Shows
1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJosh Stolberg (Saw X, Piranha 3D) - 098Josh Stolberg is a Screenwriter and Director. The Saw Franchise, Avatar, Piranha 3D, and that’s just barely tipping the iceberg of his extensive resume. He has a new podcast called "Darren and Josh Make A Movie". It’s a must-listen for any writer slash filmmaker slash creative.
2025-07-291h 011000 w/ Ron PlaconeAngeline Mirenda (AP Sex Education) - 097Angeline Mirenda is a Sex Educator. I saw her Hollywood Fringe Show, AP Sex Education. Not only was it entertaining, but also incredibly informative. She draws the connection between sex ed in the US and imperialism, racism, and capitalism. Ready to talk about sex?
2025-07-2254 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJason Freeman (Zeke) - 096Jason Freeman is a musician. He plays bass for the hardcore punk band, Zeke. Zeke’s been a legendary Seattle institution since the early 90s, setting their own bar, fitting in nowhere and everywhere all at once. We talk about him joining the band, how he discovered music, and the phenomenon that was the Seattle music scene of the 1990s.
2025-07-1555 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeWalker Bragman (Public Health in the Rise of Eugenics) - 095Walker Bragman is a journalist. He covered Electoral Politics, particularly during Bernie’s first run in 2016, and now his main focus is public health. Right now, literal eugenics is on the rise in the United States, and this isn’t limited to some 4Chan space, this is an actual positions of power. We dive deep in this one.
2025-07-081h 201000 w/ Ron PlaconeMatthew Rantanen - (Tribal Broadband Bootcamp, MuniBroadband) - 094If you know me, you know Municipal Broadband, also known as Public Broadband, is an important issue to me. Matthew Rantanen is one of the founders of Tribal Broadband Bootcamp. It’s an extensive that teaches the development and maintenance of public broadband systems on tribal lands. I got to attend one. It was life-changing.Matt’s also a crazy interesting guy. He’s a soccer player, a graphic designer, he grows food, and he found his way to being a broadband advocate. He’s petitioned government, and brought countless networks to life.
2025-07-0151 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeKelly Spillman (Battling Stage 4 Colon Cancer) - 093Kelly Spillman is a psychology professor and comedian. She’s also a friend of mine. In 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer. She has a show currently running at the Hollywood Fringe Festival called “I Blame Florida”. The show documents her cancer battle, as well as how she finds meaning and hope in this incredibly difficult struggle. This is an emotional one y’all...
2025-06-2455 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGiovannie Espiritu (NCIS, Acting Coach) - 092Giovannie Espiritu is an actress, filmmaker, and educator. She’s escaped from a cult, an abusive marriage, she’s overcome extensive loss and grief, all while maintaining a family and a career. To say her story is inspirational is an understatement.
2025-06-1757 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeRobin Waite (Take Your Shot) - 091Robin Waite is an author, mentor, and coach. I came across Robin’s book, “Take Your Shot”, and I absolutely loved it. It used story to teach the principles of turning your passion project into a sustainable living. Robin narrated the audiobook himself. I couldn’t stop listening to it. It used golf as a back drop, best part, I don’t even like golf! I decided I needed to learn more about Robin and his story.
2025-06-1049 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconePeter Joseph (Zeitgeist, InterReflections) - 090Peter Joseph is a filmmaker, author, musician, and activist. Years ago, he released the Zeitgeist documentary for free online. He went viral before there was a term for such a thing. He spawned a movement that had chapters all over the world. He’s released other films and books since. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with him a few times over the years, and we've kept in touch. He’s a fairly private guy, so it was cool to learn more about the man behind the work.
2025-06-0354 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeSatori Shakoor (Parliament-Funkadelic, Storytelling, Detroit) - 089Satori Shakoor is a storyteller, singer, actress, and comedian. She’s lived multiple lives in multiple places but she’s always found her way back to the Motor City. She’s worked with legends in comedy and film, and she toured with Parliament-Funkadelic. Yes, you heard that right.
2025-05-2752 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeCaroline O'Riordan (Healthcare Activism, Hollywood4CalCare) - 088Caroline O’Riordan is a writer, filmmaker, and healthcare activist. She founded the group Hollywood4CalCare, an organization dedicated to making health care a human right in California. That’s how I met her, and she was at the Termination Fee preview. We get to know her origin story, and of course we go off on some policy talk.
2025-05-2058 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeBrian Kiley (Conan, Letterman, Emmy Winner) - 087Brian Kiley is a comedic force. He’s a stand-up and writer. He wrote for Conan for nearly 30 years, he’s won Emmys, and he’s among the most respected comedy writers in the game. He’s the type of comic where when you’re on a bill with him, you never want to miss his set. I was stoked when he agreed to do the show.
2025-05-1350 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJoslyn Sky (Overcoming Retinitis Pigmentosa) - 086Joslyn Sky is a singer, musician, and speaker. She has Retinitis Pigmentosa, or RP for short. This is a disease that causes progressive damage to the retina and often leads to limited vision or blindness. I saw Joslyn perform, and wanted to know her story. She uses her condition to educate others, and to create. We get into everything from religion to philosophy to politics, we have different points of view, which, hey, it’d be boring if we didn’t.
2025-05-0650 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGary Arndt (Everything Everywhere Daily) - 085Gary 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.
2025-04-2948 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeNate Golon (Workshop, Briefcase) - 084Nate 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!
2025-04-2258 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeBarbra Dillon (Fanbase Press, Comic Book Publishing) - 083Comics! 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.
2025-04-1546 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJeremy Fury (Jeremy & The Harlequins, Little Steven's Underground Garage) - 082Jeremy 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!
2025-04-0844 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeEsteban Gast (Climate Comedy Cohort) - 081Esteban 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.
2025-04-011h 071000 w/ Ron PlaconeMike Royce (One Day at a Time, Everybody Loves Raymond) - 080Calling 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.
2025-03-2548 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAlonzo Bodden (Last Comic Standing, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me) - 079Alonzo Bodden is a comedian and actor. He won Last Comic Standing (Season 3), he’s a regular on the NPR show “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” and that’s barely touching his resume. I’ve known Alonzo for a long time and always loved crossing paths with him. I get to know a bit more about the man behind the content in this episode, though we definitely dive into the weeds of the current state of affairs. Tough not to.
2025-03-1855 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeLee Camp (Unredacted Tonight) - 078Lee Camp is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and show host. He hosted the teeth-as-sharp-nails political comedy show, Redacted Tonight, which tragically got axed as the result of years of misdirected nationwide hysteria. I’ve known Lee for a long time, given the theme of the show, I’d originally planned for him to be a December episode, but he’s got a new show out, so the time is now!
2025-03-1155 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeEddy MacKenzie (Blood and Honey 2, Edinburgh Fringe) - 077Eddy MacKenzie is an actor, musician, and comedian. I first met Eddy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023. The fest was in its last week, many performers were understandably tired. Eddy was a constant force of positive energy. The way he speaks, it’s hard to describe, but it’s almost like constant laughter. He’s the type of guy where when you’re around him, you can’t help but be in a good mood. Recently, he played Piglet in the cult-horror film Blood and Honey 2.
2025-03-0454 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeEleanor Goldfield (Project Censored, Common Censored) - 076Eleanor Goldfield is a journalist, filmmaker, and, more than anything, she’s a creative radical. She co-hosts Common Censored and Project Censored. Also, I hope she doesn’t mind my saying so, she put out some killer music a few years back. I’ve been following her for years now, and figured now was a perfect time for us to dive into the world.
2025-02-2548 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeChris Kluwe (Blacklisted from the NFL) - 075A 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.
2025-02-181h 001000 w/ Ron PlaconeJess Pettitt (Project 2025 Researcher, Speaker, Author) - 074Jess 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.
2025-02-1156 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeSam Richard (Weirdpunk Books) - 073Sam 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.
2025-02-041h 061000 w/ Ron PlaconeBryant Odega (Late Night ICE Knocks to Harvard) - 072Bryant 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.
2025-01-281h 051000 w/ Ron PlaconeHavilah Malone (Best Selling Author) - 071Havilah 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.
2025-01-211h 051000 w/ Ron PlaconeSally Mullins (Comedian to Porn Star to Animal Rescue) - 070Sally 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.
2025-01-1456 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeChad Riden (Off-Grid Living, Earthships) - 069Curious 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
2025-01-0752 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeKrish Mohan (Exploring Happiness) - 068Krish 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
2024-12-3156 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGraham Elwood - 067Graham 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.
2024-12-241h 251000 w/ Ron PlaconeJordan Chariton (Status Coup, We The Poisoned) - 066Jordan 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...
2024-12-1755 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeCourtney Cronin (Chelsea Handler, Mohr Sports) - 065Courtney 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.
2024-12-1052 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeTina-Desiree Berg (Real Journalism) - 064Tina-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.
2024-12-031h 041000 w/ Ron PlaconeFranz Nicolay (The Hold Steady, Band People) - 063Franz 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.
2024-11-2641 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeSilverio Tucci (Italian Leftist Punk Rock) - 062Silverio 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 ha...
2024-11-1939 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeThomas Frank (Listen Liberal) - 061Thomas 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...
2024-11-121h 341000 w/ Ron PlaconeDennis Jagard (Ten Foot Pole) - 060Dennis 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!
2024-11-0557 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeDanny McDermott (Party Panda - The Birth of a Serial Killer) - 059Danny 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!
2024-10-2933 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAnastasia Washington (Horror Scream Queen) - 058Anastasia 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.
2024-10-2247 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeSamantha Hale (Horror Nerd) - 057Samantha 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!
2024-10-1549 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGreg Palast - 056Voting 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.
2024-10-0839 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJay Befaunt (Revolutionary Blackout Network) - 055James 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.
2024-10-011h 051000 w/ Ron PlaconeKaytlin Bailey (Old Pros Online) - 054Kaytlin 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.
2024-09-2452 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeZeynab Day - 053Zeynab 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.
2024-09-171h 131000 w/ Ron PlaconeJosh Spector - 052Josh 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.
2024-09-1054 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeSabby Sabs - 051Sabrina 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.
2024-09-0354 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJoy Damiani - 050Joy 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.
2024-08-2754 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeDarrin Bradbury (From Music To Mutual Aid) - 049Darrin 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 s...
2024-08-201h 021000 w/ Ron PlaconeValentina Martelli (Italian RAI Journalist & Entrepreneur) - 048Italophiles 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.
2024-08-1343 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMichael Blaha (From Attorney to Fringe Producer) - 047Michael 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.
2024-08-0654 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAndrew Frank (From Evangelical To Gender Queer) - 046Andrew 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.
2024-07-3049 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMarco Di Pinto (BeComedyUK) - 045Marco 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 pos...
2024-07-2353 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeTuesday Thomas (Being Transgender in the 70s) - 044Tuesday 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.
2024-07-161h 011000 w/ Ron PlaconeMike Park - 043Mike 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.
2024-07-0944 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMargaret Killjoy - 042Margaret 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.
2024-07-0254 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGoat vs. Fish - 041Goat 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.
2024-06-2544 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconePaul Strickland (Storyteller) - 040Paul 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.
2024-06-1855 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeNancy Woo (Poet and Climate Activist) - 039Nancy 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.
2024-06-1149 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeKennedy Cooper (Reflecting On Lefty Media) - 038Kennedy 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.
2024-06-0456 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeHamell On Trial (One Man Rock N Roll Institution) - 037Hamell 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 som...
2024-05-281h 031000 w/ Ron PlaconeStavros Batras (A Hollywood Career Outside of Hollywood) - 036Stavros 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...
2024-05-2140 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeNicole Laurenne (The Darts) - 035Nicole 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...
2024-05-1455 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconePaul Gilmartin (Mental Illness Happy Hour) - 034Paul 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 hi...
2024-05-0758 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeKatie Love (ex-JW) - 033Katie 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.
2024-04-301h 081000 w/ Ron PlaconeChris Lee (...Football Against Fascism) - 032Chris 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.
2024-04-2348 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeTim Parks (Italian Neighbors) - 031Tim Parks is an author, novelist and academic. One niche of his: He writes about moving and living in Italy as somebody from a different country. I’ve read several of his books on that topic as well as a book he wrote about overcoming a very severe illness.
2024-04-161h 021000 w/ Ron PlaconeChris Silber (Sam A Saxon) - 030Wanna be a writer? This episode’s for you. Chris Silber is a writer. He’s had movies and television shows produced all over the world. One time, I was chatting with Chris, he had a series launching in the UK, a movie launching in Italy, and he was developing a series in the US. He did all of this from his house in Nashville. His more recent projects include Sam a Saxon on Disney Plus and a children’s book based on how he helped his daughter deal with the death of her mom and Chris’s late wife. In...
2024-04-0945 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJerry Rocha (Fighting Stage 4 Cancer) - 029Jerry Rocha is a comedian and a damn good one. I met Jerry in 2015, right before I moved to LA. We became friends and like most LA comics didn’t stay in touch all that great, just how it goes especially out here. Recently, I saw a clip of Jerry’s online and while it was a hilarious joke it contained some not great news: Jerry had stage 4 cancer.
2024-04-021h 031000 w/ Ron PlaconeFrancesco Il Mercante - 028Francesco Il Mercante is an Italian musician and busker who has performed all over the world. He has built a one-man band assemble that allows him to do percussion and play guitar and at times harmonica, simultaneously. The entire thing is mobile, and he can carry it in a backpack. Due to his unique talent, he’s gone viral on YouTube multiple times. His version of Bitter Sweet Symphony' I prefer over the original. Also, I’ve mentioned in the past that I have two favorite versions of the anti-fascist song, 'Bella Ciao'. One is by Jess Silk (Episode 8), and...
2024-03-2640 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAttila the Stockbroker - 027Attila the Stockbroker is a poet, a punk troubadour, a musician, a force. He started in the UK punk scene in the early 80s. Throughout this interview, he recalls being heckled by nazis in the early 80s, seeing Black Flag’s first London show, his role in organizing his local progressive football club...If you like punk rock, left-wing politics, you’re not gonna want to miss a minute of this. When I was in Edinburgh in 2023, sadly Attila and I had shows at the exact same time, but he had one deviation in his schedule so I was able...
2024-03-1957 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMelanie Chartoff (Rugrats) - 026If you grew up with Rugrats like me you're gonna love this! Melanie Chartoff is an actor, voice over artist, and author. I first met Melanie when we were on a show together for the Funny Times, a syndicated newspaper we’re both a part of, she writes a column for them and they carry Lucy & Ron, the comic I write. Melanie did a reading, her prose were incredible and she crushed. Among her extensive list of credits, she voiced Dee Dee Pickles in the Rugrats cartoon. That show was a huge deal, especially for Millennials like me. We gr...
2024-03-1236 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeGigi Sohn - 025Gigi Sohn is an attorney and public advocate. She’s served on the FCC in the past, and when she was nominated by Joe Biden many of us were thrilled. She’s been a leader, especially when it comes to issues like Net Neutrality, for many years. A right-wing smear campaign followed her nomination, and after three hearings, each more absurd than the last, she had to withdraw. It’s tragic she’s not currently at the FCC, the good news though, she has a new project that dare I say is pretty exciting. Tech policy wonks, rejoice!
2024-03-0549 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAfeni - 024Afeni is an activist, organizer and abolitionist. I’ve followed her stuff online for awhile and I’ve interviewed her in different capacities over the years. She’s part of a movement of community engagement, dominated by people in their 20s, that I find pretty admirable and dare I say, hopeful. You’re definitely gonna hear some ideas that challenge the norms, that’s part of 1000.
2024-02-2753 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeRuss Rankin (Good Riddance) - 023Russ Rankin is the singer of the legendary punk band, Good Riddance. He’s also a hockey scout and a writer. Russ and I have some big pillars in common: Punk rock, hockey, and lefty politics. Russ is a member of the Green Party USA. It’s worth mentioning: This episode was recorded in December of 2023. At the time, I was registered as No Party Preference. I am now registered as a member of the Green Party. This conversation with Russ inspired that decision.
2024-02-2052 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeDr. Jill Stein - 022Jill Stein is a doctor, environmentalist, activist and prominent member of the Green Party USA. She’s run for office in the past and she’s running for President this year, 2024. I first met her during my time working on the Jimmy Dore Show and I’ve interviewed her in different capacities over the years. Given the nature of 1000, this may be our last interview together.
2024-02-1347 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMike Figueredo (Humanist Report) - 021Mike Figueredo is the creator of the popular YouTube show and podcast, the Humanist Report. We dwell in a similar indie online media space and we’ve always gotten along because we have some things in common - both big on digital rights, both former academics, and we’re around the same age. As the years went by, personalities would clash and at various times Mike and I were kinda in the middle of various online feuds. We always stayed cool with each other, but we never really addressed any of it until now.
2024-02-061h 021000 w/ Ron PlaconeVariety D - 020Variety D is a comedian and disability rights activist. She’s the first black disabled comedian in Britain. I met her in Edinburgh, I go into more detail in the interview, but basically, her energy was infectious. Have you ever met someone and thought, “I want to be friends with this person.”? It was that kinda energy. We go a little long here. Sometimes comics tend to riff with each other, especially when they have something like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in common.
2024-01-301h 041000 w/ Ron PlaconeJohn Nichols - 019John Nichols is a labor journalist, Nation contributor and author. We talk the history of the media reform movement past to present, the state of labor and of course, the 2024 election.
2024-01-2357 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeChris Fafalios (Punchline) - 018Chris Fafalios is a musician, podcaster, producer and more. Growing up, I followed Chris’ band, Punchline. They’re an excellent pop/punk band still going strong to this day. Chris is the producer of one of my favorite podcasts, "Chris Demakes a Podcast" hosted by Chris Demakes of Less Than Jake. We talk about it and get a pretty cool origin story, we also dive into all of Chris’ other projects and of course, we talk music.
2024-01-1652 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeRonan Taylor (Biospheric Restoration Systems) - 017Do you know what Biospheric Restoration is? Basically, we have the ability to develop forests at a very rapid rate, such an effort could help us mitigate climate change. Ronan Taylor is an in-the-field activist who has worked in numerous fields within natural sciences, and organizations including the Smithsonean Institution and TED. He explains Biospheric Restoration and other climate related concepts in an easy-to-understand manner, though at times in this interview you’ll find me doing my best to keep up. It’s a shame I feel the need to give this disclaimer, but given the hyper-hostile online times we’r...
2024-01-0951 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeCharlie Wiener - 016Episode 016. Charlie Wiener. Charlie Wiener is a musician, author, and, this is how I met him: Charlie Wiener is a road comic, a badge he wore with pride for many years. Charlie decided to retire from Stand-up, and his reasoning is incredibly interesting and insightful. Lastly, one day many years ago in Rhode Island, Charlie gave me some life advice I’ve always tried to carry with me since. I think that when you hear it it’ll make sense why he’s the perfect episode to start the new year. Please welcome to the show, Charlie Wiener.
2024-01-0256 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAnthony Rankin - 015Anthony Rankin is a musician, songwriter and producer. He's one of the hardest working people I know. Also, he’s one of my closest and oldest friends, we’ve been friends since we were 5-years-old. He helped me through the toughest time I’ve ever had in my life.
2023-12-2652 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeKermet Apio - 014Kermet Apio is a comedian and a musician specializing in traditional Hawaiian music. His specials on Dry Bar Comedy have garnered millions of views. He’s based in Seattle and when I started comedy there Kermet was a big mentor to me and still is. He sets a model example of how to be both on and off stage. I’ve known Kermet for over a decade now and I still have not met a single person who has a bad thing to say about the guy and I doubt I ever will, that’s the kind of guy he is...
2023-12-191h 121000 w/ Ron PlaconeTodd Hibbeler - 013Ever wondered how to have a career in the Renaissance Faire circuit? Ever been thorough a tough breakup? Todd Hibbeler is a Renaissance Faire professional. He’s crafted an amazing career for himself from a performer to a franchised food vendor, and it all started with a broken toilet. Also, Todd’s a good friend of mine, and he helped me through the toughest breakup I’ve ever had.
2023-12-1251 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeAndy Iwancio - 012Andy Iwancio is a comedian, creative and DJ. She’s taken those niches and woven a beautiful creative quilt for herself. Her debut full-length, “Better Living Through Feministry”, comes out this Friday, December 8, 2023 on Kill Rock Stars. Andy and I started comedy together in Seattle, and she was one of the first friends I made in the scene.
2023-12-051h 001000 w/ Ron PlaconeLach - 011Lach is an Edinburgh-via-NYC-based musician, radio host and author. Regina Spektor. The Moldy Peaches. Beck. Hamell On Trial. Soft Black. All of those artists have one music scene in common. The New York later Lower East Side Anti-Folk scene that Lach is the main architect of. We talk about the building of that scene as well as his newest creative endeavor. Lach recently wrote and published a young adult fiction novel called Langdimania. I’ve read and it’s great. Imagine Narnia meets Hitchhiker’ Guide to the Galaxy.
DISCLAIMER: There's a bit of a connection lag the first...
2023-11-2857 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeDr. Gabriel Rockhill - 010Gabriel Rockhill is an academic, author, organizer and activist. He is the Founding Director of the Critical Theory Workshop which operates both in the US and in France. He’s one of the few radical academics out there in the US, and an incredibly brilliant guy to talk to.
2023-11-2147 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeArtsy Marxist - 009Ever thought about leaving the United States? This episode is for you. Artsy Marxist and their partner left the United States for Mexico, and they share their story. Artsy Marxist is an incredible artist and activist who teaches art and livestreams art sessions on YouTube and Twitch. We talk politics, what lead Artsy Marxist to communism, revolution, religion, and of course, art.
2023-11-1455 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJess Silk - 008Jess Silk is a singer/songwriter out of the UK. She’s one of my favorite up-and-coming acts and I’m not alone there. In just a few short years she’s gained a loyal and growing following. And it’s obvious she’s just getting started. We talk about US/UK politics, black cats, and the legendary Italian anti-fascist hymn, Bella Ciao. Her music can be found at jesssilk.bandcamp.com
2023-11-0740 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMartin Barre - 007Martin Barre is best known as the guitarist in the legendary classic rock band, Jethro Tull. One of my favorite bands. Martin and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull parted ways awhile ago and Martin’s current project is the Martin Barre Band. We talk about his new(er) band, the split between he and Ian, some behind the scenes takes on some of Tull's legendary recordings and more!
2023-10-3126 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeMargaret Kimberley - 006Margaret Kimberley is an author, journalist and activist. She is the Editor and Senior Columnist for Black Agenda Report, a news and commentary outlet from the Black Left. I've followed Margaret's work awhile now and this interview I get to know more about her history. Also, we talk about the Cornel West campaign, the upcoming Presidential Election and the ongoing crisis in Israel/Palestine.
2023-10-2453 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeJello Biafra - 005Jello Biafra is a musician, spoken word artist, comedian, Green Party member and owner of Alternative Tentacles. He was the founder and singer of the Dead Kennedys. We cover a ton of ground, from his mayoral and Presidential campaigns, to Tipper Gore's war on music, to the police raiding his house. Buckle in, this one's a hell of a ride.
2023-10-171h 081000 w/ Ron PlaconeCory Doctorow - 004Cory Doctorow is a blogger, science-fiction writer, activist, creative and tech policy expert. He's invented his own lane and has mastered it. He's worked with the EFF, a leading digital rights organization, for over 20 years, and founded one of the largest blogs in the US, Boing Boing.
2023-10-1051 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeStephanie Blum - 003Stephanie Blum is a psychologist turned comedian. She started in New York City, moved to LA, had to deal with the heartbreaking deception that comes along with show business and so much more. She'll be headlining the first comedy show at the Grand Annex in San Pedro.
*Note: This episode was recorded before the WGA strike agreement was reached, just FYI during the AI portion.
2023-10-0347 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeCeleste Lecesne - 002Celeste Lecesne is an LGBTQ performer, filmmaker and activist. They helped find not one, but two non-profits for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project and The Future Perfect Project.
We talk the Edinburgh Fringe where I saw Celeste's show, Poof, Radical Faeries, the work of the Trevor Project and Future Perfect Project, and the overall state of affairs, like ya do!
2023-09-2646 min1000 w/ Ron PlaconeBeans On Toast - 001Beans On Toast is a singer/songwriter out of the UK. He is one of my favorite singer/songwriters working today. We talk fracking in Sherwood forest, UK/US politics, Jim Morrison, what it means to be happy, and of course, music.
Check out his tour dates at BeansOnToastMusic.com
2023-09-1947 min
1000 w/ Ron Placone1000 w/ Ron Placone: Trailer1000. A comedian goes on a quest to interview 1000 different people who have piqued his interest in some way.
2023-09-1202 min
Friends of Indie Left - An Interview PodcastRon Placone | @RonPlacone | Friends of Indie Left #Podcast #FOIL Ep 02 | @IndLeftNews | @GetIndieNews | #FriendsOfIndieLeftComedian/writer Ron Placone joins Indie for a one-on-one interview about Ron's work in lefty politics, standup comedy, being a creative artist in this day & age + more! Proud member of IndieNews.Network #GetINNClick above to download/listen or click below to watch the episode on our YouTube Channel (make sure to subscribe & turn on alerts!) below, keep scrolling though - many more links to follow, engage & learn!Friends of Indie Left* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indleftnews/videos/4825470770842990/* Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1YqKDqVdmQoGV* Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1275903219* Odysee...
2022-02-2644 min