Advertise on podcast: Story and Craft with Marc Preston

Actor Missi Pyle from “Dodgeball” and Prime Video’s “Sterling Point” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her career and personal stories. She talks about filming “50 First Dates” with Adam Sandler and shares her take on Apple TV’s “Pluribus” and “Widow’s Bay.” Her time on “Stick” comes up too, where she plays a love interest for Timothy Olyphant’s character in a season that also features Owen Wilson and Rhea Seehorn. Missi also looks back on theater at Germantown High School in Tennessee, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the “Dodgeball” character whose costume fans now buy on Amazon. Her friend Megan Park, who once played her daughter on a show, created “Sterling Point,” and Missi shares what is coming when season two films next June. Other stories include choosing a Jenny McCarthy series over testing for Chuck Lorre’s “Two and a Half Men” and playing a cult leader on “Y: The Last Man.” She also tells the story of her marriage to a man with a bear sanctuary in Montana and why she is now thinking about becoming an EMT. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Missi Pyle joins Story & Craft 02:35 From Texas to Tennessee, a Montana bear sanctuary, then L.A. 08:08 Filming “50 First Dates” at a Rainforest Cafe and Adam Sandler 10:05 Growing up watching TV and wanting to be in the show 17:54 The Germantown High School theater teacher who changed her path 24:09 The “Dodgeball” character fans dress up as for Halloween 31:26 Life is just lifey and the Shoney’s comment that drove her 35:07 Megan Park and what is next for “Sterling Point” 36:44 Tim Curry’s advice and the “Two and a Half Men” near miss 39:21 Watching “Widow’s Bay” and movie nights with her daughter 41:57 Filming “Home Alone 4” with French Stewart in Cape Town 44:15 Playing a warden, joining “Stick,” and raving about “Pluribus” 47:09 Playing a cult leader on “Y: The Last Man” 50:10 The Seven Questions 58:29 Where to watch Missi Pyle now in “Sterling Point” and “Stick” STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Necar Zadegan from “The Rookie” and CBS’s “CIA” joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her career and personal stories. She talks about the Taylor Sheridan phone call that shaped her “Mayor of Kingstown” role, working with Nathan Fillion on “The Rookie,” and her Broadway debut alongside Robin Williams. Necar also shares how her Iranian family moved back to the United States from Germany after the 1979 revolution, and how she made her professional debut at 16 at the Edinburgh Fringe. Landing her first series regular role, the First Lady on “24,” came while she was performing “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” every night, before she ignored advice to skip Broadway. A guest spot on “Law & Order” in New York led to CBS’s “CIA,” and she explains why a show about hiding in plain sight appealed to her. She describes shooting “NCIS: New Orleans” during COVID, wrapping the final season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” and her character’s high school history with Jeremy Renner’s character. Necar also previews the Chris Rock-directed film “Misty Green” and Amazon’s “Joseph of Egypt,” before sharing why her go-to pizza order is a margherita with a side of anchovies. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Necar Zadegan joins Story & Craft 07:35 Born in Germany, raised in California after Iran’s 1979 revolution 12:52 Landing the First Lady on “24” opposite Anil Kapoor and Cherry Jones 17:12 Flying to Hawaii for her one-episode role on “Lost” 18:18 Her professional debut at 16 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 19:46 Broadway with Robin Williams in “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” 22:55 The press day when Robin Williams turned it on 25:18 Shooting “24” by day and ignoring advice to skip Broadway 30:48 Working with Nathan Fillion on “The Rookie” 31:58 Shooting “NCIS: New Orleans” during COVID 34:20 How “Law & Order” led to CBS’s “CIA” 36:13 Working with Taylor Sheridan on “Mayor of Kingstown” 38:03 The call that unlocked her backstory with Jeremy Renner’s character 43:20 The Seven Questions 57:47 What’s next: “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Misty Green,” “Joseph of Egypt” STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Katee Sackhoff from "Battlestar Galactica" and Prime Video’s "Carrie" joins us on Story & Craft. Katee talks about growing up in Portland as a competitive swimmer, how she landed her first acting job, and what it was like to move to LA at 18. We get into her time on "Battlestar Galactica", why she's only now watching it, and how she went from voicing Bo-Katan in animation to "The Mandalorian". She also discusses her new series "Carrie", her podcasts, and raising two kids back in Portland. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Katee Sackhoff joins Story & Craft 03:33 | Building a dream home in Los Angeles, then deciding it was time to leave for Portland 12:20 | The newspaper ad for a body double that changed everything 15:36 | Teaching herself to cry on camera in front of a mirror 20:42 | Reading the Starbuck script and knowing it could change how people saw her 23:08 | Cutting her hair and walking away from bigger offers to fight for one role 26:31 | Watching "Battlestar Galactica" for the first time, 25 years later, with her husband 29:33 | Walking out of an acting class and never going back 35:36 | How a "Robot Chicken" recommendation led to Bo-Katan 38:46 | Bringing the dad who showed her sci-fi as a kid onto a "Star Wars" set 46:31 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tyler Mane, Sabretooth in "X-Men" and Michael Myers in "Halloween," and Renae Geerlings join us on Story & Craft to talk about "Mane AF." Tyler spent over a decade as a professional wrestler, training with the Hart family in Calgary and wrestling all over the world, before a stunt casting call meant for someone else turned into the role of Sabretooth and a full pivot into acting — a path that later led to playing Michael Myers in the "Halloween" reboot. Renae came up on the other side of the business, landing a temp job answering phones for a comics company in Los Angeles and working her way up to a ten-year run as an editor. Eventually the two combined those worlds under their own production banner, building out the graphic novel "The Last Spartan" together, a project Tyler had actually been carrying around for fifteen years before Renae came on to help shape it. The conversation turns candid when they get into the year they've just had. In March, Tyler's brother died suddenly of a heart attack. Weeks later, Tyler found a lump during a workout and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma — male breast cancer. Not long after that, Renae's father died in a car accident. Tyler talks openly about finishing chemo, heading into radiation, and a second scare from a blood clot along the way, and he's direct about why he's chosen to talk about all of it publicly: he wants other men to get checked rather than dismiss what they're feeling, the way he almost did. That's also the thinking behind "Mane AF," the podcast they just launched about midlife, marriage, and — as Tyler puts it — the mayhem he brings to it. Along the way, we get into how two people who are both used to being in charge divide the creative work in one house, why Renae calls herself the steering wheel and brakes to Tyler's engine, and the usual mix of rescue dogs, comfort food, and childhood celebrity crushes that round out the hour. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Tyler Mane and Renae Geerlings join Story & Craft 00:03:37 | Renae compares keeping up with Tyler to being a water skier who lost her skis five miles back 00:07:03 | Tyler lays out the year in one breath: his brother's sudden death, his own cancer diagnosis, and Renae's father's fatal accident 00:14:01 | Tyler was one of the last people to wrestle Andre the Giant, months before Andre passed away 00:15:04 | The stunt casting call that was meant for someone else, and how it became Tyler's ticket to the role of Sabretooth 00:25:53 | Renae's rule for not being interrupted while she works, and the loophole Tyler found almost immediately 00:31:00 | The chest lump Tyler almost brushed off, and the conversation that changed his mind 00:35:58 | What Tyler's tumor oncotype score meant for his treatment, and losing (then slowly regrowing) his beard 00:47:39 | Tyler's core advice for other men, shaped by not knowing his own brother was struggling 00:48:47 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor and director Adam Arkin from "Sons of Anarchy" and MGM+’s "American Hostage" joins us on Story & Craft. Adam opens up about his seamless transition from acting to becoming one of television’s most sought-after directors. He shares behind-the-scenes stories of shifting gears between massive modern projects like "The Night Agent," "The Offer," and his newest true-crime thriller, "American Hostage." We explore the awkward challenge of directing himself in scenes, the immediate relief of admitting to a crew when a shot just isn't working, and the secret to building absolute trust on set by letting actors do their work. We also dive into his personal side, discussing the influence of his legendary father Alan Arkin and how he taught Adam to master multiple performance styles. From an early celebrity crush on Ursula Andress, to his deep appreciation for a perfectly simple summer tomato sandwich, it's a great look at the man behind the camera. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Adam Arkin joins Story & Craft 00:02:43 | Why releasing a new project brings out a mix of anxiety and excitement 00:05:08 | Capturing the true 1970s reality without talking down to a modern audience 00:07:49 | How his father Alan Arkin taught him to be conversant in many performance styles 00:10:09 | Helping an actor embrace the intimidating legend of playing Marlon Brando 00:13:30 | The awkward challenge of acting in a project you are also actively directing 00:15:34 | Why immersing yourself in the story is more important than having a recognizable visual style 00:18:21 | Finding immediate relief in admitting to the cast when a scene just isn't working 00:20:02 | Recognizing the exact moment on set when you capture pure on-screen magic 00:22:51 | Earning absolute trust by letting the actors do their work without interference 00:23:46 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Journalist and author Sara Kehaulani Goo, formerly of The Washington Post, joins us on Story & Craft to talk about her book "Kuleana." Sara shares how her early days in a print newsroom sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling, eventually leading her to cover major national events like the aftermath of 9/11. We chat about her approach to learning the ropes, intentionally moving to unfamiliar cities to broaden her perspective, and the thick skin required to maintain integrity in a fast-paced media landscape. Sara also opens up about the massive digital shift facing the news industry and the ways legacy media is now partnering with independent online creators to reach modern audiences. Beyond the news desk, Sara talks about the inspiration behind her memoir, "Kuleana," which looks at her Hawaiian heritage and her family's fight to hold on to their ancestral land. We discuss the complex realities of life in Hawaii today, the impact of outside real estate investments on the local culture, and, naturally, our shared appreciation for a perfectly made plate of Spam musubi. It is a grounded, eye-opening conversation about history, responsibility, and the importance of knowing where you come from. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Sara Kehaulani Goo joins Story & Craft 00:14:00 | The thrill of stepping into a newsroom and the daily pressure to deliver 00:16:37 | Why immersing yourself in unfamiliar cities is the ultimate training ground for storytellers 00:20:19 | How covering the aftermath of 9/11 shaped her understanding of a changing nation 00:22:42 | Recognizing the impending digital disruption of the news industry 00:25:25 | The challenge of funding trusted journalism in a digitally fractured world 00:30:00 | Why traditional legacy media must partner with independent online creators 00:35:32 | The rising trend of journalists cutting out the middleman to build direct audiences 00:40:45 | The thick skin and unwavering principles required to be a reporter today 00:46:45 | The cultural and economic toll of treating Hawaiian real estate strictly as an investment 00:53:00 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stunt performer and actor Rosslyn Luke from “Paper Tiger,” with Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, joins us on Story & Craft. Before sharing scenes with Adam Driver and Miles Teller, Rosslyn took a decidedly non-traditional path into the industry. We talk about her upbringing in Eastern Washington—near the Hanford nuclear site—and why she initially earned a degree in civil and environmental engineering before committing to acting. Her background in competitive cheerleading eventually opened an unexpected door into stunt performance, leading to early gigs that included handling a shotgun on a moving semi-truck. Rosslyn breaks down how that physical discipline prepared her for director James Gray’s period mob film, “Paper Tiger”, where she had to navigate high-stakes, unscripted 1980s dialogue opposite seasoned performers. Wrapping up, we get into why she gravitates toward intense, dark dramas over comedy, what goes into her ideal day, and the advice she would offer her younger self about trusting her own voice earlier. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Rosslyn Luke joins Story & Craft 00:02:37 | Watching Seattle shift from grunge culture to a tech-dominated city 00:05:18 | What it's like growing up with a father who cleaned up nuclear waste sites 00:08:18 | Walking away from a stable career in engineering to pursue the arts 00:11:11 | The hidden physical danger and severe injuries behind competitive cheerleading 00:15:29 | Wielding a shotgun on the back of a moving flatbed truck for a zombie show 00:17:38 | Why she decided to train as a stunt performer instead of using a double 00:21:55 | Growing up in an Eastern Washington town where locals joke they “glow in the dark” 00:24:31 | Why she's drawn to gritty, dark dramas while living with a comedy writer 00:36:18 | The high-wire act of improvising 1980s mob dialogue with Adam Driver and Miles Teller 00:37:45 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Tracy Spiridakos from “Chicago P.D.” and USA Network’s “Anna Pigeon” joins us on Story & Craft. Tracy talks about growing up between Canada and Greece, sharing what it was like working at her family’s Greek restaurant and the connection she still has with her parents' homeland. She also explains what it took to get her start in acting, like balancing three jobs in Vancouver before heading to Los Angeles for her first major round of auditions. We also discuss her decision to leave a successful seven-year run on a popular TV show to try something new. Tracy explains what it is like playing a sarcastic new character and the realities of filming outdoors on location. It’s a grounded conversation that covers everything from her love of travel and her dogs to the ongoing debate over how to make the best pastitsio. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Tracy Spiridakos joins Story & Craft 00:03:10 | Introducing all the “cousins” to her friend 00:05:27 | Moving back to Greece and her dad's hair salon 00:11:13 | Working at a bank and restaurants while pursuing acting 00:15:38 | Landing her role on Revolution during her first trip to LA 00:18:47 | The decision to step away from Chicago PD after seven seasons 00:23:45 | Connecting with her sarcastic, bad-ass character on Anna Pigeon 00:29:14 | The feeling of stepping off the plane in Athens 00:32:52 | Why her initial goal was simply to act full time without side jobs 00:37:17 | The creative difference between acting in a film versus television 00:39:31 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Director Lee Kirk from “The Giant Mechanical Man” and “Nimrods,” the Green Day comedy, joins us on Story & Craft. The conversation explores Lee's nomadic childhood moving to a new school every single year, and how that constant search for footing shaped the emotionally grounded, slightly melancholic characters he creates today. Host Marc Preston and Lee also reflect on three decades in the entertainment industry, tracing the path from their Texas beginnings to the gritty realities of building a creative life in Los Angeles. Lee shares the personal stories behind his biggest milestones, including the random text message from Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong that launched his new film, “Nimrods”. He opens up about the experience of falling in love with his wife, Jenna Fischer, on a movie set, stepping behind the camera on “The Office,” and the incredible experience of directing both of his kids in his new movie. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Lee Kirk joins Story & Craft 00:02:42 | Reconnecting after 36 years and reflecting on three decades in entertainment 00:04:28 | The random text from Billie Joe Armstrong that sparked a Green Day movie 00:05:32 | Turning Green Day's real-life tour stories into movie plot points 00:09:20 | How constantly moving across the country as a kid left him feeling adrift 00:16:43 | The 3 AM panic and terrified career doubts of his early 30s 00:18:47 | Getting tapped to direct “The Office” after Ron Howard dropped out 00:19:47 | Falling in love with his wife, Jenna Fischer, on a movie set 00:29:29 | Working one-on-one with Billie Joe Armstrong to build his acting confidence 00:33:46 | Directing both of his kids on set alongside his wife, Jenna Fischer 00:40:09 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Chris Marquette from “The Girl Next Door” and Prime Video’s “Reacher” joins us on Story & Craft. Chris joined the industry early, navigating the unique landscape of child acting with roles spanning from commercial voiceovers to television sets. We discuss the transition from those foundational years to understanding the practical realities of the entertainment business as a young adult. It is a candid conversation about the resilience required to build a sustainable career in Hollywood. We also cover his recent move to the west coast of Ireland, where he is raising his daughter and developing new writing projects. Chris shares insights into his new role on Prime Video's “Reacher,” breaking down the physical demands of playing a small-town cop alongside Alan Ritchson. From the delayed cult success of “The Girl Next Door” to his approach to staying grounded off-camera, this episode offers a practical look at the life of a working actor. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Chris Marquette joins Story & Craft 02:00 | Moving to the west coast of Ireland to raise his daughter 08:35 | Starting his career early with commercial voiceovers and Barney 13:10 | The sketchy seminar that landed him his first headshots and acting jobs 17:11 | Crossing paths with Jennifer Aniston during pilot season 21:00 | Getting a harsh crash course on the business side of acting in his twenties 25:33 | Navigating the shadow of past roles 36:54 | How The Girl Next Door bombed in theaters before finding massive cult success on DVD 42:59 | Entering the Reacher universe 44:53 | Dealing with the Alan Ritchson’s physical presence on set 46:55 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Writer and director Owen Dennis from “Infinity Train” and Paramount+’s “Among Us” joins us on Story & Craft. Owen discusses his unexpected path to animation, detailing his time teaching English in China and the early motivation that pushed him to pursue art outside his hometown. He shares the hands-on process of creating a fully hand-drawn, 2D animated series and the practical challenges of pitching adult animation in an industry that relies heavily on genre stereotypes. He also explains the unique dynamics of directing voice actors, noting why comedy actors naturally excel with timing in the booth. Owen talks about navigating production hurdles – such as animating before recording voices during the actors' strike – and shares how taking solo road trips helps him recharge creatively. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Owen Dennis joins Story & Craft 00:08:29 | Escaping the Great Recession by moving to China 00:13:27 | Losing a one-person art contest 00:15:20 | Why 2D animation is making a massive comeback 00:18:09 | Animating “Among Us” during the actors' strike 00:24:36 | The biggest hurdle when pitching adult animation 00:28:34 | Turning a notebook doodle into a hit character 00:34:00 | Unplugging on solo road trips to find new ideas 00:40:13 | Why comedy actors dominate the voice booth 00:44:16 | Why Robert Pattinson was born to do voiceover 00:45:48 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Tommi Rose, from Nickelodeon to Prime Video’s “The Devil’s Mouth,” joins us on Story & Craft. Tommi shares her experiences going from a theater kid in Florida to making the leap to Los Angeles at seventeen after working on Nickelodeon's “I Am Frankie”. We talk about the importance of keeping your imagination alive as an artist, and how her “double Pisces” daydreaming habit is actually a superpower. She also shares some incredibly grounding advice she received early on from working alongside Burt Reynolds. We also get into her experience filming Prime Video's “The Devil's Mouth”. Tommi talks about the grueling physical challenge of shooting in massive water tanks in Thailand, and how she managed the stress by buying a tiny local oven to bake her famous dirt pies and chocolate chip cookies for the cast. From managing a tricky gluten allergy abroad to her go-to morning playlist, Tommi gives us a great look at how she stays centered and positive. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Tommi Rose joins Story & Craft 00:04:48 | The Jelly Bean Camp and falling in love with musical theater 00:06:49 | Why excitement outweighed the intimidation of moving to LA at seventeen 00:12:00 | Defending the importance of daydreaming for artists 00:15:47 | Refusing to limit her ambitions to just one career path 00:22:54 | Burt Reynolds' advice on listening to your scene partner 00:26:44 | How her close-knit family keeps her sane in Hollywood 00:32:00 | Realizing she was stress-baking and bringing the joy back to the holidays 00:33:22 | Buying a mini oven in Thailand to bake for the cast 00:46:27 | The physical exhaustion of shooting survival scenes in water tanks 00:51:00 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Jamie Hector from “The Wire” and Apple TV’s “Cape Fear” joins us on Story & Craft. We discuss Jamie’s roots, having grown up in Brooklyn as the youngest of seven and how his older sister sparked his early love for the arts. Jamie shares the exact moment he knew he belonged in the creative world – walking into a community theater space when he was 16 and feeling an instant connection to the energy in the room. It wasn't long before he shifted his focus away from college chemistry classes and fully committed to acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. We also talk about his dedication to giving back through his youth program, Moving Mountains, which has mentored thousands of kids in Brooklyn over the last two decades. To cap it off, Jamie talks about the unique validation of being handpicked by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg for his current role. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Jamie Hector joins Story & Craft 00:03:38 | Anthony Bourdain's surprise interview with Michael K. Williams in Brooklyn 00:07:33 | Learning tough lessons from a neighborhood firecracker incident 00:09:10 | How his late sister Lisa became his creative North Star 00:13:07 | Waking up at 6 AM to write hip hop with childhood friends 00:14:36 | Discovering his true calling at a local community theater 00:16:55 | Ditching college chemistry to pursue an acting career 00:18:43 | Founding Moving Mountains to empower the next generation of actors 00:20:29 | Committing to his craft at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute 00:22:04 | Why Denzel Washington is his ultimate acting template 00:26:00 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Chin Han from “Mortal Kombat” and Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” joins us on Story & Craft. We chat about his unique childhood growing up in Singapore, blending local theater and film with a steady diet of American blockbusters, British television, and Hong Kong martial arts epics. Chin talks about his early days deciding whether to fully commit to acting, balancing his parents' hopes for a traditional profession with his genuine love for the arts, and the ultimate push he gave himself after finishing his degree. Chin also shares some incredible stories from the sets of films, including his overwhelming first day shooting “The Dark Knight” with Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckhart. We wrap up by talking about his favorite comfort foods – specifically his love for a perfect bowl of rice – and his appreciation for the quiet moments in used bookstores. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Chin Han joins Story & Craft 03:12 | Watching Singapore rapidly evolve through the 1970s and 80s 05:52 | How having parents as educators influenced his early cinematic tastes 08:00 | The unique mix of global television that fueled his love for storytelling 15:59 | Discovering heavy, visceral cinema like “The Godfather” at a young age 20:00 | The fast-paced, guerrilla-style filmmaking of Steven Soderbergh's “Contagion” 25:52 | Pushing for volume and authenticity in Asian-American on-screen representation 29:32 | The massive global reach of the American film industry 33:17 | Working with his cinematic heroes on the set of “The Dark Knight” 38:45 | Building a performance from the outside in using wardrobe and armor 42:25 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Aaron Moten from “Disjointed” and Prime Video’s “Fallout” joins us on Story & Craft. We catch up with Aaron as he settles into life in Los Angeles after spending five years in Iceland with his family. We chat about his Texas roots growing up in Austin, his pivot from an aspiring lawyer to a Juilliard-trained actor, and the realities of translating stage acting to working on camera. He also shares some behind-the-scenes moments from his recent work. From having Kathy Bates advocate for him early in his television career to a hilarious “baptism by fire” stunt sequence on his very first day shooting Fallout, Aaron brings a ton of heart and insight to the table. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 | Aaron Moten joins Story & Craft 00:03:24 | The beauty of Iceland's audible blank canvas 00:10:12 | Dealing with late growth spurts and the pressure of playing point guard 00:12:43 | Why pretending to be a lawyer is much more fun than actually being one 00:15:24 | Developing technical tools and a fallback plan at Juilliard 00:18:32 | The hard lesson of saving your tears for the close-up shot 00:21:03 | Understanding focal lengths and camera coverage on a multi-cam set 00:24:59 | Kathy Bates' unbelievable work ethic and on-set advocacy 00:29:00 | Jonah Nolan's baptism by fire and a terrifying missing harness 00:32:13 | Transforming the Namibian desert into a post-apocalyptic Santa Monica 00:35:50 | The Seven Questions STAY IN THE KNOW Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.comFOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpodCONNECT WITH MARC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airprestonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.