity Effect

The Artist’s Way

Andrea Thompson is not just a talented actress, wonderful mother and former journalist, she’s a friend. So, I’m extremely pleased to share her interview so you can get to know more about her career and her as a person. She’s done a little of everything on film and TV, from her film start in “Wall Street,” to becoming a series regular on “Falcon Crest,” “JAG,” “Babylon 5,” and of course “NYPD Blue.” Give it a listen, Andrea’s led a great life so far!

With Josh Fadem, his talent, range, humor, energy, process – everything about his career is top shelf. His memorable roles include working for the late David Lynch as the character Phil in “Twin Peaks,” doing voice-over on “American Dad!” and other animated programs, and perhaps the most memorable – 14 episodes of his Camera Guy character on “Better Call Saul.” His first lead role was shot last year and hopefully will be released in 2025, “Every Heavy Thing.” He also launched the “Here Come the Details” podcast and he’s doing “screen shows,” a term he coined for doing podcasts with a video component built-in as part of it. Bottom line – he’s awesome, his podcast is great, and he’s talented in everything!

Josh’s Links

Instagram

YouTube - Josh

YouTube – Podcast “Here Come the Details”

Podcast on Spotify

Podcast Website

In a world where YouTube is filled with top car crashes and black box recordings from airplane disasters, former Lieutenant Colonel and Retired Air Force Fighter Pilot Hoover is a breath of fresh air providing educated, researched recaps of aviation mishaps on his channel, Pilot Debrief. Going not by his name but instead by his call sign, Hoover started doing real estate videos a few years ago then focused on aviation because it’s his background and passion. The result: 770,000 followers on YouTube alone! He flew F-15E Strike Eagles as part of a North Carolina combat squadron and later F/A-18 Hornets for the Marine Corps in an exchange program. He is now a commercial pilot and a wonderful content creator … make sure to listen to his channel!

PS Hoover, thanks for your service!  🇺🇸

Hoover’s Social Links

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Brande Roderick is not only tremendously successful, but she’s literally the definition of it. Every project she’s ever been involved with has achieved at the highest levels. From being a Playboy cover girl to Playmate of the Year (and dating Hugh Hefner) to having an outstanding acting career that includes “Baywatch,” “The Apprentice,” and dozens of film and television appearances. She’s also a producer, a writer, and now a director with her new film “Wineville,” which allowed her to showcase her love of horror. Go watch it, it’s streaming everywhere!

Brande’s Links

"Wineville" Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Gina’s the founding member and lead singer of Burning Red, the nation’s best Taylor Swift tribute band. She’s a legend in the Chicago music scene from early days in her band Rockit Girl to later joining Louise Post as a member of alt rock’s Veruca Salt! They both also joined a short-lived female supergroup called Bastard with Courtney Love then Gina found her sweet spot as a major Swiftie. The band’s social media is tremendous – currently Gina’s recording and posting one song per day (!!) from Taylor’s album: The Tortured Poets Department. Burning Red will be playing Indianapolis in early April 2025 with shows in Chicago and elsewhere throughout the year. Follow and like them – and definitely go see them!!

(music “Down Bad” cover courtesy of Burning Red’s YouTube)

Burning Red Social Links

Website

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Stand-Up Comedian Willie Macc got his start on BET’s reality program “College Hill” and that created the path for a successful entertainment career. Willie has been in dozens of national TV commercials for everything from Hidden Valley Ranch to Verizon to McDonald’s and many more! In 2025 he’ll have his own Dry Bar special and he’s doing “America’s Got Talent” too. (episode recorded and produced by Jackson DeMask; edited by me!)

Willie's Links

Website

YouTube

TikTok

Instagram

(Note: we recorded this in 2024 when shooting videos in a pub called ⁠Duke’s Northwoods⁠ in suburban Chicago co-owned by Jarrett Payton, son of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton!)