Shows
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela135. HGTV's Ben Napier on Social Media and Screen TimeBen Napier is the co-host of HGTV’s Home Town, Home Town Takeover, and Home Town Kickstart along with his wife Erin. In his third appearance on this podcast, Ben discusses the work he and Erin are doing with Osprey, a group they co-founded in 2023 that helps connect parents who want to limit screen time and social media access for their kids.Ben and Heath discuss how their own attitudes towards social media have shifted over the last decade or so, what kids are giving up by spending time on screens, and how to have a...2025-03-061h 02
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela124. Dennis Kucinich on Gaza, Ohio, and PoliticsDennis Kucinich is an Ohio politician who has served as Cleveland city councilor, mayor of Cleveland, Ohio state senator, and U.S. representative from 1997-2013. He was a presidential candidate in the democratic primary in 2004 and 2008. He is currently running for U.S. representative for Ohio’s 7th district as an independent.Dennis joins Heath to discuss the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, how Palestine is connected to U.S. politics, the evolution of Ohio's political scene, and boyhood memories of the Racela family. Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/su...2024-05-0951 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela102. Carpenter Mark Ellison On Craft vs ArtMark Ellison has been a New York City based carpenter for more than 40 years, working on some of the most custom renovation projects for some of the wealthiest people on the planet. He joins Heath to discuss his new book Building: A Carpenter’s Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work, which describes his philosophy on building and life and recounts the strange projects he's worked on in his career. Mark is also a musician and he talks about how music affects his carpentry work and vice versa. Get full access to Willoughby Hills at he...2023-06-0855 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela101. HGTV's Ben Napier On Perfecting Small TownsBen Napier is the co-host of HGTV's Home Town and Home Town Takeover. He joins Heath to discuss the work that he and his wife Erin have done to make their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi a thriving city. He also talks about how he's taken the lessons learned in Laurel and translated them to Wetumpka, Alabama and Fort Morgan, Colorado. In addition to his work on HGTV, Ben once served as the president of Laurel's Main Street America chapter and ran for a city council seat. He, Erin, and their business partners own three small businesses in...2023-05-2559 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela100. Actor Nick Offerman On Wendell Berry, Love, & ComedyNick Offerman is an actor, woodworker, author, and touring humorist. On the 100th episode of the podcast, Nick joins Heath to discuss his approach to comedy in his live stage show, his scholarship of the works of Wendell Berry, and why he thinks nearly all of our problems can be solved with love. Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2023-05-1159 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela99. Photographer Matt Sexton Makes Cleveland ShineMatt Sexton is a landscape and drone photographer who began taking pictures of landmarks around his hometown of Cleveland during the pandemic. He has gained a fast following on social media for the optimistic portrait that he paints of the city as well as for how he looks to other world cities to make Cleveland a better place.Matt joins Heath to discuss his process for selecting photo subjects, how he makes creative decisions in the field, and the influence of places like Hong Kong on his work, where he lived abroad for 10 years as a young...2023-04-2747 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela98. Smithsonian Curator Bethanee Bemis on How Disney Impacts American CultureBethanee Bemis is a museum specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the curator of the new exhibit Mirror, Mirror: Reflections of America in Disney Parks. She’s also the author of the book Disney Theme Parks and America’s National Narratives, Mirror Mirror For Us All.She joins Heath to discuss how Disney has reflected and impacted American culture from the time of the first Mickey Mouse cartoon. She also talks about how the themed areas of Disney Parks such as Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street U.S.A. can alter our se...2023-04-1348 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela97. Architect Sarah Susanka on Living a 'Not So Big Life'Architect Sarah Susanka is the author of the Not So Big House series of books, which advocate for building smaller homes of a higher quality, rather than focusing solely on square footage. She joins Heath to discuss 25 years since the publication of her first book, the parallels between a Not So Big House and the New Urbanist movement, and her own architectural influences.Sarah also discusses her book The Not So Big Life, which uses her architectural principles as a lens for understanding our own behavioral patterns with the goal of improving time and stress management. 2023-03-3046 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela96. Author Alexandra Lange on the History and Future of Shopping MallsArchitecture and design critic Alexandra Lange is the author of “Meet Me By the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall.” She joins Heath to discuss the problems malls tried to solve, strange modern malls like New Jersey’s American Dream, and why malls hold so much potential for our future needs. Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2023-03-1650 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela95. The Great American Recipe Host Alejandra Ramos (Quarantine Creatives)Alejandra Ramos is a chef, food writer, and television personality who hosts the new PBS competitive cooking series The Great American Recipe. Alejandra joins Heath to discuss the filming of her new show during the pandemic, the evolving definition of American food, plus her journey to sharing recipes on TV and her work as a contirbutor to TODAY. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2022-06-1650 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela94. Fat Moon Mushrooms Farmer Elizabeth Almeida (Quarantine Creatives)Elizabeth Almeida is the founder and owner of Fat Moon Mushrooms, a certified organic grower in the Boston area. She joins Heath to discuss how she kept her mushroom farm afloat during the pandemic, the importance of a resilient local food system, and the wisdom waiting to be discovered in the forest. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2022-05-1955 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela93. DAME Magazine Founder and Publisher Jennifer Reitman (Quarantine Creatives)Jennifer Reitman founded DAME Magazine as a woman-owned and operated online publication with smart features about contemporary issues. She joins Heath to discuss the challenges of running an independent media company, how she finds and cultivates talented writers, dealing with the exhaustion that many readers feel from the news, and the role of social media and self-publishing platforms on our information ecosystem This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at h...2022-05-0555 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela92. SNL Cue Card Lead Wally Feresten (Quarantine Creatives)For more than 30 years, Wally Feresten has played an important role in iconic comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and the Amber Ruffin Show, where he leads the team that writes and holds the cue cards for every episode. Wally joins Heath to discuss the technical aspects of the job, what it's been like appearing in frequent cameos during A Closer Look, and the business he started when shows couldn't work in person during the pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o...2022-04-2147 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela91. Physician and Author Dr. Steven Gundry (Quarantine Creatives)Dr. Steven Gundry was a cardiothoracic surgeon before focusing his practice on how diet can cause or prevent certain autoimmune diseases. He joins Heath to talk about Heath's experience with the Plant Paradox diet over the last sixth months and he also shares research from his new book Unlocking the Keto Code. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2022-04-0751 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela90. Sesame Street Puppeteer Warrick Brownlow-Pike (Quarantine Creatives)UK-based puppeteer Warrick Brownlow-Pike is best known in the US for playing Gonger on Sesame Street, but he's also had a long career on CBBC playing Dodge the Dog and other characters. Warrick joins Heath to discuss puppeteering at home durng the quarantine, plus how he developed his craft from an early age, and how he got to Sesame Street. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2022-03-2448 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela89. Making Fun's Jimmy DiResta Returns (Quarantine Creatives)After a long hiatus, Heath returns for a conversation with maker Jimmy DiResta to discuss his new Netflix series Making Fun. Jimmy talks about how the show originated with an Instagram post, the challenges of getting it made during the pandemic, and his thoughts on being his own boss and living on a farm in Upstate New York. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2022-03-1047 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela88. HGTV's Jon Pierre and Mary Tjon-Joe-Pin (Quarantine Creatives)House flippers and renovators Jon Pierre and Mary Tjon-Joe-Pin return to HGTV this month with their new series Two Steps Home. They join Heath to discuss filming the show during the pandemic, giving up their full time jobs to become house flippers, their path to HGTV stardom, and working with Erin and Ben Napier on Home Town Takeover in Wetumpka, Alabama. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.su...2021-06-1040 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela87. NBC and MSNBC Anchor and Reporter Richard Lui (Quarantine Creatives)Richard Lui has covered breaking news as both a reporter and anchor for NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN. He's also taken on the role of caregiver to his father in San Francisco, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Richard joins Heath to discuss juggling a career and family obligations, being one of the few employees allowed at 30 Rock during the pandemic, and his new book Enough About Me about what he has learned about the power of selflessness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...2021-06-0344 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela86. Musician Jesse Terry (Quarantine Creatives)Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry's seventh album When We Wander looks at life as a new parent and the lessons learned on the open road, where he has spent the past decade. Jesse joins Heath to discuss his writing process, musical influences, and how life changed for him as a working musician during COVID. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2021-05-2742 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela85. Actor Scott Foley: One Year Later (Quarantine Creatives)Actor Scott Foley was the first guest ever on Quarantine Creatives. He joins Heath to mark the one year anniversary of the podcast and reflect on all that has happened since May, 2020. Scott chats about RVing across the country with his family, hosting and judging Ellen's Next Great Designer for HBOMax, his own interest in furniture design, and shooting a pilot for The Big Leap on Fox, which took more than year to complete because of COVID. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bon...2021-05-2050 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela84. Documentary Filmmaker Tom Jennings (Quarantine Creatives)Tom Jennings brings his background in journalism to all of his documentaries by telling a story without any narration or newly produced interviews. He joins Heath to discuss acquiring the rights to private tapes for Diana: In Her Own Words, scoring films with Hans Zimmer, and hunting for the perfect piece of archive footage, which became especially problematic during the pandemic. His latest project The Real Right Stuff is streaming now on Disney+. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.su...2021-05-1358 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela83. NPR Reporter and Anchor Arun Rath (Quarantine Creatives)Arun Rath has worked in many roles across public media during his career, including as a producer, reporter, editor, and these days as an on-air anchor. He joins Heath to discuss hosting GBH's All Things Considered and his local pandemic show In It Together, broadcasting from his basement for more than a year, and his candid thoughts on the future of public media. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at...2021-05-0646 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela82. Our Towns Filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan (Quarantine Creatives)In their new film for HBO "Our Towns," Boston filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan look at how small towns across America are reinventing themselves. The husband and wife team join Heath to discuss their working relationship, how the focus of the film shifted after the pandemic, and their partnership with reporters James and Deborah Fallows, who are featured in the film. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at he...2021-04-2939 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela81. Journalist and Made In China Author Amelia Pang (Quarantine Creatives)Amelia Pang is an investigative journalist whose new book Made In China looks at the forced labor system in Chinese manufacturing plants. She joins Heath to discuss her writing process and style, the ethical challenges Western consumers face when shopping, and how the mass detention of Uyghers could be the beginning of another mass genocide akin to the Holocaust. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/s...2021-04-2239 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela80. The Laundry Guy from Discovery+ Patric Richardson (Quarantine Creatives)Patric Richardson has devoted his career to teaching people how to wash their clothes in a way that is safe for the fabric and better for the environment. He joins Heath to discuss the origins of his new show The Laundry Guy on Discovery+, plus the challenges of filming during the pandemic. He also shares insights from his book Laundry Love and talks about how his roots in rural Kentucky inform his approach to cleanliness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vi...2021-04-1538 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela79. Kids on the March Author Michael G Long (Quarantine Creatives)Michael G Long has been studying marches and protests for a long time, authoring books on figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Bayard Rustin. He joins Heath to discuss his new book Kids on the March, which looks at the role of children in protest movements from the early 20th century to today. It's also his first book geared towards children. Michael explains why he wanted to reach kids and how COVID has affected the way we protest. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub...2021-04-0845 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela78. CBS Lucky Dog Hosts Eric and Rashi Wiese (Quarantine Creatives)Eric and Rashi Wiese are the new hosts of the CBS show Lucky Dog, which helps train and place rescue dogs in new homes. They join Heath to talk about filming their first season of the show during the pandemic, plus what they've learned about the best ways to train a dog, and how Rashi's background in human psychology and sociology helps her understand canines in a different way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com G...2021-04-0142 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela77. MTV's The Real World Cast Member Andre Comeau (Quarantine Creatives)In 1992, Andre Comeau and six other strangers moved into a New York City apartment and had their lives taped for the first season of MTV's The Real World. 29 years later, that same cast reunited in the same loft for The Real World Homecoming, which is now streaming on Paramount+. Andre joins Heath to discuss the reunion, the bonds he shares with his fellow cast, and the impact of The Real World on popular culture. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit he...2021-03-2534 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela76. Waffles + Mochi Lead Puppeteer Michelle Zamora (Quarantine Creatives)Michelle Zamora began her career in puppetry by making VHS videos with her toys as a child. She and her husband founded Viva La Puppet in Los Angeles and she puppeteers Waffles in the new Netflix kids's show Waffles + Mochi. She talks with Heath about making the show just before the pandemic hit, the challenges of "eating" with a puppet, and working with Michelle Obama and celebrity chefs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get fu...2021-03-1832 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela75. Square Co-Founder Jim McKelvey (Quarantine Creatives)Jim McKelvey is a glass blower in Saint Louis who turned his frustration about accepting credit cards into the innovative payment business Square, which he cofounded with Jack Dorsey. Jim joins Heath to discuss his book The Innovation Stack, which looks at what makes entrepreneurial ventures succeed. He also discusses the innovation he's observed during the pandemic and Square's recent acquisition of the music streaming service Tidal. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full ac...2021-03-1150 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela74. Beating Burnout at Work Author Paula Davis (Quarantine Creatives)After experiencing her own burnout in the legal profession, Paula Davis founded the Stress and Resilience Institute, which helps companies and individuals address burnout risks. Her new book Beating Burnout at Work offers a scientific approach to fighting burnout. She joins Heath to discuss her writing process during COVID, how workplaces are evolving because of the pandemic, and her own experience with burnout. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at...2021-03-0449 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela73. Kim's Convenience Star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Quarantine Creatives)Paul Sun-Hyung Lee stars in the CBC comedy Kim's Convenience about a family of Korean immigrants that run a corner store in Toronto, which streams on Netflix as well. He joins Heath to discuss returning to shoot Season 5 during COVID and the challenges that went along with that. He also shares behind the scenes stories from his role as Captain Teva on The Mandalorian, plus his interests in cosplay and collectible toys. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.co...2021-01-2848 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela72. Earth to Ned's Paul Rugg (Quarantine Creatives)Paul Rugg provides the voice and some puppeteering for the new Jim Henson show Earth to Ned, which streams on Disney+. He joins Heath to talk about the complex puppetry that goes into making an alien like Ned come alive, plus his career writing and providing voices for classic animated shows like Animaniacs and Freakazoid! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2021-01-2541 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela71. Sesame Street Star and Writer Sonia Manzano (Quarantine Creatives)For more than four decades, Sonia Manzano played Maria on Sesame Street in front of the camera and served as a writer on the show behind the scenes. She joins Heath to talk about her new book A World Together, which explores our shared humanity despite our differences. She also discusses her experience on Sesame Street and previews her upcoming PBS Kid's series Alma's Way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Wi...2021-01-2145 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela70. Khaki Is Not Leather Director Ray Smiling (Quarantine Creatives)Ray Smiling is both a creative director for ad agencies and a director on his own films. His latest project is the anthology series Khaki Is Not Leather, which looks at the role of technology in sex and intimacy during the pandemic. Ray joins Heath to discuss the technical challenges of creating this project fully remotely, his own views on how technology affects our personalities, and how working in advertising has changed his approach to filmmaking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...2021-01-1846 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela69. Legendary Disney Producer/Director Don Hahn (Quarantine Creatives)Don Hahn was the producer behind classic Disney films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, has authored several books, and has produced and directed many documentaries. His latest film Howard looks at the life of lyricist Howard Ashman. Don joins Heath to discuss some of the creative choices he made in Howard, working on classic Disney movies, and what he thinks drives creative people. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full ac...2021-01-1451 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela68. The Antidote Filmmaker Kahane Cooperman (Quarantine Creatives)In her new documentary The Antidote, Kahane Cooperman (and her co-director John Hoffman) explore stories of kindness, decency, and the power of community. Kahane talks with Heath about some of the unique creative choices that make the film impactful, why kindness makes us feel good, and her own optimism in spite of the state of the country. She also discusses her 18 years as a producer at The Daily Show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Ge...2021-01-1147 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela67. PBS American Portrait EP Craig D'Entrone (Quarantine Creatives)PBS American Portrait attempts to answer the fundamental question of what it means to be an American today using self-shot videos submitted from all over the country. The centerpiece of this project is a four part docuseries now running on PBS. Craig D'Entrone is the show runner of the project, and he joins Heath to discuss the challenges of making a documentary without a filming crew, how quarantine has affected production, and what he learned about the American spirit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...2021-01-0750 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela66. The Brady Bunch and HGTV Star Maureen McCormick (Quarantine Creatives)Maureen McCormick is best known for playing Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch, but her passion for old houses, handcrafted vintage furniture, and antiques has made her a great fit at HGTV. Along with her fellow Brady castmates, she helped renovate the Brady Bunch house in 2019, and her latest home renovation show Frozen In Time is now streaming exclusively on Discovery+. Maureen joins Heath to talk about her deep rooted love of all things vintage and what home has meant to her over the years. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...2021-01-0456 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela65. Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical's Emily Jacobsen (Quarantine Creatives)In August, school teacher Emily Jacobsen uploaded a sixteen second video to TikTok about Remy, the cooking rat from Pixar's Ratatouille, which unexpectedly sparked a movement on TikTok. Emily joins Heath to discuss how her video inspired creators all over the world, getting to tour the new Ratatouille ride at Epcot before it opens, and Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, a one-time streaming event with big name Broadway talent to benefit The Actors Fund. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.s...2020-12-3140 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela64. Kaufman Astoria Studios CEO Hal Rosenbluth (Quarantine Creatives)As President and CEO of Kaufman Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens, Hal Rosenbluth manages the oldest studio in New York City. He joins Heath to discuss how COVID-19 has changed how they do business. He talks how state government tax incentives have increased the amount of capital being spent on production. He also describes the role that Kaufman Astoria has played in driving development and reinvestment in the neighborhood around their campus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com...2020-12-2853 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela63. Classical Radio Station Manager Anthony Rudel (Quarantine Creatives)Anthony Rudel grew up in the classical music business, and he has served as Station Manager at WCRB in Boston for 7 years. He talks with Heath about the formatting that he translated from rock and roll stations to classical, how he has leveraged automated programming software, and his push during the pandemic to recreate the concert hall experience, including keeping the 166 year old tradition of live performances of Handel's Messiah alive for Boston through innovative technology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...2020-12-2154 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela62. Comedian Lizz Winstead (Quarantine Creatives)Comedian Lizz Winstead has had a big impact on the media business, co-founding The Daily Show and Air America. Her new comedy special, Corona Borealis: A Night of Comedy Under the Stars, includes untested material performed on a lake and around a campfire in Minnesota. She talks with Heath about how she's dealt with the pandemic, how she uses comedy to call out hypocritical politicians, and her work with Abortion Access Force, a non-profit abortion advocacy group that she founded. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...2020-12-1752 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela61. Journalist and Notorious RBG Co-author Irin Carmon (Quarantine Creatives)Irin Carmon has been a journalist with NBC News, MSNBC, Jezebel, and New York Magazine. She coauthored the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biography Notorious RBG and helped break the Charlie Rose accusations for The Washington Post. She joins Heath to discuss the impact that RBG has had on how she co-parents her infant daughter, how the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements share similar characteristics that allowed them to get big when they did, and the importance of having good "information hygiene" as a citizen. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...2020-12-1440 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela60. Disney Aladdin on Broadway Star Michael James Scott (Quarantine Creatives)Michael James Scott has performed in Broadway shows like The Book of Mormon and Elf, but he is best known as Genie from Disney's Aladdin on Broadway, having played that role on Broadway, in the West End, in Australia, and touring North America. He joins Heath to discuss his new Christmas album "A Fierce Christmas," which calls on his gospel roots and mixes in Broadway and funk, his upcoming socially distanced outdoor concert, and his time playing Tigger and the Queen of Hearts at Walt Disney World. This is a public episode. If you would like t...2020-12-1041 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela59. Journalist and Entrepreneur Maria Hinojosa (Quarantine Creatives)Maria Hinojosa's journalism career has included working for NPR, PBS, CBS, CNN, hosting NPR's Latino USA for more than two decades, and cohosting the podcast In The Thick. Maria joins Heath to recount her personal experience surviving COVID-19 this spring, how she has witnessed the situation at immigration detention camps deteriorate since the first reporting on them in the 1980s, and the challenges and rewards of founding her media company Futuro Media. Maria's new memoir is Once I Was You. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...2020-12-0750 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela58. The Young and the Restless Star Melody Thomas Scott (Quarantine Creatives)For 41 years, Melody Thomas Scott has played the iconic Nikki Newman on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. Melody joins Heath to discuss going back to work this summer after being shut down for the spring, the challenges and rewards of working on a soap opera for such a long time, and how she dealt with the abuse she suffered as a child actor. Nikki has a new memoir titled Always Young and Restless: My Life On and Off America's #1 Daytime Drama. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...2020-12-0346 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela57. HGTV's Mike Holmes (Quarantine Creatives)Mike Holmes has been making home improvement television in Canada and the U.S. for nearly 20 years, including shows like Holmes on Homes, Holmes and Holmes, and Holmes Makes It Right. He joins Heath to discuss renovating houses and making television during the pandemic, finding a reputable contractor, the dire labor shortages happening in the construction industry, and ways that he thinks our homes can be healthier and more sustainable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com 2020-11-3052 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela56. Legendary Animator and Director Glen Keane (Quarantine Creatives)Glen Keane spent nearly 37 years working at Disney as an animator before venturing out on his own in 2012. The first feature that he directed, Over the Moon, recently premiered on Netflix. Glen talks with Heath about finishing that film remotely, honoring screenwriter Audrey Wells, who died during production, and finding his voice as a director. He also discusses working with Kobe Bryant on an Oscar winning short, training under Walt Disney's Nine Old Men, and creating iconic characters like the Beast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...2020-11-2353 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela55. Documentary Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer (Quarantine Creatives)Matt Tyrnauer is a documentary producer and director whose latest project is The Reagans, a four part docuseries now airing on Showtime that takes a critical look at the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. He talks with Heath about why he wanted to reexamine the Reagan era and the parallels that he finds to our current political moment. He also discusses some of the technical challenges of producing this film, much of which was shot and edited during quarantine. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...2020-11-1950 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela54. Musician Brad Brooks (Quarantine Creatives)Oakland based Brad Brooks has a new album, God Save the City, that looks back at his recent experience surviving throat cancer. Brad talks with Heath about the songs that were recorded before treatment and how they differ from those post-treatment, plus why he's not afraid to get political in his music, and how he approaches songwriting. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2020-11-1648 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela53. Young Country Singer/Songwriter Leah Belle Faser (Quarantine Creatives)At age 16, Atlanta native Leah Belle Faser is already writing and recording country songs with heart and depth. She talks to Heath about recording her new album Crossing Hermi's Bridge in May under strict COVID protocols, how she approaches songwriting, and the vulnerability that comes from writing such intimate music and then releasing it into the world without knowing how people will react. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at...2020-11-1246 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela52. Young Broadway Composer, Singer, Actor Joshua Turchin (Quarantine Creatives)Joshua Turchin is already a multi-hyphenate at the age of 14: composer, musician, singer, dancer, actor, and talk show host. He talks to Heath about the musical he composed called The Perfect Fit, which debuted at a theatre festival last year and will be streamed as a live concert from New World Stages on November 15. He also discusses the talk show he hosts, The Early Night Show, ways that he has had to adapt to COVID, meeting Alan Menken, and what he loves about Disneyland. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...2020-11-0945 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela51. What Girls Need Author Marisa Porges (Quarantine Creatives)Dr. Marisa Porges has had a diverse career, starting by serving as one of only a handful of female fighter pilots in the Navy, working in counterterrorism in the Obama White House, and now leading The Baldwin School outside of Philadelphia. She and Heath discuss her new book What Girls Need: How to Raise Bold, Courageous, and Resilient Women. In it, she offers personal anecdotes and practical advice for setting up our young daughters for success in today's world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...2020-11-0548 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela50. Actor, Comedian, Author Michael Ian Black (Quarantine Creatives)Michael Ian Black is known for his dry comedy style and for acting in movies like Wet Hot American Summer. His latest book, A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, looks at the evolving definition of masculinity. Michael and Heath discuss the differing approaches to projecting manhood between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, how to discuss topics like consent and intimacy with young boys, and why gender privilege can never be considered fully in isolation without also looking at race and class. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...2020-11-0257 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela49. Comedy Legend and Author Merrill Markoe (Quarantine Creatives)Merrill Markoe is an Emmy Award winning comedy writer, co-creator and head writer of Late Night with David Letterman, and an acclaimed author. She joins Heath to discuss her new graphic memoir We Saw Scenery, which she both wrote and illustrated. It tells the story of her adolescence through her diary entries of the time. She also discusses her time at The Comedy Store, working with and dating David Letterman, and her experience at some of the major cultural events of the 1960s. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with oth...2020-10-2953 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela48. Singer/Songwriter Will Kimbrough (Quarantine Creatives)Will Kimbrough is a songwriter, musician, performer, and music producer based in Nashville. He talks with Heath about his 17 years writing songs for Jimmy Buffet, the albums that first hooked him on being a musician, and how he has stayed creative despite not being able to tour. Will also discusses the inspiration behind the songs on his new album Spring Break, which was all recorded at home during the pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com 2020-10-2657 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela47. Culture Warlords Author Talia Lavin (Quarantine Creatives)Journalist Talia Lavin has written for The New Yorker, New Republic, and the Village Voice. Her new book Culture Warlords takes a deep dive into the online world of white supremacists. She talks with Heath about what made her want to explore this movement, what she learned lurking and sometimes participating in far right forums, and why she thinks it's important for all of us to take action against racism, antisemitism, and misogyny. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela...2020-10-2253 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela46. Seattle Broadcaster Turned Builder Scott Carty (Quarantine Creatives)Scott Carty is a Seattle based broadcaster on radio and TV, who became known for conducting interviews with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but he left broadcasting at the start of the pandemic and has turned his energy towards building with his new venture, Backspace Sheds. Scott talks with Heath about his own path into media, behind the scenes stories from interviewing big stars, his move to Christian radio, and why he decided to become a builder. Scott hosts the podcast The Scott Carty Party. This is a public episode. If you would like to...2020-10-1955 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela45. OffScrip Media Co-Founder Matthew Zachary (Quarantine Creatives)Matthew Zachary founded OffScrip Media in 2019 as a podcast network featuring raw, unapologetic shows about patient advocacy, which call on his own experience as a cancer survivor at age 21 and as the former CEO of the nonprofit Stupid Cancer. He talks with Heath about the opportunities of the podcasting space, why audio is such an intimate medium, and what he has learned about why patients struggle with the myriad challenges of the American health care system. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...2020-10-1544 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela44. Yankee Senior Food Editor Amy Traverso (Quarantine Creatives)Amy Traverso is the Senior Food Editor for Yankee Magazine and co-host of the public television series Weekends with Yankee, which is in pre-production for Season 5. She and Heath share stories about working for a legacy brand with a print and TV component, the challenges facing both the restaurant industry and TV production, what makes New England such a unique and special place, and ways that the definition of New England can become more inclusive. Amy is also the author of The Apple Lover's Cookbook. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...2020-10-1250 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela43. Broadcaster and Musician John Tesh (Quarantine Creatives)John Tesh's career has spanned several decades and several different areas of focus. He started in radio and television as an anchor and journalist, hosted Entertainment Tonight for a decade, composes and performs music, and has hosted the radio show Intelligence For Your Life since 1997. He talks with Heath about his relationship to his father growing up, his battle with pancreatic cancer, and where he gets his faith in God. John's memoir Relentless was released earlier this year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...2020-10-081h 00
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela42. The Good Lord Bird's Hubert Point-Du Jour (Quarantine Creatives)Hubert Point-Du Jour has been a working actor on both stage and screen for many years, but The Good Lord Bird on Showtime is the biggest role he's had to date. He talks to Heath about playing an enslaved person before the Civil War and the parallels between abolitionist struggles and the current fight for racial justice. Hubert also discusses how he developed a passion for acting, the work he's put in to learning his craft, and working with famous directors like Phylicia Rashad and Leigh Silverman. This is a public episode. If you would like to...2020-10-0549 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela41. Singer/Songwriter Scott Cook (Quarantine Creatives)Scott Cook is a troubadour from Edmonton, Alberta who has spent the last 13 years on the road across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia playing 150 shows per year. Because of the pandemic, he has spent the last six months at home. Scott talks to Heath about finding himself both on the road and at home, the parallels he sees between his own battles with addiction and climate change, and his new album and book Tangle of Souls. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...2020-10-0150 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela40. Sacred Cow Filmmaker and Author Diana Rodgers (Quarantine Creatives)Diana Rodgers is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, host of the podcast Sustainable Dish, and the filmmaker and author behind the new film/book project Sacred Cow that looks at if meat can be a healthy and sustainable part of a diet. She talks with Heath about what drew her to this subject, working on her first documentary film, and what she sees as the broken and vulnerable parts of our national food system. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.s...2020-09-2852 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela39. Puppeteer, Actor, Producer, Director John Tartaglia (Quarantine Creatives)John Tartaglia was one of the youngest puppeteers ever hired on Sesame Street at the age of 16. Since then, he's originated roles in Avenue Q, created and starred in Johnny and the Sprites and Splash and Bubbles, and is now a performer and executive producer on Fraggle Rock for AppleTV+. He talks with Heath about the technical aspects of puppeteering, plus the challenges of creating shows for cruise ships and theme parks, and the roots of his admiration for Jim Henson. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...2020-09-2457 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela38. Filthy Rich's Aaron Lazar (Quarantine Creatives)Aaron Lazar is an actor and singer, having performed in 11 Broadway productions, plus movies and TV. On Fox's Filthy Rich, which premieres on September 21, he plays a reverend on a Christian broadcasting network. Aaron talks to Heath about his own journey of self-discovery and his relationship to the unknown, plus his feelings about our identity as Americans and how the pandemic may be changing that. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Wil...2020-09-2150 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela37. Ratched's Jon Jon Briones (Quarantine Creatives)Jon Jon Briones stars in the new Netflix series Ratched, which is a suspenseful prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest set on the California Coast of the 1940s. Heath and Jon Jon discuss working with Ryan Murphy, Sarah Paulson, and Sharon Stone, plus growing up poor in the Philippines, performing in Miss Saigon all over the world including Broadway and the West End, and how his kids found their passion working in the entertainment business. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...2020-09-1750 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela36. Spirit Series Directors Richard and Leslie Strauss (Quarantine Creatives)Richard Strauss founded Spirit Series in 2001 and serves as National Executive Director, while Leslie is National Co-Director. Their program brings drama-based learning to children in grades four through eight. They discuss with Heath the origins of the program, how it builds confidence and teamwork, and the challenges of moving an in-person program to a remote workflow once the pandemic closed schools. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.su...2020-09-1447 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela35. Our Cartoon President EP RJ Fried (Quarantine Creatives)RJ Fried is the show runner, an executive producer, and a performer on the Showtime series Our Cartoon President and Tooning Out the News on CBS All Access. He talks with Heath about the delicate task of properly satirizing President Trump, the challenges of moving an animation workflow to home production, why he thinks the show could outlive the Trump Administration, and the advice he's received from Stephen Colbert. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com G...2020-09-1046 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela34. Never Have I Ever Co-Creator Lang Fisher (Quarantine Creatives)Lang Fisher is a writer and producer who co-created Never Have I Ever for Netflix with Mindy Kaling, a teen comedy that focuses on the life of an Indian American teenager. Lang talks with Heath about the development of the series, how her own background influenced the story of Devi, and casting first time actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in the lead. She also talks about some of the early plans for season 2, which may begin shooting later this fall if it can be done safely. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...2020-09-0746 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela33. Ample Hills Founders Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna (Quarantine Creatives)Husband and wife duo Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna founded Ample Hills Creamery in Brooklyn in 2010 after Brian left a career as a screenwriter and audio producer. The brand grew quickly, counting Bob Iger, Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, and Oprah Winfrey as fans. Brian and Jackie talk to Heath about their fast climb and steep fall, declaring bankruptcy just as coronavirus was shutting down New York and ultimately losing their roles in the company they founded. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bon...2020-09-031h 00
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela32. America's Test Kitchen EP Kaitlin Keleher (Quarantine Creatives)Kaitlin Keleher oversees production on both TV and podcast projects at America's Test Kitchen. She talks with Heath about the technical, creative, and logistical challenges of shooting America's Test Kitchen from home this year. She also shares some of the secrets of what make podcasts like Proof and The Walk-In so popular and the challenges of growing and evolving a brand that is so well known and beloved. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get fu...2020-08-3152 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela31. Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg (Quarantine Creatives)Louie Schwartzberg is known for using techniques like time lapse, high speed, and macro images to change our perception of the natural world. Louie's latest film is Fantastic Fungi, which looks at the role that mushrooms play in creating soil, providing food for humans, and altering our consciousness. Louie shares with Heath how the release strategy of his film was impacted by COVID, the lessons that he has learned from nature, and shares some behind the scenes insights into his process. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...2020-08-271h 04
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela30. Actor and Singer Sarah Stiles (Quarantine Creatives)Tony award nominee Sarah Stiles is known for her work on Broadway, including in the stage adaptation of Tootsie. Her most recent project, the Netflix comedy series The Crew, was halted due to COVID-19. She talks to Heath about the new regulations in place when she returns to complete the series. She also discusses learning to puppeteer for Avenue Q, the differences between acting for stage and screen, and her debut EP "You Can Ukulele with Me," which is available on all music platforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...2020-08-2444 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela29. Full Frontal EP Alison Camillo (Quarantine Creatives)Alison Camillo is one of the Executive Producers of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. She talks to Heath about writing and producing the show remotely during the pandemic, figuring out the technical challenges of Sam recoding the show from her backyard, and not compromising on quality despite the strange times. Alison also discusses her history with The Daily Show, where she worked for 18 years prior to joining Full Frontal, and what it was like to move to a new home during COVID. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...2020-08-2053 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela28. The Daily Show's Desi Lydic (Quarantine Creatives)Desi Lydic joined The Daily Show with Trevor Noah in 2015 as a correspondent and starred in the Comedy Central special Desi Lydic: Abroad in 2019. She joins Heath to talk about the challenges of making The Daily Show from home, how she finds common ground with her Fox News watching family, the work that goes in to a good interview, and the importance of closing the gender gap. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full ac...2020-08-1747 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela27. Chef Lidia Bastianich (Quarantine Creatives)Lidia Bastianich is a chef, restauranteur, author, and host of Lidia's Kitchen and Lidia Celebrates America on PBS. She joins Heath to talk about cooking during the quarantine and how TV production has changed for her during this time. She also shares memories of growing up on her grandmother's farm in Istria and talks about the classic Italian techniques for preserving and storing food. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hi...2020-08-1350 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela26. Author and Podcaster Sarah Kendzior (Quarantine Creatives)Sarah Kendzior is a St. Louis based author and anthropologist who has applied her studies of authoritarian regimes overseas to the current political climate in America. She talks to Heath about her new book Hiding in Plain Sight, which claims that "the Trump administration is a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government," plus her thoughts on what to expect with the fall elections, and how to still find hope. Sarah also cohosts the podcast Gaslit Nation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...2020-08-101h 00
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela25. Disney Historian and Former Imagineer Tom K. Morris (Quarantine Creatives)Tom K. Morris began his career at Disney working as a front line cast member in Disneyland, before going on to design attractions, lands, and even whole parks across the world. He talks with Heath about the book he's currently writing about the early designers of Disneyland, most of whom came from the film industry. He also discusses his work on Journey into Imagination, Splash Mountain, Hong Kong Disneyland and Cars Land. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.co...2020-08-061h 02
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela24. The Jim Henson Company's Halle Stanford (Quarantine Creatives)As President of Television for The Jim Henson Company, Halle Stanford leads development and production of all television projects. She and Heath discuss Zoom fatigue while working remotely, producing Fraggle Rock shorts with iPhones, and how the company has evolved and changed in her tenure. She also shares behind the scenes stories from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a new series on Netflix that she executive produced and for which she was just earned her eleventh Emmy Award nomination. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...2020-08-0358 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela23. TV and Radio Host Ernie Manouse (Quarantine Creatives)Ernie Manouse is a fixture in Houston, Texas, hosting both TV and radio shows for Houston Public Media's PBS and NPR stations. He currently hosts Houston Matters Special Edition, a radio program that looks at local effects of COVID-19. Ernie talks with Heath about mask compliance, school reopening, and the mood in Houston. He also discusses his career in broadcasting including hosting Manor of Speaking, a show about Downton Abbey, living out as a gay man, and encounters with Al Pacino and Julie Andrews. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...2020-07-3051 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela22. Voice Actor Stefan Johnson (Quarantine Creatives)Stefan Johnson is a Cleveland based voice actor who has voiced campaigns for McDonald's, the Orlando Magic, SEGA, Boost Mobile, Wells Fargo, and many more brands. He also does character work for animation and video games. Stefan talks with Heath about the path that led him to voice acting and what it took for him to make the leap to doing this work full time. He also shares advice for people that want to get started in the business. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...2020-07-2745 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela21. New York Times Columnist Ronda Kaysen (Quarantine Creatives)Ronda Kaysen is a home and real estate reporter who created the Right at Home column and writes the Ask Real Estate column for The New York Times. She talks to Heath about how our concept of home has shifted because of the pandemic, the challenges facing New Yorkers navigating COVID at home, plus how HGTV and This Old House define our sense of home. Ronda is the co-author with Michelle Higgins of The New York Times: Right at Home: How to Buy, Decorate, Organize, and Maintain Your Space. This is a public episode. If you wo...2020-07-2355 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela20. ABC Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee (Quarantine Creatives)Ginger Zee is ABC's Chief Meteorologist, appearing daily on Good Morning America, plus on World New Tonight, Hearts of Heroes, and was even a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. She talks to Heath about her home studio setup, her family's battle with COVID-19 in March, how to change minds about climate change, sharing personal struggles, and what she loves about the Disney Parks. Ginger is the author of Natural Disaster and the Chasing Helicity series. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...2020-07-2041 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela19. CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem (Quarantine Creatives)As a member of President Obama’s Department of Homeland Security, Juliette Kayyem handled the response to the H1N1 pandemic, among other large logistical challenges, and she now shares her perspective as an analyst on CNN and professor at Harvard. She joins Heath to talk about the current state of the Coronavirus response, what her own routine looks like these days, and her prediction for school reopening this fall. Juliette is the author of "Security Mom" and a columnist for The Atlantic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...2020-07-1643 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela18. Broadway Director Leigh Silverman (Quarantine Creatives)Leigh Silverman is a New York based live theatre director for both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. As one of the most prominent female directors, she advocates for women in roles of power in the theatre. She talks to Heath about how she got her start on the touring company of RENT, the challenges of directing for the stage, and what the future of live theatre might look like post-COVID. She also discusses her quarantine project- directing a shot from home video for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...2020-07-1350 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela17. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Michael Zegen (Quarantine Creatives)Michael Zegen plays Joel on the Amazon series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and is also known for his work on Rescue Me and Boardwalk Empire. He talks with Heath about the evolution of Joel Maisel, how he and Rachel Brosnahan bonded before playing a married couple, and Michael's own fears about being a standup comedian. Michael also talks about how COVID closed down the live musical Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice in which he was starring and what performing theatre was like in the days just before the shut down. This is a public episode. If you wo...2020-07-0939 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela14. Casting Director Jennifer Euston (Quarantine Creatives)Jennifer Euston is an Emmy Award winning New York based casting director that has cast some of the most memorable ensembles in recent television, including Orange is the New Black, Girls, and GLOW. She talks with Heath about how the pandemic has affected her process, how her love of classic films of the 1930s and 40s influenced her decision to go into casting, and about the new project she's casting, a Jenji Kohan show that's all shot remotely. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...2020-06-291h 03
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela13. YouTube Maker Jimmy DiResta (Quarantine Creatives)Jimmy DiResta has been working with tools since childhood, which led him to a career as a TV host on FX, HGTV, DIY Network, Discovery, and NBC. However, for 8 years, Jimmy's primary mode of reaching an audience is through his successful YouTube channel, with close to 2 million subscribers. He talks with Heath about the TV business, what he's learned about being his own boss, and how he makes money by creating and distributing his video content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...2020-06-251h 08
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela12. Comedy Director Payman Benz (Quarantine Creatives)Payman Benz is a comedy director who has directed episodes of Black Monday, Brooklyn 99, and Last Man on Earth, plus sketches for shows like Who is America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Key and Peele. He talks with Heath about his quarantine project Rascal Activism, the role of a director on a comedy set, working with Sacha Baron Cohen, and directing the new Comedy Central show Robbie which stars Rory Scovel. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com 2020-06-221h 02
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela11. HGTV's Erin and Ben Napier (Quarantine Creatives)Erin and Ben Napier are the stars of HGTV's hit renovation show Home Town. They join Heath to discuss how Coronavirus will impact production on Season 5, why they love old houses, the satisfaction of hand crafting, the resourcefulness of Southerners, and the role of faith in their lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2020-06-1852 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela10. The Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr. (Quarantine Creatives)Roy Wood Jr. is a standup comedian, actor, and since 2015, a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Roy talks to Heath about the challenges of finding comedy with the pace of news right now, the role of the police in his comedy, how his role at The Daily Show has had to evolve because of the pandemic, and the future of standup comedy in the time of COVID. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com 2020-06-1535 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela9. Comedian, Writer, Performer Jordan Carlos (Quarantine Creatives)Jordan Carlos has a unique point of view on the television business, having worked as an ad writer, standup comedian, actor, and comedy writer for shows on BET, MTV, VH1, HBO, Netflix, and Comedy Central. He is perhaps best known as a writer and contributor to The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Jordan and Heath discuss how The Nightly Show would cover 2020, the perils of being a black writer brought in as a "diversity hire," and doing standup comedy in a parking lot during the quarantine. This is a public episode. If you would like to di...2020-06-111h 04
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela8. Actor, Woodworker Nick Offerman (Quarantine Creatives)Nick Offerman is truly a jack of all trades: actor, comedian, author, musician, podcaster, and woodworker, just to name a few. He chats with Heath about the current state of the country, the Parks and Recreation Special episode, playing Ron Swanson, staying busy during the pandemic, and how the Coronavirus crisis may lead to a healthier relationship with everything from commercialism to agriculture. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills a...2020-06-0858 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela7. Radio and Podcast Host Tom Ashbrook (Quarantine Creatives)Tom Ashbrook was the host of NPR's On Point for 16 years and is the co-host of the new podcast Swing State. He joins Heath to discuss the news of the last few months including the protests over the killing of George Floyd, the pandemic response, and the situation in Hong Kong. He also opens up about the loss of his wife to cancer and his public firing from WBUR. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Ge...2020-06-041h 06
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela6. Film Editor Vashi Nedomansky (Quarantine Creatives)Vashi Nedomansky, ACE, is a Los Angeles based editor who has edited 11 feature films plus more than 50 national commercials. Vashi and Heath share memories of creating and editing home videos as kids and the thrill of having your first work screened. Vashi also relates filmmaking to hockey, which he played professionally for 10 years. And he discusses how post production workflows have had to adapt to Coronavirus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to...2020-06-0155 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela4. Former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto (Quarantine Creatives)Eddie Sotto has had a long career designing public entertainment spaces like high-end car dealerships, destination retail stores, and theme parks, having served as Senior Vice President of Concept Design at Walt Disney Imagineering. Eddie and Heath discuss the parallels between filmmaking and theme park design, the challenges to public venues in light of Coronavirus, and using creative thinking to safely entertain theme park guests. Eddie owns Los Angeles based Sotto Studios. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.co...2020-05-2550 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela3. Actor and Voice Over Artist Chris Agos (Quarantine Creatives)Chris Agos is an actor, voice over artist, and the author of "Acting in Chicago" and "Voice Over Start Up Guide." He shares stories with Heath about good and bad networking, how actors can stay busy and hone their craft during this pandemic, and ways that he thinks technology may impact production and acting after COVID-19. He also discusses his role in "For All Mankind," which is streaming now on AppleTV+. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com 2020-05-2157 min
Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela1. Actor Scott Foley (Quarantine Creatives)In the first episode of Quarantine Creatives, Heath talks to actor and director Scott Foley (Felicity, Scandal, Whiskey Cavalier) about being at home with three kids, woodworking and other home projects, his postponed shows for Fox and HBOMax, and when he thinks scripted dramas can get back to work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heathracela.substack.com Get full access to Willoughby Hills at heathracela.substack.com/subscribe2020-05-1451 min