Conversations with Calcaterra
Conversations with Calcaterra is about people who are passionate about what they do, whether it be art, business, entertainment, or healing. Real people living extraordinary lives. Names you’ve never heard, stories you’ll never forget.
EP73 – Rebecca Schaaf (Entrepreneur) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“One of my favorites was the metal trivia night. We had tons of people coming in, all cocky with their cool shirts. They left crying because they didn’t know half the answers.” – Rebecca Schaaf on Conversations with...
EP72 – Eric and Darren Vorel (Musicians – TLB) – EXPLICIT – Conversations with Calcaterra
“There is no time to go over songs because they (Darren Vorel and Tom Higginson) literally drop them on me at the last second. So I gave up on learning the songs and found that just going into the studio is like F you guys. You’re going to get what you get. –...
EP71 – Javier Mendoza (Singer/Songwriter a.k.a. Hobo Cane) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“People will give me a recording of a show but I don’t listen. Once I do I’ll realize how bad I am at this.” – Javier Mendoza on Conversations with Calcaterra “Because of Covid I don’t think I’ll ever want to play a show without a drummer anymore…because of...
EP70 – Phil Johnston (Writer, Director – Wreck It Ralph, Zootopia, Ralph Wrecks the Internet, Cedar Rapids)
“There’s an old Disney joke...if you don’t want to work on Saturday, don’t even bother coming in on Sunday.” – Phil Johnston on Conversations with Calcaterra “I suspect Stay Puft (Marshmallow Man) has references back to King Kong also. We’re all fishing in the...
EP69 – Eddie Van Halen Tribute with Jimmy Griffin, Eric Grossman and Joe Meyer (Explicit) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Eddie Van Halen…he never did anything that didn’t sound like EVH. His voice was so unique.” – Jimmy Griffin on Conversations with Calcaterra “He’s the Bill Murray of guitar players.” – Eric Grossman about Eddie Van Halen randomly hanging out with fans....
EP68 – Randy Burns (Music Producer, Engineer – Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“It’s the only band I know that had jazz fusion guys come into a metal band and that set them apart.” – Randy Burns about Megadeth on Conversations with Calcaterra “Dave (Mustaine) looked at my credentials and said if he did Suicidal tendencies he’s okay.” –...
EP67 – Jason McEntire (Music Producer, Engineer – Sawhorse Studios ) – EXPLICIT – Conversations with Calcaterra
EP67 – Jason McEntire (Music Producer, Engineer – Sawhorse Studios ) – EXPLICIT - Conversations with Calcaterra “Rock and Roll is not dead it’s just seemingly hard to discover. It’s hard to find now because there is so much else out there. It’s not just RGB...
EP66 – Tom Bober (Educator) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I was raised with a lot of self doubt, so... I walk out of work everyday and think...how can I get a little better?” – Tom Bober as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “If somebody is always sharing something that you have to question and crowd source for them...
EP65 – Steve Berry (Fine Arts Educator – Theatre) – Part 2 – Conversations with Calcaterra
“The world gets smaller and smaller the older you get so be careful.” – Steve Berry as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “A little story about being Sting’s…Sun.“– Steve Berry on Conversations with Calcaterra “I remember trying to be so artsy for 12 Angry...
EP64 – Steve Berry (Fine Arts Educator – Theatre) – Part 1 Conversations with Calcaterra
“I graduated college in 1988 and put out a half dozen resumes. My parents who had taken care of the education put out hundreds.” – Steve Berry as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “You know the saying. “Once a Hawk always a Hawk.” So in one sense of the world...
EP63 – Jim Ousley and Ben Sawyer (Comic Book Creators) EXPLICIT – CWC
Ken talks to the creative team of indie comic classics; The Rough and Tumble, Dead Palace, The Butcher Queen and their upcoming series Butch Queen Planet of the Dead. Jim and Ben begin collaborating about a decade ago and talk about their creative process and...
EP62 – Jeremy Bohannon (Encyclopedia of Pop Culture) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“1986 was when Dark Knight Returns came out. And that is probably the single greatest year in the history of comics. Cause, and if for no other reason than you could say Dark Knight returns and Watchman in the same year.” – Jeremy Bohannon as stated on Conversations...
EP61 – Craig Nobbs (Screenwriter) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I’m the writer who likes to show up as close to everyday. A friend in my writers group wrote a book about comedy screenwriting, he had a term called ass in chair which I’m an advocate of. You show up each day even if you don’t see output.” – Craig Nobbs as stated on...
EP60 – Jake Cowan (Storyteller – World Traveler) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I will insist professional wrestling is storytelling!” – Jake Cowan as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “Just because you know how to run a $10 million dollar business in the profit world doesn’t mean you know how to run it in the non-profit world.” – Jake...
EP59 – Patrick Lawrence (Filmmaker/Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“It’s a weird incestuous relationship with me and The Killers (band).” – Patrick Lawrence as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “Stan Lee didn’t create Spiderman until he was 40 years old...that’s something that is really inspiring to me.” – Patrick Lawrence as...
EP58 – Marlon West (Animator/Filmmaker) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“All the initial films were lessons in managing disappointment.” – Marlon West as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “I’m just trying to spark conversation. I’m a guy who makes cartoons for a living not a hard core advocate or anything like that. I felt it was...
EP57 – Jimmy Griffin of El Monstero, The Incurables and King of the Hill (Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“El Monstero is the monster truck version of Pink Floyd…It’s as if Pink Floyd had seen a KISS concert before becoming Pink Floyd.” – Jimmy Griffin as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “You’ve got to love to do it (play music) if you want anybody else to be...
EP56 – Alex Johnmeyer, Henryk Ptasiewicz, Lindsay Wanner, Steven Walden (Artist Panel) EXPLICIT LANGUAGE – Conversations with Calcaterra
“One of my favorite quotes that I have read is your future self is talking shit about you.” – Steven Walden as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “The argument is if Leonardo DaVinci was alive today would he be making film.” – Henryk Ptasiewicz as stated on...
EP55 – Craig Hawksley (Retired Comedian) EXPLICIT – Conversations with Calcaterra
“If you suck in front of 7000 people it gets mighty quiet…you can imagine how quiet they get if you tell them a bad joke.” – Craig Hawksley as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “I hate to write but I love having to have written…that’s the biggest bunch of crap...
EP54 – Tim James (Health Coach) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“62% of all bankruptcies in the United States are related to medical bills.” – Tim James as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “You have all the power to turn your health around, to get your energy back…to lose the weight. It’s not some mystical deal. You just...
EP53 – Adrian Todd Zuniga (Author) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“The idea of starting tomorrow is a lie.” - Adrian Todd Zuniga as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “Do not move to LA unless you have a project.” - Adrian Todd Zuniga as stated on Conversations with Calcaterra “I’m not the brightest guy but I’m pretty smart.” –...
EP52 – Sylvester Chisom (Entrepreneur) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“There’s no shortage of great ideas but you have to match the ideas with execution.” – Sylvester Chisom as said on Conversations with Calcaterra “Tomorrow is the busiest day for everybody.” – Sylvester Chisom as said on Conversations with Calcaterra “You don’t have to...
EP51 – Eric Grossman (Fitness Trainer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“You heard of people who are farm strong? You start by picking up a calf every day and then at one day you’ll be picking up a cow.” – Eric Grossman “A 1000 mile journey starts with one step.” – Eric Grossman “Eating is one of my joys in life and I’m not going to...
EP50 – The Smash aka Asher Benrubi (Radio Icon / Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I ain’t complain, I’m explainin.” – The Smash aka Asher Benrubi “The best education is from the University of Doing It!” – The Smash aka Asher Benrubi “Honor God, help people. If you’re helping people you’re honoring God.” - The Smash aka Asher Benrubi Join Ken on...
EP49 – Joe Sanfilipo (Entrepreneur) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“You’re only as good as your last meal.” – Joe Sanfilippo “You can’t qualify your life as successful just because of finances.” – Joe Sanfillippo Joe’s career in the restaurant business began at the age of 11 when he filled in at one of his uncle’s restaurants on New...
EP48 – Tony West (Filmmaker) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“A large cross represented a person who had died of cancer and a small cross represented those who were battling cancer. There were way to many crosses out there.” – Tony West “People said you’re a television cameraman, what do you know about nuclear waste. Well I’m...
EP47 – Cardinals Baseball (Themed) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Baseball is as American as apple pie is the old saying and people all over the USA are excited for opening day especially St. Louisans who pride themselves for their sports fandom especially for the beloved Cardinals. Opening day in St. Louis feels like a holiday and...
EP46 – Jason Cleaveland (Entreprenuer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I love the pull yourself up by your bootstraps philosophy but that implies that you have boots.” – Jason Cleaveland “We've created so many barriers to entry for the for these low-level entry-level jobs that were people are really doomed to life a life of poverty.” -...
EP45 – Benjamin Hochman (Sportswriter) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“For me the idea that I was wanted in life is to be a sports voice of the city. In my profession of sports writing, few things are more enamored than the guy or girl who writes something that everybody reads. Who says something everybody hears, that’s pretty cool.” –...
EP44 – Matt Simms and Lucas Yochum (Content Creators) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“The whole origin for doing this project was…it gives us an excuse to explore the city. Learn more stuff around us and hopefully be better St. Louisians or just people in general because were going out and exploring something.” – Matt Sims “Well it's important to...
EP43 – Matt Hodel (Tattoo Artist) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“On working with other people – “I think a lot of times it’s just planting seeds and the weird thing is that just because you have a vision and you see things your way doesn't mean that when you plant the seed in someone else there going to grow the same tree or...
EP42 – Bernie Siegel (Healer/Author) – Conversations with Calcaterra
This episode is dedicated to Ken Calcaterra Sr. “I believe that we are here to contribute love to the planet each of us in our own way.” – Bernie Siegel “Mother Theresa said that she would not attend an antiwar rally, and the people who invited her were very upset,...
EP41 – Steve St. Cyr (Founder Songbird Cafe) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Step into the world of Songbird Café a unique St. Louis listening experience modeled after the Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café. Ken sits down with Songbird founder and curator Steve St. Cyr to discuss some of Steve’s favorite moments from the past five years of...
EP40 – Bengie Molina (Athlete / Author) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Everybody knows us, the Molina brothers in the Major Leagues…this man, this dad we had was our Hall of Famer!” – Bengie Molina “All of us were pulling for each other, and we battled our butts off out there! We wanted to be very special, we wanted to do it! Sometimes...
EP39 – Jeff Stevens (Entrepreneur / Creative) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“We’re going to raise hell…responsibly! – Jeff Stevens (Entrepreneur/Creative) – Well Being Brewing Company “Because of the speed of communication the standard of perfection really isn’t there. It’s more about trying shit! – Jeff Stevens (Entrepreneur/Creative) – Well...
EP38 – Connor Weinstein (Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Music along with love is probably the most powerful force in the universe and I think it has the power to change lives!!!” – Connor Weinstein (Singer/Guitarist) – Next Door to the Moon “The most meaningful aspect of being a musician is making an emotional connection...
EP37 – Shane Presley (Podcaster) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“The theory behind it all is to shine a light on the St. Louis music scene. I’m of the mentality that if one succeeds we all benefit.” – Shane Presley – Rock Paper Podcast “People hit me up all the time…how do I do a podcast? I want to do it and I’m like, do it! Grab...
EP36 – Tony Rehagen (Writer – Journalist) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Life is collecting experiences and that’s literally my job!” – Tony Rehagen - Journalist “I think that the definition of success is when work becomes fun and a lot of people never get to experience that. I feel extremely fortunate that I have.” – Tony Rehagen -...
EP35 – Ryan Gaughan (Educator – Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“If you want to build a fan base do it by caring about that fanbase!” – Ryan Gaughan, Among Criminals – La Capitana “Holding yourself accountable to other people is the best muscle to start holding yourself accountable! – Ryan Gaughan, Among Criminals – La Capitana...
EP34 – Jimmy Buckets Tribute – EXPLICIT – (Musicians)- Conversations with Calcaterra
Art is one’s legacy. When we create art a piece of our soul is infused in the work and when we leave this planet it remains for others to cherish our energy. Jimmy Smith affectionately known as Jimmy Buckets based on his prowess behind a drum kit (and sometimes...
EP33 – Curtis Wylde (Pro Wrestler/Public Servant)- Conversations with Calcaterra
“If you get out of politics and you’re rich, it’s because you either got bought off, you sold out your people or you did something wrong. I’m a public servant!” – Curtis Wylde, Professional Wrestler and Public Servant “I don’t ever want to be called a politician. To...
EP32 – Elle Brodsky (Yogi – Entrepreneur) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“There’s just something about being barefoot in a public place that makes you feel really connected to it and those around you.” – Elle Brodski, Founder Yogabuzz “Yogabuzz is one of my favorite activities as I’m able to take part in a fun yoga practice and then meet...
EP31 – Evan Grae Davis (Documentary Filmmaker) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Art is the almost undefinable component that creates a distinction between information and a story.” – Evan Grae Davis “Even the corporate work that pays well, I’m not going to do unless I can do it in a way that moves my soul!” – Evan Grae Davis There are not many...
EP30 – Corey Stulce – (Author) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“I definitely wanted it to be not just a glossy Hollywood tale but to have some drama.” – Corey Stulce on “The Union of the State” What is the current Union of the State? Do you even know who the State are? If not then you should definitely tune in to learn why author...
EP29 – The Notches – (Educational Disrupters) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Focus on the finish line. That finish line isn’t moving it’s waiting for you!” – Ronnie Notch “It’s all about planting seeds and when you plant those seeds you get the chance to watch the tree grow and the fruit is the students through where they go! Later we’ll see...
EP28 – Julie Longyear – (Entreprenuer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Which organ in the human body is the largest? Wait for it…this episodes guest is Julie Longyear owner of a Blissoma a company which manufactures and distributes holistic skincare and apothecary products, plant based which is good for the body and the planet. The skin...
EP27 – John and Amy Camie – (Spiritual Guides) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Money is only a problem when it becomes the coin of the dragon.” – John Camie “When you Believe, the patience will reward you!” – John Camie What would you like to discover about yourself? Where does the power lie within? These are questions which can be examined by...
EP26 – Coco Vinny – (Entreprenuer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
“Every setback is a setup for a comeback” – Coco Vinny (Vincent Zaldivar) We live in a world where sustainable is the current buzzword but how many businesses are living up to the hype they are promoting? This can tricky to quantify but Ken’s conversation with the...
EP25 – Roqbody Academy – (Fitness Trainers) – Conversations with Calcaterra
How many people do you know who set a New Years Resolution to lose weight or better yet a goal to get fit and live a healthier lifestyle? How many of those people actually follow through more than a month or two? The key to success is creating making it a habit and...
EP24 – Eric Betz – (Yogi) – Conversations with Calcaterra
What does it take to perform a handstand? For Eric Betz it took 180 days of practice and he continues to perfect it although to onlookers he makes it look easy. Eric began practicing Yoga after a car accident kept him from the gym, his sanctuary. The life altering...
EP23 – Rico Anderson – (Actor) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Who is the guy in that thing? In this episode it’s Rico Anderson a Los Angeles based character actor who wasn’t in the documentary “That Guy…Who Was in That Thing,” but is one of those guys who has been in many things including a pilot episode for a Star Trek show...
EP22 – Pops and Uncle Frank – (Familia) – Conversations with Calcaterra
How many people out there have maintained a friendship for over 50 years? Pops and Uncle Frank (Frankie "Cheech" Farina) met on board the USS Independence during the Vietnam War becoming brothers from other mothers and adopted sons into each others families. We...
EP21 – Eric Murphy – (Documentarian) – Conversations with Calcaterra
The 2016 Presidential Election brought the rise of populist candidate Donald Trump. What most people don't know is Trump is not the first to take politics by storm. Jim Traficant the son of a truck driver came to prominence during the Reagan administration and took no...
EP20 – Adam Huber – (Parodist) – Conversations with Calcaterra
A parody is a work created to imitate, make fun of, or comment on an original work—its subject, author, style, or some other target—by means of satiric or ironic imitation. It is the preferred art form of Adam Huber, independent filmmaker and founder of the popular...
EP19 – Alan Carter – (Healer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Alan Carter is a man of many talents with a lifetime of experience as a martial artist, police officer and most passionately as an herbalist. Ken speaks with Alan about herbal tinctures and his time in Bosnia where the French speaking Belgian Army played a prank on...
EP18 – Tyler Russell (Filmmaker) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Writing a feature film is not an easy task and making one especially with limited resources is improbable but Tyler Russell and his team of passionate visual storytellers have accomplished this with their tale of a reluctant dog track owner trying to outrun his...
EP17 – St. Louis Blues – (Themed) – Conversations
When you hear the opening music you'll know artist Steve Walden is studio...we do what we can on a tight budget. The St. Louis Blues are on a historic run to raise Lord Stanley's Cup and what better way to celebrate then a discussion with the patriarch of St. Louis'...
EP16 – Typewriter Tim Jordan (Artist/Healer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Typewriter Tim is a true original. His artistic adventure began with the study of art at Kansas University. He later discovered his grandfather's old typewriter covered with dust on a basement shelf and the rest is history....
EP15 – Amy Camie (Spiritual Harpist) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Spiritual harpist, I bet that's a label most people have never heard. What is a spiritual harpist? When you listen to the music of Amy Camie your spirit is lifted. She pours her heart and soul into her compositions creating an energetic sonic experience which leads to...
EP14 – Tyson Schaffner (Adventurer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
What does it take to be an adventurer? Tyson Schaffner has the zest for life and has focused on gaining experiences over possessions. Tyson began his career as a television sound mixer on the set of "The Real World - Chicago. He has worked in reality television for...
EP13 – Brad Evans and Keith Dickerson (Activists) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Heroin has become a huge problem in the United States and not just with the poor. It has crept into middle and upper class neighborhoods and can destroy lives. Who are these addicts and who were they before they became addicted to the drug? Is there hope or should we...
EP12 – Chris Blair (Entrepreneur/Songwriter) – Conversations with Calcaterra
There is a place in downtown Nashville where people flock to hear the top country and pop songs from the songwriters who crafted them. This place is The Listening Room Cafe and the man who brought it downtown and who has worked tirelessly for the past 8 years is Chris...
EP11 – Ben Sturgell (Musician/Music Producer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
What does it sound like when a piece of an artists soul is on a record? We're not just talking one or two songs here but each and every song which paints a picture of that artist's journey. This is what you get when you listen to the album "Music Box" from...
EP10 – Pino Squillace (Music Producer/Percussionist) – (Explicit) Conversations with Calcaterra
What does it feel like to have a higher purpose? Music producer and legendary percussionist Pino Squillace found music after nearly dying from a drug overdose. The Italian native realized music was his calling while in rehab in Florence Italy and the rest is history....
EP09 – Star Wars Roundtable (Themed) – (Explicit) Conversations with Calcaterra
The new Star Wars flick is breaking all sorts of records and Conversations with Calcaterra is as well with more profanity then any other episode thanks to artist Steven Walden and reviewer Jeff Ritter. It was all in good fun and this conversation like many other...
EP08 – David Carson (Photojournalist) Part Two – Conversations with Calcaterra
What was the experience of going into a Quiktrip while it was being looted just moments before being engulfed in flames? How about witnessing a man being shot and pulling him to safety when one's job is simply to capture the images of these occurrences. David Carson...
EP07 – David Carson (Photojournalist) Part One – Conversations with Calcaterra
What I admire the most about David Carson is his integrity along with his amazing creative eye. Giving a fair and balanced view of the world is not easy but David has accomplished this in both Afghanastan, Iraq and Fergurson along with photographing more than his fair...
EP06 – Steven Walden (Artist) – (Explicit) Conversations with Calcaterra
How many people just fall into art and are able to make a career painting...in less than a year. Steven Walden began painting when he took an art therapy class while working on a Masters Degree in counseling at Webster University. He received his degree in August of...
EP05 – Jim Ousley and Oscar Madrid (Writers) – (Explicit) Conversations with Calcaterra
It can be a difficult task to find one's creative soulmate but that is what we have with this episodes guests who have collaborated together for over 15 years. First in theatre, then with a low budget mockumentary "Hooch and Daddy-O" followed by the development of the...
EP04 – Adam Neal (Television Producer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
How many of you have watched a non-scripted (reality) show on television? Who are the people who create these shows? Adam Neal has worked in the industry for over decade having spent 12 years in Los Angeles. He continues to develop content and has worked with some of...
EP03 – Brant Wilkins (Entrepreneur) – Conversations with Calcaterra
What type of person do you visualize when you think owner of a bread and breakfast? Brant Wilkins is the alternative to the standard. One of the youngest B&B owners in Hermann, MO his establishment is non traditional. The former professional wrestler has worked...
EP02 – John Vlasich (Healer) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Air Force veteran John Vlasich has been practicing the healing arts for over 24 years. He discovered the magic of Shamanism while dealing with alcoholism and has since become a Reiki master, EFT practitioner and Chigong healer. He puts these modalities together to...
EP01 – Ben Wilson (Musician) – Conversations with Calcaterra
Ben Wilson is an "alternative folk" singer/songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. Ken and Ben discuss Ben's latest album Wilson, the prolific storytelling which he channels through his music, and his various charity endeavors. Ben grew up listening to the Counting...