Susie Meister: The Meister Piece » Podcasts show

Susie Meister: The Meister Piece » Podcasts

Summary: The Meister Piece covers pop culture, current events, fashion, and beauty with various celebrity and expert guests. Formerly of MTV's Road Rules and several Real World Road Rules Challenges, host Susie Meister covers the latest hot topics with her characteristic wit and irreverence. As a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Susie is also drawn towards more substantive content as well, but The Meister Piece frames the topics through casual dialogue.

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Podcasts:

 TJ Lavin: MTV’s The Challenge Host and BMX Rider | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:15

Everyone knows TJ Lavin as the likable and competitive host of MTV's The Challenge and professional BMX rider.  I have known TJ for many years, and was excited when you all requested him to come on The Meister Piece.  I haven't been on a Challenge since his accident in 2010, and wanted to find out what happened and how he's doing now.  We talk about the show, why he hates quitters, and what he does when he's not globetrotting.  

 Marc Summers: Double Dare, Unwrapped, and Restaurant: Impossible | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:58

Marc Summers was a fixture in many of our homes growing up on Nickelodeon's "Double Dare," and now it's always a delight to see him on The Food Network's "Unwrapped."   He isn't just a one trick pony, though, as he executive produces "Restaurant: Impossible," with Robert Irvine airing Sundays at 10pm.  He is warm, sweet, and fun--just what you felt when you watched him as a child.  He was in a car accident last year as a passenger in a NYC taxi and we begin the interview checking on how he is doing now in his recovery process.  I learn lots about his television career, and by the end I feel like I've known him all my life. I know you'll be mad that I didn't say, "I'll take a physical challenge," but I tried to resist too many "Double Dare," references even though it was such a great part of the 80's.  Follow him on Twitter: @Ibatvmc.  

 Half Year in Review with Historian Oliver Bateman | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 50:53

This episode is a return for guest Oliver Bateman, professor of History at University of Texas at Arlington.  We look back at the comedy and tragedy thus far and see if our predictions from our December episode have proven to be accurate.  You can follow Oliver on Twitter @moustacheclubUS (I'm @susie_meister).  The real tragedy of this episode is that we had to record it twice. It must've been meant to be, however, because in the interim Baby North West was born and James Gandolfini died, so all is right with the Half Year in Review.  Special thanks to Emily Traynor who provided our awesome artwork celebrating our six months in review.  Visit her website www.emilytraynor.com for more of her beautiful work.  

 Danny Bonaduce: The Partridge Family and Breaking Bonaduce | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 35:50

I've been dying to talk to today's guest for years. Danny Bonaduce has a personality as enormous as his talent, and I wanted to see if he really is like his lively on-air persona. Thanks to his lovely wife, Amy, I was able to get him on the line for an interview with The Meister Piece. Though most people know him from 70's hit,"The Partridge Family," but this former child star has had great success in hosting ("I Know My Kid's a Star," "World's Dumbest") and reality television ("Breaking Bonaduce").  He has been working in radio for ages, though, and this is where he feels most at home. He's been in Seattle at KZOK-FM for years, and goes back and forth between his homes in Seattle and LA.  Part of his success surely comes from his willingness to be completely uncensored, and his wit makes him a laugh-a-minute. My interview was a blast, and I hope I get to talk to him again soon. You can follow him on Twitter @TheDoochMan and check out his website www.dannybonaduce.net.    

 A&E Intervention’s Ken Seeley | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:53

I am addicted to A&E's "Intervention," and I'm fine with the irony. I once joined a Facebook group called, "I Would Go To Rehab for Ken Seeley," so today's guest was a personal joy.  With the news last week that "Intervention" was being cancelled, I knew it was more important than ever to post this interview with one of the show's interventionists. With over 20 years of sobriety, Ken shared with me how he began using drugs, why he stopped, and how he is helping others.  He offers insight on the disease of addiction and how celebrities are particularly difficult to reach. I hope you find this interview as inspiring and compelling as I did. Ken is a wonderful person and it was an honor to speak to him. Visit his site: www.intervention911.com for information on how to get help for you or a loved one.  

 Long Island Medium’s Larry Caputo Jr. | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 32:07

I am a huge fan of the Long Island Medium on TLC where "typical Long Island Mom," Theresa Caputo, uses her gift to speak to the dead to relay messages to people she meets.  While the show features Theresa's gift, her family often steals the show. Today I talk to her son, Larry Caputo and find out what he thinks of his mom's gift and being on a reality show. I find out whether he thinks he too has the gift to connect to the spiritual world, and what he thought of the hilarious SNL sketch about their family.  Follow Larry on Twitter @larrycaputo and watch Long Island Medium Sundays at 8pm on TLC.  

 Cara Zavaleta: Playboy Playmate and MTV Road Ruler | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 34:05

I met Cara in the Bahamas when we were at an appearance where reality people get paid to frolic. I knew instantly that we were kindreds--no one can make me laugh like this broad. Through our times on the Challenges people have grown to love/hate us, but man, do we know how to have fun.  Cara is a Road Ruler and Playboy Playmate, but now she is a mama, and a lifestyle blogger.  Find out how we made it through the Real World Road Rules Challenges and what she's up to now! Check her out at www.carazavaleta.com.  

 Kelly Carlin: Writer, Performer, oh, and Daughter of George Carlin | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 36:47

Kelly Carlin is an incredibly talented writer and performer, yet her name is always attached to that of her comedy legend father, George Carlin.  While she admits to her fair share of rebellion and chaos, she now uses the relationship between her and her parents as a way to showcase her talent.  Her one-woman show, A Carlin Home Companion, features stories about growing up with a legend and finding her own voice along the way.  She always hosts The Kelly Carlin Show podcast on SiriusXM radio where she interview comedians, and she also hosts a podcast called Waking from the American Dream where she features much of her original material and interviews notable people.  She does it all, I tell you.  Visit www.kellycarlinsite.com for more information on this renaissance woman. Follow her on twitter: @kelly_carlin  

 Westboro Baptist Church Member: Rachel Phelps Hockenbarger | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:56

NOTE: Unfortunately, this was meant to be the first video podcast, but the first 30 minutes did not process properly, so you can watch two clips below. The podcast contains the full interview and can be found below the videos. As I prepared for this interview many people asked why I would want to bring more attention to this "hate group." My decision to speak to Rachel Phelps Hockenbarger of the Westboro Baptist Church was not done without careful consideration. I think the public and the media typically talk about this group without understanding their theology, reasoning, or motivation. Let there be no mistake, I condemn the beliefs, actions, and theology of the Westboro Baptist Church. I do not think they represent Christians, Baptists, or Calvinists. I believe they have twisted the Bible to justify the condemnation of all who disagree with them. Their narrow-minded approach is antithetical to the message of Jesus and the themes of the Bible including non-judgment, compassion, and gentleness. That being said, I am a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies and I am genuinely interested in how people choose to practice their religious beliefs and how they make sense of their theology even if I find those beliefs offensive.  Whatever you think of the Westboro Baptist Church, they have given a great deal of thought to how they approach Scripture and their faithfulness to that interpretation is unwavering. I can only imagine the impact on religion if all people had such devotion and commitment to their religious tradition and theology. As you listen to this podcast, remember that my approach was one of peace, love, and true interest in learning how they see the Bible and why. I was not interested in debate or hatred, for I believe I must behave in a way that I want them to--it's the Golden Rule.  Perhaps if there is any good that can come from interviews like this one, it is a call for each of us to consider what we believe, why we believe it, and what we can do to improve the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2JaR9DcN90 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHyZ4OY_8fA   LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE AUDIO INTERVIEW HERE:

 Family Guy Producer Kara Vallow | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 30:45

My guest today is an incredible woman who I became familiar with through her hilarious blog and Twitter page, and then discovered she was the long-time producing partner of Seth MacFarlane on "Family Guy" as well as "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show." According to her bio, she has lost a lot of Emmys (in other words, she's been nominated a zillion times for her incredible work!).  In this interview we find out which Republican this hardcore lefty would marry if she had to and why she ended up working in animation.  We taped this episode on Valentine's Day, and there's (almost) no one I'd rather be with on that day of love.  She smart, talented, and funny (all that, and likable).  Enjoy!  

 The Beach Boys’ Mike Love | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 30:21

The best day of my life was when I sang Surfin' USA on stage with The Beach Boys.  Today's interview is now tied for first as I got a chance to talk to my musical idol and ask him about his work with The Beach Boys, his passion for transcendental meditation, and his current tour.  Along the way he talks about hanging out (and having a creative rivalry) with The Beatles, why he and (cousin and musical genius) Brian Wilson are so different, and, I'm not positive, but I think he hired me as his Twitter manager.  I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.  I'm still swooning, and I will always be Mike's #1 Surfer Girl (even if I don't surf).  

 Nadia Comaneci: Olympic Gymnastics Legend | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:04

At the Montreal Olympics in 1976, Nadia Comaneci made Olympic history.  She was the first to get a perfect 10 in gymnastics, and then she repeated this incredible feat over and over again.  Once a member of the Romanian team under Bela Karolyi, Comaneci now lives in the United States with her gymnast husband, Bart Conner.  Today, she talks to The Meister Piece about that amazing performance in Montreal, working with Bela Karolyi, and her work with the Special Olympics.  Oh, and I ask her about working under Donald Trump on Celebrity Apprentice.  She is a legend, and frankly, I have no idea why she agreed to talk to me.  She truly is a Perfect 10.  You can visit her website for more on her gym, appearances, and charity work: www.bartandnadia.com.   Watch footage of that amazing performance here.  Follow her on Twitter: @nadiacomaneci10 and follow me @susie_meister  

 Erin Ryder from Destination Truth and Chasing UFOs | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 41:06

Erin Ryder is a woman of many talents; most notably she travels the globe and hunts down answers to earth's mysteries.  She chases UFOs, looks for monsters, and investigates ghosts.  And she does all this while looking amazing.  Despite my propensity to hate women like this, she manages to be likable too.  In this interview we talk about her many adventures around the world and why she considers herself to be a "skeliever" (skeptic/believer) when it comes to paranormal activity.  You can follow her on Twitter (@erinRyder13), visit her website, and watch for more TV adventures from her soon!  

 The Daily Show Writer JR Havlan | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 39:29

Raise your hand if you're jealous that I got to talk to JR Havlan.  This eight-time Emmy winner stopped by The Meister Piece to give us the scoop on his experience writing for The Daily Show and why he's gotten back into stand-up comedy and producing his own podcast (hint: mid-life crisis...).  He tells us what he watches on television and his advice for aspiring writers.  My only hope was that some of his talent would be transferred via microphone to me.  You should subscribe to his podcast (Writers Bloc Podcast) on iTunes and, of course, see his work on The Daily Show on Comedy Central.  Enjoy!  

 Everybody Loves Raymond Creator Phil Rosenthal | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 37:17

I know it's not unusual for me to flirt blatantly (but dare I say charmingly) with all my guests, but I truly am in love with Phil Rosenthal.  If his wife says it's okay I've asked him to come live with me and do odd jobs around the house and tell me stories.  The "Everybody Loves Raymond" creator is freakin' adorable and charmed me from the word 'go'.  He talked about his documentary Exporting Raymond about his attempt to help take "Raymond" to Russia and found that comedy is more complex than he thought.  He also shares his feelings on sitcoms now and his current project traveling the world and eating the best food (we all agree he is one lucky bastard).  And he just might be the nicest guy in Hollywood.  

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