My Fame, Explained

Listen: Apple Podcasts — Spotify — Everywhere Else Christine Lakin began her acting career at a young age growing up in Atlanta, GA. She is best known for her role as Alicia "Al" Lambert on the 1990s ABC sitcom 'Step by Step.' Beyond acting, directing and producing, she performs voice-over work including the voice of Joyce Kinney on FOX's 'Family Guy.' Follow Christine Lakin on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook and Instagram.

Known as the largest candy and soda shop franchise in America, Robert Powells, along with his business partner Ryan Morgan, founded The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops. Though Powells has since sold his interests in the brand, there'w now over 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada. In 2015, he was featured on an episode of CBS's Undercover Boss. He has written a book titled, The Story of Rocket Fizz, America's Largest Soda Pop and Candy Shop Franchising Company. Follow Rocket Fizz on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Maja Kuczyńska, 22, was introduced to skydiving by her father when she was 10 years-old during a tandem jump with him. Five years later should would go on to become the junior champion in freestyle at the FAI competition in Prague. Participating in both outdoor and indoor tunnel skydiving as a Red Bull athlete, she has amazed a following of over a million on TikTok and 400k on Instagram posting her jump videos. She has lived in many cities around the world including Munich, Paris and Prague. She currently lives in Wroclaw and trains alternately in Wroclaw and Warsaw, Poland where she is originally from. Follow Maja Kuczynska on TikTok and Instagram. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Jon Gabrus is an actor and comedian, best known for his work on MTV's Guy Code. He's had roles in TV Land's 'Younger,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' and 'Bones.' His podcast credits include, 'High & Mighty Podcast,' 'Raised By TV' and 'Action Boyz.' His latest show, '101 Places to Party Before You Die' comes to truTV on July 14, 2022. Follow Jon Gabrus on Instagram and Twitter. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Chris Ume is a video visual effects specialist from Belgium with experience in social media, entertainment and business. He is probably best known as the creator of the parody deepfake Tom Cruise account on TikTok. The account went viral when it launched in 2021 and has amassed nearly 3.5 million followers as of early 2022. Beyond the social media account, Chris is the co-founder of Metaphysic.ai and Every Anyone.  Follow Chris Ume on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about his on his websites Metaphysic.ai and Every Anyone. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fresh off the set of Ansley Gordon's latest film, "Love on the Reef," in which she wrote and stars is as Dr. Isla Waters, she took time to join us for this episode. In February 2022, Ansley wrapped the starring role in another TV RomCom "Lean Into Love," which is set for a Spring 2023 release. In December 2021, she filmed another title she penned, "A Single's Guidebook to Love" which is set to come out this fall. Along with her work in romantic TV movies, she has worked on a number of network comedies including FX’s "Better Things," "Crazy Ex-girlfriend" on The CW, and Starz’s "Survivor's Remorse."   As a writer, her work spans multiple genres and in her short screenwriting career, she’s sold nearly a dozen screenplays and currently has several others in development with both studios and production companies. She resides with her husband and two cats in Los Angeles. Follow Ansley Gordon on Instagram. Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Imogen Crimp studied English at Cambridge, followed by an MA in contemporary literature from University College London, where she specialized in female modernist writers. After university, she briefly studied singing at a London conservatory. She lives in London. Her debut novel, 'A Very Nice Girl' was released in early 2022. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Chris Morris is only the second Master Distiller at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. He had an important role in the development of the Woodford Reserve launch in 1996. The whiskey is one of the world’s fastest growing bourbons. He's the mastermind behind Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Rye, and Master’s Collection. Chris began his career in the spirits industry in 1976 as a trainee in Brown-Forman’s central lab. In 1997, he found himself as an understudy to Lincoln Henderson, Woodford Reserve’s Inaugural Master Distiller, who in 2003 Chris succeeded. In the years that followed, Chris was responsible for creating the world’s first bourbon finished in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Barrels. He’s also credited with developing the world’s first maple barrel; a difficult feat made easier when you command your own cooperage. Woodford Reserve is the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. Follow Woodford Reserve on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Buy Woodford Reserve online here. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Natalie Rose is a professional Tiktok content creator, who became a viral sensation after posting a dance video in a hospital where someone commented on the clip, ”remember when you are a nurse you are supposed to be taking care of people instead of making a Tiktok,” and she replied to the person saying she is not a nurse.  Her actual job has never been revealed, which led her followers to attempt to guess her profession as she crisscrosses the country dressing up and acting the part in the many roles that come from those comments.  Her follower count on TikTok has exceeded 2.6 million as of the beginning of 2022.   Follow Natalie Rose on TikTok and Instagram. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Frank Musker is one of the most internationally successful and established British songwriter/lyricists in music.  His musical versatility has allowed him to collaborate with some of the world’s most important artists which include:  Queen, Air Supply, Gypsy Kings, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Carly Simon, John Denver, Roger Daltry, and more. Some of the songs he is credited with writing includes Queen's "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and Air Supply's "Every Woman in the World." In 1989, Frank, along with other four other singer, songwriters and musicians formed the band World Goes Round, who got to record an album that never saw the light of day, until now, the album is available on all digital formats, and on vinyl, via Viper Records.  Their single from the album, “Put It On The Line,” is dedicated to all of the devoted service people around the world during the current Covid-19 climate. Follow World Goes Round on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the album on Spotify.

Martin (Marty) Cooper, born in 1928, is a pioneer in the wireless industry, an inventor, entrepreneur, executive, and author. His essays and articles have been widely published. He is the author of Cutting the Chord. He believed the cellular phone should be a "an extension of its owner; that a telephone number represented that owner, not a place, not a desk, not a home, but a person." Cooper conceived of the portable cellular phone and led the team at Motorola that created the first phone in 1973. He made the first public cell phone call on April 3,1973. He contributed to the technology of the wireless communications industry for over 60 years and contributed to every significant advancement in wireless communications, during this time. Cooper lives with his wife, Arlene, in Del Mar, California. He has 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. He’s passionate about staying mobile and healthy, continuing to learn every day, and promotes the effective use of the radio spectrum to serve the positive needs of all humanity. Follow Marty Cooper on his website at DYNAllc.com Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dr. Helen Fisher, Biological Anthropologist, is Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and Chief Science Advisor to Match.com. She uses brain scanning (fMRI) to study the neural systems associated with the sex drive, romantic love, attachment, rejection, love addiction and long-term partnership happiness. She has written six books on lust, romance and attachment now sold in 25 countries— among them: Why We Love; Why Him, Why Her?; and Anatomy of Love (2nd Ed). She also studies courtship trends in the digital age, using a representative sample of 50,000 single Americans to examine hooking up, friends with benefits, video chatting and why today’s dating patterns may lead to decades of relative family stability—due to a trend she calls “slow love.” Using data collected from her biologically-based questionnaire, the Fisher Temperament Inventory, now taken by 15+ million people in 40 countries, she is also studying the biological basis of personality and is a pioneer in examining the neurochemistry of team-building, innovation and leadership to explain how people of different biological styles of thinking are predisposed to work, buy, innovate and lead. Fisher appears regularly on national and international TV, radio, print and podcasts. She is a TED All-Star with over 12 million views of her TED talks; a recipient of the American Anthropological Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her work at presenting anthropological data to the public; and was chosen in 2015 by Business Insider as one of “The Fifteen Most Amazing Women in Science.” Follow Dr. Helen Fisher on her website at HelenFisher.com Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Veteran Disney animator Tom Bancroft (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Mulan, ” “Mary Poppins Returns”) and founder of Pencilish Animation Studios, the world’s first, brand new crowd-owned animation studio - where fans become the owners -- created by a team of legendary alumni from Disney, Nickelodeon and DreamWorks. Bancroft, having animated on a number of top box office hits, has created characters in some of the most popular and profitable animated features of all time. Follow Tom Bancroft on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Jarom Sidwell is a Hollywood visual effects veteran known for his work on blockbuster films such as The Avengers, Avatar, The Hobbit, The Adventures of TinTin, Man of Steel and Transformers, among others. The highlight of his career though was being an especially ugly Gundabad Orc in The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. Jarom created Immersive History, a software company focused on bringing the past to life through immersive storytelling and gaming using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mobile Apps. Immersive not only focuses on wholesome games for families but has also created immersive, education-focused training simulations for Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, and Walmart. Jarom helped create the VR game “DvG: Conquering Giants” - a reimagined immersive experience based on one of history’s greatest duels (David vs Goliath). Armed with a unique, powerful sling, gamers will fend off ravenous wolves, ferocious lions, and a massive bear before battling the giant himself (Goliath). Follow DvG - Conquering Giants the game on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

After earning his Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels in Belgium, an honor only a handful of brewers have achieved, Keith Villa came back stateside with the idea of crafting beers inspired by Belgian styles, but with a twist. His first interpretation turned out to be one of Coors Brewing Company's most popular beers, Blue Moon Belgian White and in 1995, the Blue Moon Brewing Company was created. In 2018, Keith retired from MillerCoors to launch CERIA Brewing Company, dedicated to brewing the finest non-alcoholic beers, including a product line infused with cannabis. Follow CERIA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Purchase CERIA beer online at Amazon here. Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Phil Rosenthal is the creator and executive producer of the hit CBS comedy, “Everybody Loves Raymond. Phil's hit Netflix award winning food and travel show, “Somebody Feed Phil” is Netflix’s 5th most watched unscripted series. The show was also just named TV Guide’s “Top 25 Best TV Shows of 2020. "Somebody Feed Phil” has garnered two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. The show also won a 2020 Critics Choice Real TV Award for Best Travel/Adventure Series. You can order Phil's book (as mentioned in the podcast): "You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom" from Amazon here. Follow Phil on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Gabbie Hanna is the Billboard-charting musical artist and New York Times best-selling author & illustrator of “Adultolescence.” Starting as a web based creator, she amassed over 20 million followers across her social media platforms as she focused on growing as an author and artist. A native of a small town in Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh graduate, Gabbie shocked her loved ones when she drove cross-country to pursue her dreams in Los Angeles where she currently resides. She has since crossed over 250 million music streams and 1 billion views on her YouTube channel. Her latest EP “Bad Karma” released in 2020, and Gabbie launches her second book into the world, “Dandelion,” available at both Target and Barnes & Noble and online at Amazon. Follow Gabbie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.  Follow the My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

With 11 Guiness World Records and a list of never before seen death defying feats, Nik Wallenda has written his name in history as truly the “King of the High Wire”.  Nik has performed live in every state in the USA and all over the world.  He has garnered the support from tens of millions of live viewers in network television specials on ABC, The Discovery Channel and others.  From crossing the Grand Canyon and Niagra Falls to walking blindfolded between two towers in Chicago, Nik personifies the Wallenda Family legacy of “Never Giving Up” and has time and time again proven that “Fear is a Liar”. Buy his new book that came out September 15, "Facing Fear: Step out in faith and rise above what's holding you back" Go to MyFameExplained.com for more episodes. Check out more on Nik Wallenda by visiting his website at NikWallenda.com Facebook Twitter Instagram Follow and like My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell met in Sydney, Australia on May 12, 1975 while performing in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. After the evening performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, they would play in Coffee Bars, Pizza Parlors, and anywhere they could to hone their vocal skills and harmonies. “Lost in Love” was released in Australia in 1978 and again soared to the top of the charts. It found its way to Clive Davis, founder, and president of Arista Records, who immediately offered Air Supply a record deal. The song was released in 1980 and became the fastest-selling in the world, topping the charts in a multitude of countries. “All Out of Love” was the second single released and topped the worldwide charts once again. Seven consecutive Top-Five singles at that time equaled The Beatles’ run. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now and Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies. “Lost in Love” was named song of the year in 1980 and along with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies. The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple but majestic compositions created a unique sound that would be forever known as Air Supply. On May 12th, 2020, the band celebrated 45 years... the rest is music history. Go to MyFameExplained.com for more episodes. Check out more on the band by visiting AirSupplyMusic.com Facebook Twitter Instagram Spotify Apple Music Follow and like My Fame Explained podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Adrienne Bankert is a correspondent for ABC News, Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and Nightline. She reported live from Chiang Rai, Thailand, during the rescue of thirteen boys and their soccer coach as the world watched the historic rescue. She traveled to London to cover the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and was the first network journalist to report live from the scene when several police officers were massacred in Dallas, Texas in 2016. Her compelling interviews from guests that range from wounded warriors to celebrities including Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and more have gained widespread attention. She has worked in local news in Sacramento, Dallas-Fort Worth, and in Los Angeles as a host, anchor, health and wellness, and general assignment reporter. In her debut book, “Your Hidden Superpower,” Adrienne shares her professional and personal insight about how the simple act of kindness can have a profound impact and create positive change. Buy the book: “Your Hidden Superpower" Follow Adrienne Bankert on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.