So gross. So wrong. On so many levels.

CR 056: Mackenzie Astin: ‘In its finest form, this medium can really change people’s lives’ The actor on his many roles, from “The Facts of Life” to “The Pitt,” and the transformative power of the arts.

I had a wonderful, wide-ranging conversation with @mackenzieastin.bsky.social about his work on The Pitt, why he avoids social media, and his four seasons on The Facts of Life.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

CR 055: Eddie Yang on Movies, Monsters, and Heavy Metal Masks The entertainment industry veteran discusses his work on Hollywood’s biggest hits, his thoughts on AI, and his most memorable projects.

I recently chatted with Hollywood veteran Eddie Yang via Zoom about his incredible career, his work with legendary special effects artist Rick Baker, his designs for Static-X
and Blizzard, and much more. Check it out in Creative Reverberations!

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

They're building concentration camps with money they stole from medicare.

I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.

This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.

It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.

That Time Ani DiFranco Talked About Making a ‘Pseudo Hip-Hop Record’ Tidbits from the archive.

Today in Creative Reverberations, a 2021 interview with @anidifranco.bsky.social about her 1996 album, “The Past Didn’t
Go Anywhere,” which she referred to as “the crude folk singer version of a hip-hop production made with sticks and marbles and some string.”

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit in the Sky' Continues to Enchant Audiences Singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum talks to Next Avenue about his 1969 hit song and a new vinyl reissue. Read the interview here.

"Instant hit."

Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to
writer @sebejer.bsky.social & @nextavenue.bsky.social!

Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe

www.nextavenue.org/norman-green...

Thanks so much for sharing!! ❤️

Aidan Shaw Has Always Been The Absolute Worst “From the moment he first sidled onto our screens in season 3 of Sex and the City, with his lank hair, tighty-whities and truly questionable shirts, he gaslit, shamed and manipulated Carrie, and he’s ...

Yes. Yes to all of this. www.vogue.co.uk/article/aida...

Ralph Macchio on the Enduring Legacy of 'The Karate Kid' Ralph Macchio discusses the new film ‘Karate Kid: Legends,’ working with Jackie Chan and what he learned from Pat Morita

Last week I had a great call with Ralph Macchio about “Karate Kid: Legends." We discussed his return to cinema, his fondness for the franchise, working with Jackie Chan, and Pat Morita's lasting impact on the films.

www.nextavenue.org/ralph-macchi...

'I'm Still Singing It, So I'm Still Bringing It' John Driskell Hopkins — founding member of Zac Brown Band — discusses adapting to life with ALS

In honor of ALS Awareness Month, I had a wonderful chat last week with John Driskell Hopkins--founding member of the Zac Brown Band--about how he’s adapting to life with ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2021 at the age of 50.

www.nextavenue.org/zac-brown-ba...

South Carolina pulls our book I AM BILLIE JEAN KING. Billie Jean King is one of the great heroes of our time — and because of one parent, an entire community in South Carolina now can’t learn about her.

Art by @chriseliopoulos Life by @billiejeanking
.
#books #bookstagram #equality

CR 046: Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank on Balancing Life, Love, and Many Creative Projects The acting-writing-producing-directing duo discusses their latest film, “Brooklyn, Minnesota.”

Erik Jensen & Jessica Blank have done great work in theater, TV, and film, but nothing could have prepared them for Erik's Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2023. I recently spoke with them about their new film and how work helped them navigate recent challenges.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

What the majority of social media discussions look like.

CR 045: For Actor Andre Royo, the Joy is in the Performance “The Wire” actor discusses the ups and downs of playing Bubbles and how performing has helped him navigate his darkest days.

I chatted with actor Andre Royo about his early days as an actor, why he was reluctant to audition for the role of Bubbles in The Wire, and how art has helped him through his darkest days.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

CR 044: A.E. Osworth on Using Anger to Fuel Creativity The author discusses their profoundly unique anti-Harry Potter novel, “Awakened.”

Sometimes, anger can be a gift. Case in point: A.E. Osworth has used their anger to fuel their writing, resulting in two excellent books--2021's "We Are Watching Eliza Bright" and their latest, the brilliant trans witch/magic/AI novel, "Awakened."

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

CR 043: Julie Ann Crommett on the Transformative Power of Inclusive Storytelling The CEO, storyteller, educator, and podcast host discusses her efforts to bring a diversity of stories to the screen.

Check out my chat with the incredible Julie Ann Crommett. We discussed the (weirdly) hot button topic of D.E.I., why inclusive storytelling is so important, and how an animal attack reenactment series led to her current line of work.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

My First Byline: Sandra Ebejer Freelance writer

So honored to be asked to share a bit about my work experience in Your First Byline. Huge thanks to @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social for the opportunity!

open.substack.com/pub/yourfirs...

CR 042: Amelia Ireland on Grief, Loss, and Juicy Plot Twists The author discusses her debut novel, "The Seven O’Clock Club."

Such a great chat with a great author about a great book! Check out my interview with Amelia Ireland in Creative Reverberations!

#authorinterview #books

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

I’ve been traveling and unable to respond to your comment until now. Thanks so much for reading!! I recommend checking out Susan Seidelman’s memoir—it’s a really great read and an interesting look into being a female director in the 70s/80s.

A Letter From Stephen King (Sorta!) Plus, Amelia Ireland A Monday morning hello.

Remembering that time that I received a letter from Stephen King. (Sorta)

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

CR 041: Christina Perri on the Continuing Evolution of 'A Thousand Years' The singer-songwriter discusses her new children’s book based on the hit song.

The 2011 hit “A Thousand Years” may have been written as a love song for Twilight but, as Christina Perri shared with me, it has evolved to become so much more.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

Susan Seidelman on Madonna, Meryl, and Four Decades of Filmmaking Susan Seidelman, the “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Smithereens” director on her new memoir and 40 years of bringing complicated women to the screen

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the premiere of “Desperately Seeking Susan.” Last year I had a fantastic chat with its director, Susan Seidelman, about bringing complicated women to the screen and her incredible memoir, "Desperately Seeking Something."

www.nextavenue.org/susan-seidel...

less than ten trans women tried to play collegiate sports and now the car dealership class gets to crash the global economy and set up sweatshops in the midwest

Trump in a Handmaids Tale robe and bonnet with OFELON written above him.,

The best sign in the history of signs.

CR 040: Adem Tepedelen on Music, Memoirs, and Writing ‘A Fabulous Disaster’ The journalist and author discusses his latest memoir, co-written with thrash metal icon Gary Holt.

For my 40th (!!!) interview for Creative Reverberations, I chatted with journalist and author Adem Tepedelen about his latest book, "A Fabulous Disaster," co-written with thrash metal icon Gary Holt.

creativereverberations.substack.com/p/cr-040-ade...

CR 039: Allison Gunn on Her Terrifying Debut Novel, ‘Nowhere’ The author discusses her writing process, her Appalachian upbringing, and her love for all things creepy.

If Stephen King’s The Outsider and HBO’s Mare of Easttown had a baby, it would be Nowhere by @authorallisongunn.bsky.social. I recently spoke with Allison about the book, her love for folklore, and how she uses tarot cards to develop her novels.

creativereverberations.substack.com/p/cr-039-all...

Sharon Gless on the Lasting Impact of 'Cagney & Lacey' On the 40th anniversary of the series’ two-part breast cancer arc, the award-winning actress talks to Next Avenue about the show’s legacy

In 1985, "Cagney & Lacey" aired a groundbreaking two-part episode in which Tyne Daly's Mary Beth Lacey was diagnosed with #breastcancer. I recently spoke with Sharon Gless, who portrayed Christine Cagney, about the episodes and the show's continued legacy.

www.nextavenue.org/sharon-gless...

CR 038: Dana Schneider on Bringing Bling to the Big Screen The acclaimed jewelry designer discusses her extraordinary career, from “The Matrix Reloaded” to “The Hunger Games” and beyond.

What do Marilyn Manson, P!nk, and The Hunger Games have in common? Dana Schneider. Earlier this week I chatted with the acclaimed designer about her early days of making jewelry, her love for heavy metal, and her iconic Hunger Games mockingjay pin.

open.substack.com/pub/creative...

Wired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting. Others should follow As the administration does its best to hide public records from the public, Wired magazine is stepping up to help stem the secrecy

They're called public records for a reason. Starting today, WIRED will *stop paywalling* articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, becoming the first publication to partner with @freedom.press to offer this for our new coverage.