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Michael Yonkura, Rocky Marciano 1st Cousin

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Sometimes in life, I just happen to stumble across potential guests for the podcast at random places and times. And Podfest 2026 was just one of those times and places.

I first spoke to Michael when a gentleman at the hotel was helping adjust one of Micheal’s legs. As I passed I made a joke that it looked like he had his own NASCAR pit crew. Thank goodness Michael has a good sense of humor because I could have been cancelled right then and there. See, Micheal is a double amputee and loves doing stand up comedy.

That was why he was easy to remember when I actually had a chance for a long conversation with him.

I had stepped outside of the hotel and Michael was sitting there getting some fresh air. Because it was a Podfest we naturally just started conversations with each other. He was telling me about why he was there, about how this was not his first Podfest and that he had signed up to do the comedy night again.

Michael was there to learn more about podcasting, to promote his company DualAmp Media, LLC. and raise awareness for his podcast ‘The No Feet Survival Guide’ a podcast about how he got through health issues with humor and faith.

He asked about why I was there and what Relatively Famous was? That led to him revealing that he was a distant relative of Rocky Marciano, the Heavyweight World Champion Boxer from 1952 – 1956. I knew who Rocky was but had to Google the correct terminology for his relationship to him. Marciano was Michael’s Great Grandfather’s 1st Cousin making him Michael’s 1st Cousin Twice Removed.

For a moment I thought that could be a stretch for the Relatively Famous audience. But I discovered Micheal has a great story! So for me that is close enough.

He does tell a few family stories about Rocky that have been passed down through the generations. But obviously never met him since Marciano died in 1969.

Though Micheal didn’t follow his cousin’s path into the ring, he does have a flair for the spotlight. Not only does host his own podcast about his health (double amputee, kidney transplant and a tough bout of MRSA), he also does stand up comedy, acting and voiceover work.

It was also during my Podfest conversation with Micheal that I met another Relatively Famous guest Will Neva – Randell Morris’ nephew. Yep, a shameless plug for another episode.

Anyway, let’s give Michael a giant round of applause and welcome him to the show.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-michael-while-waiting-for-disability
https://castro.fm/podcast/3b25903c-76f5-4a7a-b057-fa5088d5ec54
https://www.facebook.com/michael.yonkura/

#amputee #duelamputee #standup #comedy #standupcomedy #rockymarciano #boxing #worldchampion

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Michael Osborne, Great-Great-Great Grandson of Herman Melville

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Herman Melville – “Call me Ishmael,”

“It is better to fail in originality, than to succeed in imitation,”
“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men”.

Moby Dick used to be required reading in school back in the day. Is it still? The Great White Whale that haunted Captain Ahab, becoming a tale of obsession for revenge on his leg. Of course Moby Dick has a much deeper context than I am paraphrasing, so go read it.

As you can surmise I am no Herman Melville, but I do get to have a conversation with his Great-great-great Grandson today. Meet Michael Osborne, a fellow podcaster and yep, the Gx3 grandson of Mr. Melville.

While at Podfest Expo 2026 I happened to mistake Micheal for someone I had met Friday night out at the cigar get-together. When I approached and mentioned the Friday night cigar club he replied, sorry, no I’m some other bald guy.

Yet somehow we started chatting about Podfest and podcasting. When I told him about Relatively Famous he shyly said he was related to Herman Melville, but due to the lineage he assumed I would not be interested. How could I not be interested? His great-great-great grandfather wrote Moby Dick and beside, Micheal hosts a podcast called Famous & Gravy that I find extremely interesting.

Michael lives in Austin, TX and is a semi-OG in the podcasting world. He’s been at it for a while and has had several successful podcasts. He still hosts a couple besides Famous & Gravy. Oh yeah, that’s gravy as in “They’re dead”.

Heck, I’m just going to give you the bio he provided…

Michael Osborne is the award-winning host of Famous & Gravy, and a veteran podcast producer and consultant based in Austin, Texas. He’s created three independent shows, all of which led to major media partnerships. He launched his first show, Generation Anthropocene, in 2011 during his PhD studies in earth science at Stanford University. The podcast later partnered with Smithsonian Magazine. After finishing his PhD, Michael developed Raw Data, in 2015, a narrative podcast that collaborated with PRX/PRI. In 2021, he launched Famous & Gravy, a dead celebrity biography podcast that partnered with Wondery in 2024. His work has earned multiple Webby and Signal Awards, including for Famous & Gravy, Black Women of Amherst College, and Stanford’s From Our Neurons to Yours. Michael has also delivered two TEDx talks. He operates 14th Street Studios where he manages production for multiple clients, and he also leads training and workshops. His clients include brands, universities, independent producers, and mission-driven organizations.

Bio aside, we have a fantastic conversation about LIFE and other subjects. So be sure to check out this episode with Michael Osborne, the great, great, great grandson of Herman Melville!

You can also find Michael and I having a lengthy conversation on an episode of Famous & Gravy after April 2026.

Generation Anthropocene
Raw Data
Famous & Gravy

#mobydick #hermanmelville #podfest #deadcelebrities #captianahab

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Jasper Coverdale, Son of David Coverdale

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It’s 1987, MTV Whitesnake music video of David Coverdale, big flowing blond hair singing “Here I Go Again” while Tawny Kitaen vamps on the hoods of 2 Jaguar XJs… MTV and Whitesnake at its peak, that is a Rock & Roll memory of a lifetime.

Well on this episode I have an incredible conversation with Jasper Coverdale, son of David Coverdale.

When his dad announced his retirement in 2025, I saw Jasper posting on social media about how proud he was of his dad and his long music career. Make no mistake David Coverdale retired from a long successful Rock & Roll career. Google him.

So what is it like standing in the wings watching 10s of thousands of fans scream and sing along with your dad? How do you as the son choose a career and make your own path when your father is a worldwide rock star? Those were some of my thoughts and questions I had as we talked.

We connected through social media because Jasper actually responded to a DM. I say that because sooooo many people (relatives) I reach out to through social media just ignore me. Jasper and I exchanged a few messages, had a phone call and locked in a recording date. Now, BAM you’re here to hear Jasper’s story.

Jasper is an actor, he’s not just a rock star’s son calling himself an actor, and a writer, he studies and hones his craft for stage, film and tv. He takes both acting and writing very seriously. He has also had the opportunity to sing onstage with his father before 10,000 people. A feeling he cherishes to this day.

Most of all, Jasper does not take his life and the experiences he’s been able to have with a grain of salt. He is a blast to talk with, articulate, funny and ready to make his on sunshine under the Coverdale name.

https://www.instagram.com/jasper_coverdale

#deeppurple #whitesnake #tawny #davidcoverdale #rock&roll #rockandroll #hairband #tahoe

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Julie Rogers Pomilia, Granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

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We were introduced to Julie Rogers Pomilia, the granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, by past guest Cindy Mitchum Azbill, the niece of actor Robert Mitchum. It’s so cool when a guest will call a friend and tell them about the podcast and suggest they come on.

Why was I double happy about Julie coming on the podcast? One, she is a recommendation and two, I was the kid at Christmas that wanted Santa to bring me the fancy Roy Rogers cowboy outfit. It had to have either a red or blue shirt with white or black fringe, Roy Rogers gloves with fringe and RR branding, big cowboy hat and a two gun holster. I would tuck the fancy fringed pants into my shiny boots and pretend I was a famous cowboy like Roy Rogers with a horse as beautiful as Trigger. I did not however pretend to be a singing cowboy, because as my wife says, I am NOT known for my singing.

With Julie, I find talking to grandchildren a treat, because they have 2 generations of tales to tell. And Julie has some fascinating stories about the Rogers / Evans household and life with famous grandparents. She recounts many of these in her book “Your heroes My Grandparents”.

The Rogers were and still are a large close family. They are a blended family and include many adopted children. Roy and Dale were very open and advocates of special needs children because their daughter Robin was born with Down Syndrome. They did not shy away for making sure she was seen and a vibrant part of the family even though she died just shy of her 2nd birthday.

Julie has taught elementary school for over 30 years, has a talent for calligraphy, loves her palomino horses and like her grandparents, she too has a large family of her own.

We talked about the values that Roy and Dale personified not only on screen, but carried them into daily life. How the western movies went from the good guys win without killing the bad guys, to how the bad guy good guy line has blurred in western films over the years.

Julie has lived a fantastic life stepping in and out of the Hollywood spotlight. She is always doing what she can to keep Roy & Dale and the human values they exemplified relevant in a changing world. She has the joy of having had loving grandparents who made sure all the children in their lives enjoyed the ranch, the horses, the limelight and personal one on one time.

Julie, thank you for your time and amazing conversation. I am going to borrow your grandfather’s famous signature signoff – “Happy trails to you, Until we meet again. Happy trails to you, Keep smiling until then.”

https://julierogerspomilia.com

#royrogers #daleevens #trigger #palominohoreses #happytrails #westernmovies #singingcowboy #tvwesterns

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Will Neva, Nephew of Randall Morris

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Randall Morris played five seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. Like our past guest Craig Colquitt, Randall also played for The University of Tennessee.

I met Randall’s nephew Will Neva at Podfest Expo 2026 in a roundabout conversation. He was sitting there in his Chef coat (because of his podcast) waiting on his Uber while I was chatting with another potential Relatively Famous guest. During that conversation and because it was Podfest, where everyone just talks to everyone within earshot, Will heard that I was Vanna’s brother. That opened the door for him to tell us, “I’m a comedian and I just wrote some new Vanna White material.”

Will did the bit for Micheal Yonkura and I. His material was funny so jokingly I gave him the White Family seal of approval, not that he needed it, we just thought it would add to the humor of the story.

Turns out Will is the nephew of a former Seattle Seahawk and has a cool life story to tell. He’s a personal chef, a comedian, writer and podcast host. He was also part of the 1994-95 classes from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach that inspired the film “Freedom Writers” starring Hilary Swank.

In honor of the Seattle Seahawks winning the 2026 Super Bowl let’s have a conversation with Will Neva about his life and his time with his Uncle Randall Morris of the 1984-88 Seahawks.

#freedomwriters #comedian #longbeach #Podfest2026 #superbowl #seahawks #Vols #UofTennessee

https://www.tiktok.com/@friedlaughs?_r=1&_t=ZT-93ME12fylqA
https://www.instagram.com/comedian_will_nave/
https://randallmorrisfoundation.org/

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Cindy Mitchum Azbill, Niece of Robert Mitchum

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Cindy Mitchum Azbill’s uncle is the Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor, Robert Mitchum. Her dad John Mitchum, Robert’s brother, was a well-established character actor and Grammy nominated musician. Cindy kind of has the double whammy on this one.

Cindy shares stories of the bond The Mitchum Brothers shared, funny and amazing tales of their childhood. Like riding the rails (hoboing) to get to their mother in California as young teenagers. Working together on a film and how her dad John was actually in more films and tv shows than Robert.

She talks of meeting so many film and tv stars because of her dad’s prolific acting career that sometimes she didn’t even know they were famous. How her father became a Grammy Nominee and what she is doing to bring his spoken word LPs to life with film. She has an amazing list of actors wanting to participate in this project out of love and respect for the Mitchum Family.

Cindy has worked tirelessly for years to secure all the rights to the photos in her father’s memoir “Them Ornery Mitchum Boys” so that she could reprint and release the book to the public. Links to purchase can be found below the show notes.

Like so many of the conversations I have on the podcast, there is so much of her life in Hollywood that we didn’t cover, BUT the stories we did hit on and her path through life that we did cover are fascinating and truly from her heart. What a life her Uncle Bob (Robert Mitchum) and dad John lived, both as children and Hollywood Stars.

Find “Those Ornery Mitchum Boy” on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Amazon link:
https://tinyurl.com/2mkdnxs3
Barnes & Noble link:
https://tinyurl.com/yc4tj34y

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Billy Mays III, Son of Billy Mays

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Billy Mays III sets the record straight about the catchphrase “but wait there’s more” and his father, the legendary pitchman “Hi, Billy Mays here”. Heck I even used “but wait there’s more” my cold open… Find out what his famous catchphrase really was and why he used it on this episode of Relatively Famous.

Pitchman Billy Mays died way too young and at the height of his career. Billy Mays was king of sales when tv infomercials were how new products broke into the mainstream public. Pitchmen were influencers before it was a thing and Billy Mays was the mid 1990s to 2009 top salesman. He even starred in the Discovery Channel show, Pitchmen.

Billy III grew up mostly with his mom as his parents divorced when he was young. At the time his father was traveling full time doing trade shows on the road trying to build his brand and hone his salesmanship. When Billy Mays landed the gig at Home Shopping Network and started doing tv infomercials it allowed more time to get to know his son.

Billy III shares those times together, and how he began to learn so much from his dad. We talk about when he realized his dad was a pop culture icon, about how his dad was instrumental in helping him pursue music. I ask if perhaps there is a career in the footsteps of his father?

We talk about how music helped him grieve and be at peace with his father’s death and the invasive publicity surrounding his father’s death.

I discovered that it’s one thing to be the brother of an American Pop Icon, but to be the son of a Pop Culture Pitchman is another thing. So, to quote the OG infomercial pitchman and mentor of Billy’s, Ronco legend Ron Popeil, “Wait there’s more”… Oh, and check out the photo on the website of the cool Billy Mays and Infinite Third stickers Billy III sent me.

I promise you’ll be intrigued by my conversation with Billy Mays III son of Billy Mays!

https://campsite.bio/billymays

https://infinitethird.com

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Amanda Bickell, Wife of Bryan Bickell

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Growing up in South Carolina in the 60s & 70s ice hockey was not something on my radar. I can’t even remember if we had an ice rink anywhere along The Grand Strand. I did however, play roller hockey at the Crescent Beach Skating Rink almost every Sunday from 11 to 13 yrs old.

So when Philip said Bryan Bicknell’s wife Amanda wants to do the podcast I had to do some research. Chicago Blackhawk, Carolina Hurricanes & Charlotte Checkers fans forgive me, I mean after all, he is a 2 time Stanley Cup winner.

Now, his wife Amanda is a firecracker and an awesome person to have a conversation with. She has so many stories, from being raised by a single mom and girls bullying her in school, to dating Bryan in school and breaking up because of family drama. I may have to do a part 2 to cover the stories we didn’t talk about.

When she and Bryan split up, she ran off to British Columbia to pursue a wild child life, modeled in NYC at 18 and was accepted into the Stella Adlers acting school. However she had to come back to Canada to get her paperwork in order and never returned to to pursue her dreams.

Upon returning home she soon became Bryan’s wife and started living the life of a professional hockey player’s wife. They were young, he was a pro hockey player, parties were wild and crazy, life was fun. That’s when people they thought were friends took them for a lot of Bryan’s hard earned income.

Those are some of the circumstances the led to Amanda’s depression and feeling her life had no purpose. She couldn’t work in the US, the girls were young and she needed something in her life. So they started their foundation, The Bryan & Amanda Bicknell Foundation which helps rescue abused Pit Bulls. Link is below.

After the 2015 Stanley Cup win, Bryan started to not feel well and was diagnosed with MS. She said after he retired there was some dark times with Bryan’s depression and life with beginning stages of MS. She said life was tough for them during those times, so Amanda started acting again and soon wanted to venture into producing. This is when she started feeling life was good and there is a purpose. That helped lift her out of the darkness and she was able to help Bryan see some light in his life.

They bought some property and are building cottages where they will start hosting retreats for people with MS. This is a big dream and huge undertaking and that is why they are always looking for donors and underwriters.

Oh yeah, she and Bryan are also very active and proud parents of 2 beautiful daughters. And if all that is not enough to keep them busy, Amanda convinced Bryan to become part owners of the Durham Hawks Hockey Team in the NPHL league.

You’ll love Amanda Bicknell, wife of Bryan Bicknell. She is honest, raw, full of life, energy and loves her pit bull rescues.

https://www.instagram.com/abickell/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/bickellfoundation/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/bickellspoint/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/durhamhawks_nphl/?hl=en

#nhl #durhamhawks #blackhawks # icehockey #Stanleycup #pitbulls #MS

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Robert Sweet, Brother of Michael Sweet

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I was set to meet Robert for the time after a Stryper show in Charlotte, NC on May 11th, 2022 but Covid was still poking around so Meet & Greets were not happening. Well, come August 2023 I now live in San Antonio and Stryper is playing an outdoor show with Vixen as the opening act. A few texts to Michael and Perry and I’ve scored tickets and passes to hang with the band.

The night before the show I went to the hotel to pick up Perry for a night of cigars and catching up on life and Myrtle Beach memories. Before we left to go indulge, the band was in the lobby heading to dinner and stroll down the River Walk. While Perry confirmed Micheal wasn’t coming I chatted with Robert and Oz real quick. Even had a few moments again the next night at the pre-show Meet and Greet. Hard to have a full interview or really get to know someone at a band M & G.

I tell this tale because when Robert I linked up for the podcast interview it was the most he and I had ever talked. To be upfront I did interview Micheal for his episode before I chatted with Robert thus I refer back to Micheal’s episode for certain questions.

Music has always been a big part of my life and as a teen reading the LP liner notes with band bios, lyrics and song info was a must. That is how we learned about the musicians in our favorite bands. Drummers and bass players were members I liked to learn about, even though I can’t play either instrument.

Robert is an amazing drummer. I would say in the Rock & Roll world Robert is way overlooked for his talent and contributions to Rock & Roll. Perhaps because of the fact Stryper is a Christian rock band mainstream music media outlets shy away. Drumming live on stage during a Stryper concert, Robert has so much energy and style it’s difficult to stop watching to see what the rest of the band is doing. I love that he sets his kit up sideways so the audience can see him playing.

As a person who struggles with faith and religion, my conversations with Robert and Micheal were very open and thought provoking. Like Stryper polarizes rock fans I’m sure Micheal and Robert will turn away some of our listeners. Which would be sad. Both Robert and Micheal are awesome guys and have had a wild life as Rock Stars.

From the beginning, to the new Stryper Christmas album, we talk about the bands longevity, their faith, having their equipment stolen, getting to play with KISS and Metallica. Wishing they had played with Van Halen and cars, muscle cars and dream cars.

I hope you enjoy our time with Robert. For me, it was sweet (pun intended).

https://stryper.com
https://www.youtube.com/@StryperChannel
https://www.facebook.com/Stryper/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/161966015164533/
https://www.facebook.com/TheRobertSweet
https://www.patreon.com/Stryper

#robertsweet #stryper #christianmusic #christianrock #electricjesus #heavenandhelltour #jesus #christianmetal #hairband #80srock #glamrock #drummer #rockdrummer #musclecars #michaelsweet

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Michael Sweet, Brother of Robert Sweet

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There are times I struggle to get guests forgetting I actually know people and just need to look through my fogged memory. It was one of those moments when it hit me, “Dude, you know Michael and Robert Sweet, duh!”. It was around the Christmas Holiday, Stryper just released their first Christmas Album “The Greatest Gift of All” when I reached out.

Michael was game and connected me with his daughter to arrange the ZOOM and to get his brother Robert on board. I confirmed with Ellena that Michael was cool with being billed as Robert Sweet’s brother and vice versa that Robert was cool with being billed as Michael’s brother. All was cool and the schedule locked.

I first met Michael on September 15th, 2020 when myself and the other Electric Jesus producers flew up to Plymouth, MA to personally screen the film for Michael and Lisa, while the rest of Stryper simultaneously streaming it in NV & SC. We were seeking the Stryper stamp of approval on the film. We got it…

Afterwards over dinner, at his and Lisa’s favorite Italian restaurant we had a fantastic time talking with him about the film, the band and life.

Michael and I kept in touch, chatting about a Stryper documentary film they were working to get into production and shows in my local areas. I guess I should have asked about the documentary in the interview.

Eve and I have some friends in Charlotte who are Stryper fans and that is when I saw my first Stryper show. It was at Amos’ Southend in Charlotte and man I was amazed at the power of Michael’s voice, how tight the band was and Robert’s energetic drumming style. They ROCKED and still do.

Then a couple of years later we moved to San Antonio and we got to see them play again. Nothing like an outdoor rock show in San Antonio in August. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. That may the closest to Hell’s heat the band ever played. Yes, I’m being funny.

The night before the show in San Antonio, Perry Richardson and I went out and enjoyed cigars and catching up until about 1am. Michael passed to save his voice. I have also been friends with Perry’s sister Sheri back in Myrtle Beach since the late 70s. I’m working on having Sheri as a guest.

Well, I can say I had a great time talking with Michael about, music, the myth of the Heaven & Hell tour, being a Christian and how people want to bring you down rather than be lifted up. We laughed about literally arguing with people about shows that didn’t happen and that my sister doesn’t own a house on the Blvd.

We talk about the moment when he felt as a musician that the band had MADE IT… How they are still touring, recording and have out survived many Rock & Roll peers.

You know what, To Hell With The Devil, let’s get this episode started. Enjoy your time with Michael Sweet, lead singer for Stryper and brother of Robert Sweet the world famous drummer for Stryper.

https://stryper.com
https://www.youtube.com/@StryperChannel
https://www.facebook.com/Stryper/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/161966015164533/
https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet

#michaelsweet #stryper #christianmusic #christianrock #electricjesus #heavenandhelltour #jesus #christianmetal #hairband #80srock #glamrock