Billy Dees Podcast

(00:00:00) Five Reasons Why the Hollywood Box Office is Losing its Glamour (00:00:01) Welcome to Billy D's Podcast (00:01:28) The Changing Landscape of Hollywood (00:05:21) The Streaming Revolution and Its Impact (00:11:43) The Decline of Traditional Marketing (00:17:16) The Activism Problem in Hollywood (00:24:52) Rising Costs and Franchise Fatigue (00:28:36) The CGI Dilemma (00:37:48) Closing Remarks and Subscription Information (00:39:34) Podcast Subscription and Social Media Promotion In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy takes a deep dive into the long-term decline of the Hollywood box office. After welcoming new listeners and explaining the show’s mix of interviews and commentary, he focuses on why theatrical movie attendance has been shrinking for years—well before and after the pandemic.Billy outlines five major factors contributing to the downturn:The Rise of Streaming – Audiences have grown accustomed to watching new releases at home quickly and conveniently, diminishing the appeal of the big-screen experience.Declining Marketing Impact – Traditional advertising like TV commercials, radio spots, and trailers no longer reach audiences the way they once did, making it harder for studios to build excitement around new films.Actor Activism and Image Erosion – The once “larger-than-life” mystique of movie stars has faded as celebrities’ activism, endorsements, and overexposure blur the line between performers and everyday people.High Ticket and Concession Prices – Rising costs make a simple night at the movies a significant expense for families, especially when compared to inexpensive home entertainment.Franchise Fatigue and Weak Original Content – Reboots, sequels, repetitive superhero movies, and overreliance on CGI have left audiences underwhelmed and less willing to spend money on familiar formulas.Billy also reflects on how Hollywood’s creative priorities have shifted from passionate filmmaking to short-term commercial strategies, contributing to the fading luster of cinema. He closes by thanking listeners and reminding them that the podcast is always available without paywalls on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, we welcome Cynthia Elliott, an author, intuitive, and the creative force behind multiple transformational projects. Cynthia joins us to discuss her latest book, Memory Mansion, a deeply personal exploration of healing, identity, and the stories we carry.We also dive into the mission of The SoulTech Foundation, where Cynthia and her team are developing forward-thinking programs—including an AI Literacy Training Program with the ambitious goal of teaching and certifying 10,000 Americans to help them navigate the rapidly evolving digital world.Cynthia shares updates on several major initiatives, including her team’s upcoming TEDxMizner event on February 4th, the annual Her Health Summit focused on women’s wellness over 40, and the growing reach of SoulTech Magazine.In addition, Cynthia opens up about her powerful new documentary, Nirvana: A Psychic’s Journey to the Final Rebirth, where she reflects on her unconventional past and her path toward embracing her own story.Throughout the conversation, we also explore themes of intuition, psychic ability, and how tapping into one’s inner guidance can be both grounding and transformative.You can find Cynthia Elliott on X @shamanisis https://x.com/shamanisisBilly Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees

On this episode meet former music industry insider, radio DJ and now author WENDY B. CORREA. In her new book: “MY PRETTY BABY” - Correa writes about her own riveting journey with ACE (adverse childhood experience), including her time in celebrity circles, spiritual practices, and a lifetime of healing from childhood trauma. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and an urgent reminder that healing requires honesty, community, and hope.This episode was produced Thursday November 6, 2025You can find out more about Wendy B. Correa here https://www.wendybcorrea.com/ andfollow Wendy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendybcorrea/You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

In this episode, Billy Dees takes a rational look at one of the most persistent conspiracy theories — that the Apollo moon landings were a hoax.While this podcast won’t convince the true believers, it offers a clear, fact-based perspective for those who are weary of misinformation and want to understand the evidence with common sense.Billy explores how multiple nations — including the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Spain — independently tracked the Apollo missions in real time. He also highlights how modern space agencies from Japan, China, India, and Europe have since photographed and verified the Apollo landing sites.Finally, the episode takes a fascinating look at what the astronauts actually left behind on the lunar surface — and some of the items might surprise you.You can follow Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees

A professional sports franchise is more than just a team—it’s a brand. For decades, the Cleveland Browns embodied a legacy of grit and loyalty, earning a national following despite never reaching a Super Bowl. Their underdog spirit defined them, and fans held onto hope for that one fairytale season.But in recent years, that identity has faded. Controversial decisions, questionable trades, and a disconnect between leadership and the fanbase have left the once-proud franchise struggling with its image.In this episode, Billy Dees explores how the Browns’ brand unraveled—examining what went wrong inside the organization, how fans’ perceptions shifted, and what this story says about the delicate balance between loyalty, leadership, and legacy in professional sports.Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Episode Description: In this episode, Billy Dees takes a deep dive into three major stories making headlines — the fragile peace agreement in Gaza, Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial claim that Antifa “does not exist,” and the latest developments in the Letitia James case.A consistent theme in Billy’s commentary is the importance of evaluating issues based on facts rather than personalities or partisanship. He challenges listeners to think critically, not emotionally. Billy also takes a moment to respond to some of his critics from a previous episode, addressing their feedback with his trademark clarity and reasoned approach.Tune in for thoughtful analysis and honest discussion on today’s most polarizing topics.

In this episode, we welcome Josh Lewis, a CPA from Tulsa and former candidate for City Auditor. With more than a decade of experience auditing governments, Josh brings a practical, grounded perspective to politics and public life.A graduate of College of the Ozarks—famously known as “Hard Work U”—Josh majored in accounting with a minor in Speech Communications, serving as president of the College Republicans. Inspired by thinkers like Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley, and Thomas Sowell, he is deeply committed to exploring how conservatism can not only survive but thrive in the 21st century.Josh shares how the conservative worldview offers solutions to challenges facing Millennials and the nation as a whole—revitalizing diverse subcultures, restoring civil society and institutions that give life meaning, and balancing liberty with order in both the individual and the community.Together, we dive into classical conservatism, the radicalization of both political parties, and what it might take to move forward as a nation.You can find out more about Josh Lewis on his website https://www.savingelephantsblog.com/Josh Lewis on X https://x.com/svngelephantsBilly Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

In this episode, Billy Dees offers his unfiltered commentary on the unfolding Jimmy Kimmel controversy. Billy digs into the multiple layers of the debate—broadcast standards, FCC regulations, and the often-misunderstood boundaries of free speech.The episode also takes a serious look at the disturbing online reactions surrounding the Charlie Kirk tragedy, where celebration overshadowed compassion.Billy ties it all together with a critical point: when people choose sides based solely on personalities rather than principles, society risks setting dangerous precedents.Tune in for a thoughtful and balanced perspective on issues that cut to the core of media, speech, and public discourse.You can find Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Recorded live on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST, hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott dive into the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s dismissal from ABC. From there, the conversation expands into a deeper examination of free speech—both on the broadcast airwaves and in the broader public forum.The airwaves are public property, leased by the government to private broadcasters under the expectation that they serve the common good. But what happens when programming delivers heavily slanted political commentary or outright misinformation? Is that really in service of the public?This thought-provoking discussion explores multiple dimensions of free expression, responsibility, and the balance between profit and the public interest.Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDeesCynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis

Our guest on this episode is Terry Whalin—a true insider in the publishing world who knows both sides of the editorial desk. As an editor and writer, Terry has worn many hats, shaping stories and guiding authors to success. His work has appeared in more than 50 publications, and he’s penned over 60 books spanning everything from children’s titles to biographies and collaborations.Terry’s career includes time as a magazine editor, a book acquisitions editor for multiple publishers, and even a stint as a literary agent. Today, he serves as an acquisitions editor with Morgan James Publishing, continuing to champion great ideas and authors.Over 20 years ago, Terry made headlines when he wrote a diet book, First Place by Carole Lewis, in just eleven days—selling more than 100,000 copies. His latest release, 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed (Morgan James Publishing), offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the publishing world.A sought-after speaker and teacher at writers’ conferences across the country, Terry is also an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. He and his wife, Christine, make their home in Southern California. https://terrywhalin.blogspot.com/You can follow Terry on X https://x.com/terrywhalinYou can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

The nation is reeling after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University. His passing has sent shockwaves far beyond political lines, drawing an outpouring of grief and condemnation from leaders across the aisle. President Donald Trump called him “loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” and ordered flags to fly at half-staff in his honor.In this heartfelt episode, hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott discuss the profound impact of this loss. Together, they reflect on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, the intensity of today’s political climate, and what moments like this mean for the future of public discourse in America.

Our guest this episode is Kay A. Oliver — a dynamic storyteller with decades of experience in Hollywood as a producer, writer, and director. With degrees in Radio/TV/Film and an MBA in Business, Kay built a successful career in entertainment before taking the leap into writing novels.She’s known for creating strong, imperfect, and relatable women — often professionals like archaeologists and anthropologists — who face life’s challenges with humor and resilience. Her debut novel Disturbed Tombs kicked off the Dr. Kaili Worthy series, followed by Grave Disturbances and the upcoming Disturbing Remains. She’s also the author of Road to Elysium and the heartfelt Ice Cream Moments, which explores family dynamics in a deeply human way.Recognized in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2024, Kay is passionate about telling stories that matter — stories that entertain, inspire, and highlight women’s voices in ways Hollywood too often overlooks.Kay A. Oliver Website https://kayaoliver.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorkayaoliver

Our guest this episode is Dan Schaefer—a progressive political leader, engineer, and former candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives (District 97). His grassroots campaign focused on restoring reproductive rights, defending public education, and protecting the voice of working people.Looking ahead to 2026, Dan plans to run again—either for State House District 97 or State Senate District 22. Known as a bold advocate for democratic principles, he has consistently spoken out against authoritarian overreach in state politics and efforts to undermine voter-driven initiatives.Dan brings a rare blend of practical wisdom, policy expertise, and unwavering commitment to people over power. Whether he’s discussing union rights, economic justice, or civil liberties, he speaks with clarity, conviction, and compassion.He is also the creator of Frontline Progressive, a newsletter spotlighting threats to democracy and uplifting grassroots action. With over 200 interviews from his past podcasting work, Dan continues to bring substance, energy, and insight to every conversation.This interview was recorded on August 27, 2025.You can find more about Dan on his website https://www.dan4mo.com/Dan’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dan4mo  You can find Billy Dees links here https://linktr.ee/BillyDees

This conversation explores emerging technologies that blur the line between human experience and artificial intelligence. On one hand, there’s excitement about innovations like Google’s emotional AI, smart skin, and AR memory glasses, which could transform healthcare, education, therapy, and even human connection. Similarly, advances such as Samsung’s dream monitoring and Meta’s mind-reading interface hold promise for diagnosing mental health conditions, restoring communication for the paralyzed, and deepening our understanding of the brain. Tools like Microsoft’s holographic teleportation and training robots such as Kaiwa’s pregnancy simulator also highlight the potential of technology to expand learning and accessibility.  At the same time, the discussion raises deep ethical and societal concerns. Emotional AI and smart skin introduce risks of manipulation, surveillance, and commodification of intimacy. Technologies like AR glasses and dream monitoring threaten privacy at its most personal levels, while mind-reading interfaces raise questions about cognitive freedom. Even seemingly helpful innovations like pregnancy robots risk desensitization or erasing lived experiences.Finally, the rise of sexualized robots and generative AI poses challenges around consent, objectification, addiction, and bias. Altogether, the conversation weighes the incredible opportunities of these tools against their potential to exploit, manipulate, or undermine core aspects of human dignity and trust. This program was produced live Saturday August 23, 2025, at 8:00pm EST.You can find Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisisSoul Tech Foundation https://soultechfoundation.org/ai-literacy-trainingBilly Dees Online https://linktr.ee/BillyDees

Alan Katz has lived the wild ride of Hollywood—writing and producing films and shows like HBO’s legendary Tales From The Crypt. His career has taken him to the highest highs and darkest lows of showbiz, and he’s ready to spill every twisted story along the way.Entertainment Weekly named the debut season of his How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast the “Best Film Podcast of 2022.” That’s when Alan realized he’d finally become what he always wanted to be when he grew up: a podcaster.You can find Alan's podcast here: https://thedonorpodcast.com/

When reality wasn’t enough, J.F. Monroe built her own universe. In her Legacy of the Four trilogy, ancient powers walk among us, destinies shift, and courage rewrites fate.Drawing inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and even Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending plots, Monroe blends epic adventure with deeply personal journeys.At the core of her stories is one truth: the greatest magic comes from human connection. Website https://www.jfmonroebookshelf.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jf.monroe/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jf.monroe?_t=ZP-8sbcQQzxU5u&_r=1You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Zafra Lerman has spent her life proving that science—infused with compassion and creativity—can bridge even the deepest divides. From her childhood in Israel to advising U.S. leaders at the White House, and from classrooms to conflict zones, she has brought together scientists from opposing nations, pioneered teaching chemistry through the arts, and championed science education as a basic human right. In her memoir, Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, she shares the setbacks, triumphs, and inspiring moments that shaped her belief in science as a tool for peacebuilding—and offers lessons in courage, hope, and collaboration that the world urgently needs.Zafra M. Lerman, Ph.D., FRSCPresident, Malta Conferences FoundationDistinguished Professor of Science and Public Policy (Emerita)Columbia College Chicago  Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey https://www.amazon.com/dp/9815129724?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&bestFormat=true&csmig=1MaltaConferencesFoundation.org https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/Zafra Lerman Website https://zafralerman.com/

Buckle up, because this episode goes completely off the rails—in the best way possible.First up, we dive into the media’s favorite pastime: wildly speculating about suspects while the situation is still unfolding. (What could possibly go wrong?)Then, things get tight—literally—as we unpack the bizarre internet uproar over Sydney Sweeney’s jeans. Are they just denim, or a coded message from the fashion-industrial complex? We explore the wild theories, questionable genetics talk, and somehow end up in a conversation no one saw coming.Finally, we wrap things up with a look at NPR’s identity crisis and Tulsi Gabbard’s dramatic unveiling of “Operation Mockingbird.” Spoiler: it’s not a new Netflix thriller—yet. It’s smart, it’s snarky, and it might just be plain weird.You can Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDeesAnd Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis

🎙️ AI, Epstein, Colbert... and Hunter Biden?! LIVE with Billy DeesHold onto your neural networks—this episode is a wild ride. Billy Dees goes live to break down the latest chatter about artificial intelligence and whether the robots are planning our downfall or just trying to take our jobs one spreadsheet at a time.We also check back in on the Epstein saga, because apparently that story never takes a vacation. And yes, the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—was it politics, ratings, or just bad punchlines?Oh, and Hunter Biden’s back in the headlines with quotes that make you wonder if satire is even possible anymore.📅 Broadcasted LIVE: Friday, July 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM EST📱 Follow Billy on X: @BillyDees — because even AI knows he's worth the follow. https://x.com/BillyDees 

Hot Takes and Heated Topics!In this lively episode, we dive into some of the most buzz-worthy stories in the media world. First up: a mysterious birthday letter allegedly from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaces—just in time to stir up controversy. Is it coincidence, or calculated distraction?Next, we react to the surprise cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. What happened to the golden age of late-night laughs? We explore how these shows have shifted from light-hearted comedy to full-on political theater.And finally, we take a hard look at NPR—once a trusted voice for public service journalism, now seen by many as another outlet for partisan commentary. What changed?Don't miss this fast-paced episode packed with insight, humor, and sharp commentary.Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees