Navigating Hollywood – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us a text

Joseph Holland, author, playwright, and former Housing Commissioner of New York State, shares his life's tapestry, embracing the arts and spreading joy through his plays while serving the Harlem community, which is showcased in the film "Harlem Grace."  As Holland recounts the various hues of his life, we're reminded of the transformative power of faith and using one's talents to ignite hope and change in the lives of others.

Journey with us as we navigate the nuances of Holistic Housing, an innovative model that Joe pioneered, giving not just a roof over heads but also nourishing the mind, spirit, and future employment opportunities of those he served. From the principles that underpinned his life skills curriculum to the global reach of his initiatives, including the founding of an institute in Liberia, Holland's story is one of unwavering dedication. His transition into a political role, leveraging his extensive community and entrepreneurial experience, exemplifies a life of purpose. Be inspired as we trace Holland's footsteps, a path where faith, creativity, and the desire to leave a lasting legacy beautifully converge.

Harlem Grace Website

Joe's Website

Navigating Hollywood

Send us a text

Film Producer and Broadway Investor Rob Stillman recounts the ambitious journey of translating the powerful play "Freud's Last Session" into a movie, with Anthony Hopkins breathing life into Freud. His insight into the allure of challenging roles for A-list actors and the intimate process of film production shines a light on the artistry behind making a movie. Rob also reflects on his beginnings with "The God Committee," tracing his path from off-Broadway to the heart of Hollywood.

In a world quick to dismiss different viewpoints, our conversation takes a turn towards the significance of maintaining meaningful dialogue and the value of faith and friendships beyond our differences. Rob shares his perspective on success, measured not in box office receipts but in the laughter and love of family—especially the bond with his children. Join us for an episode that doesn't just entertain but also questions, connects, and celebrates the stories that make us human, all through the lens of a man who's seen the best and brightest of what show business has to offer.

Navigating Hollywood

Rob Stillman IMDb

Freud's Last Session

The Sound of Violet Official Site

Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, X

Allen Wolf’s website

Send us a text

Brian  is the co-creator and executive producer of the top-rated Hallmark Channel original series When Calls the Heart and is the writer and producer of over two dozen films and TV movies such as The Heart of Man, Bopha!, Call Me Claus, Not Easily Broken, Captive, and The Case for Christ. Over his 40+ year career, Brian has written and/or produced nearly 350 episodes of television, including Evening Shade, Step by Step, and Touched by an Angel.

Brian talks about how he got his start in the industry, how he thinks it's essential to be fearless to be successful and shares many inspirational stories and insights. He also discusses how the best legacy of When Calls the Heart is not the show, it's the Hearties

See more at NavigatingHollywood.org.

Links:

• Watch on YouTube
• When Calls the Heart Official Site
• When Calls the Heart on Twitter
• Navigating Hollywood
• Brian Bird on IMDb, Twitter
• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• Allen Wolf’s website
• Allen Wolf's movie website

Send us a text

The Sound of Violet is a romantic comedy about a man who thinks he found his soulmate but his autism keeps him from realizing she's a prostitute looking for a ticket out of her trapped life.  Lead cast members Cason Thomas, Cora Cleary, Jan D'Arcy, and Michael E. Bell join the movie's writer, director, and producer Allen Wolf, to talk about the challenges of making the movie, building the characters, and how the story inspired them. The Sound of Violet opens April 29, only in theaters. Get tickets and exclusive content at TheSoundofViolet.com.

During this compelling discussion, Cason talks about his experience having a mom who was a victim of trafficking, how he grew up in the foster system of Houston, Texas, and how that informed his view of the story. Cora shares about how she went undercover to research her character while Jan and Michael talk about how they connected with their roles.

Links:

• The Sound of Violet Official Site

• The Sound of Violet on IMDb, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok

• Navigating Hollywood

• Video version

Send us a text

Composer Conrad Pope is one of the most respected and trusted musicians working in Hollywood today. He talks about how he got his start and how he creates memorable music. Composers such as John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, and Hans Zimmer have all called upon his expertise as one of the industry’s top orchestrators as well as his abilities as a conductor and score producer, making him one of the most in-demand scoring professionals.

Conrad has contributed to the scores of more than a hundred films. The iconic films on which he has worked range from the Star Wars prequel films, the Harry Potter series, to Jurassic Park, to  Pirates of the Caribbean, and more. Conrad created the musical score for Allen Wolf's new romantic comedy movie, The Sound of Violet.

See more at NavigatingHollywood.org.

Links:

• Conrad Pope's Official Site

• Conrad Pope on IMDb, Facebook

• Navigating Hollywood

• The Sound of Violet Official Site

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf’s website

• Video Interview

Send us a text

Encore Episode : Sheryl J. Anderson, the Creator and Executive Producer of the hit Netflix show Sweet Magnolias, discusses how she started as a storyteller, the way her life experience made her uniquely qualified to create this hit show, and how faith has played a crucial role for her as an artist. She also talks about her life priorities and how she has been able to get where she is today.

On writing Sweet Magnolias, Sheryl explains, "We had a running joke in the writer's room that we wanted to make the audience laugh out loud once an episode, cry once an episode, and then whatever they wanted to do in between was fine. But the running joke became that we wanted to do that to each other every day in the room and we laughed a lot together and we cried a lot together."

This episode originally aired April 2021.

See more at NavigatingHollywood.org.

Links:

• Sweet Magnolias Official Site

• Sweet Magnolias on Facebook

• Navigating Hollywood

• Sheryl J. Anderson on IMDb, Twitter

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf’s website

Send us a text

Special Episode: Filmmaker Allen Wolf is  interviewed on The Autistic Me podcast where he talks about the challenge of portraying an autistic character in his upcoming movie, The Sound of Violet, as well as how he discovered the story, writing at Disneyland, and much more. We re-broadcast the episode here.

• The Autistic Me podcast

• The Autistic Me Blog

• Order Allen's Book, The Sound of Violet

• Navigating Hollywood's Marriage Course, Pre-Marriage Course, Alpha Course

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf's website

• Allen Wolf's new movie

Send us a text

Scott Teems wrote Halloween Kills with David Gordon Green and Danny McBride, and upcoming will be The Exorcist sequel, and Stephen King’s Firestarter. Scott was a writer and co-executive producer of the popular Netflix series Narcos: Mexico and he wrote, directed, and produced three seasons of the acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning TV drama Rectify. Scott discusses his career challenges, responds to critics with the deeper messages they may have missed in Halloween Kills,  what excites him as a storyteller, and why he rarely smiles.

Links:

• Order Allen's Book, The Sound of Violet

• Scott Teems on IMDb

• Navigating Hollywood's Marriage Course, Pre-Marriage Course, Alpha Course

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf's website

• Allen Wolf's new movie

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Video for this episode can be found here.

Send us a text

Tony nominee Elizabeth A. Davis and her husband, Emmy-nominee Jordan Richard, talk about their incredible journey through stage and television. Elizabeth's Broadway debut landed her a Tony Nomination and launched her on a multi-year search to discover her artistic voice. Jordan has won multiple Emmy nominations for his role as a director at NBC News. He talks about how the news can be biased, his role as a news director, and mishaps along the way. Elizabeth and Jordan also discuss how they have built a relationship where they encourage each other to develop their artistic voices and thrive.

 Links:

• Order Allen's Book, The Sound of Violet

• Elizabeth A. Davis Website

• Elizabeth A. Davis on IMDb, Wikipedia

• Designated Survivor Article about Jordan Richard

• 1776 on Broadway

• Navigating Hollywood's Marriage Course, Pre-Marriage Course, Alpha Course

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf's website

• Allen Wolf's new movie

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Video for this episode can be found here.

Send us a text

As a special agent for the FBI, James R. Fitzgerald (Jim) helped solve some of the highest profile criminal cases in U.S. history, including the Unabomber, the D.C. Sniper, the 2001 anthrax cases, and many more. Sam Worthington portrayed Jim in the acclaimed mini-series "Manhunt: Unabomber" on Netflix. Jim also served as a consultant for Criminal Minds and many other crime-related television shows. He gives advice for writers who are writing crime stories. Jim is the most special guest Allen Wolf  will ever interview for one reason: Jim is Allen's uncle. Allen didn't know they were related until recently and they share how they discovered their family ties later in the show.

As a special agent for the FBI, James R. Fitzgerald (Jim) helped solve some of the highest profile criminal cases in U.S. history, including the Unabomber, the D.C. Sniper, the 2001 anthrax cases, and many more. Sam Worthington portrayed Jim in the acclaimed mini-series "Manhunt: Unabomber" on Netflix. Jim also served as a consultant for Criminal Minds and many other crime-related television shows. He gives advice for writers who are writing crime stories. Jim is the most special guest Allen will ever interview for one reason: Jim is Allen's uncle. Allen didn't know they were related until recently and they share how they discovered their family ties later in the show.

Links:

• Pre-Order Allen's Book, The Sound of Violet

• James R. Fitzgerald's Website

• James R. Fitzgerald on IMDb

• James R. Fitzgerald's The Fitz Files.

• James R. Fitzgerald's books, The Journey to the Center of the Mind

• Navigating Hollywood's Marriage Course, Pre-Marriage Course, Alpha Course

• Allen Wolf on IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

• Allen Wolf's website

• Allen Wolf's new movie

The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Video for this episode can be found here.