Citywide Blackout

DB Stewart has been songwriting since he got his first guitar at age 12, started volunteering at local shows at 14 and started his first band at 15. Today, he’s got a new single called “Love is Funny,” and the story behind it is amazing!

We talk all about this, the folks he worked with and some unexpected surprises that happened. Back in April, DB released, “Take to the Streets,” a call to action inspired by the events of 2024. He also shares his take on the role that artists can play when it comes to speaking out about what matters to them.

Closing out this interview is “Take to the Streets,” and the message is a powerful one.

Like what you heard? Check out more at https://www.dbstewart.com.

In the third part of our interview series with Mikel Wisler, we dive into the business of writing books and making movies. Mikel’s been doing this for awhile and there’s a lot to learn, especially for those just jumping in.

Mikel and Max talk first steps for film and books, going from the idea stage to seeing your concept come to life. Mikel shares some mistakes to avoid and gives his take on the indie film industry in 2026. We also go over some insights into the many ways you can take your passion project and make it your new job.

Visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more.

Episode 1– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-returns-ai-and-human-trafficking-combine-in-proxy/

Episode 2– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-talks-time-travel-thrillers-in-stop/

We hope you enjoyed our last episode with filmmaker and novelist Mikel Wisler, because that was just the beginning. In this episode, we talk about his recently-released time thriller, “Stop.” Here’s a look at what’s in store:

When Jake Howell returns to his childhood home after his mother's death, he finds a trove of his late father's research into six locations in rural Maine where time parts ways with our conventional understanding of physics. Among the notebooks and reels of 16mm film his father used to document in work is a twenty-year-old reel of film that Jake was never supposed to see.

On the film: Jake—as he is now—attacking his own father the day he vanished. 

Determined to uncover the truth, Jake inadvertently draws the attention of local police. Now Jake must prove his innocence while trying to understand this radical breakthrough in physics. The deeper he goes, the more the real question surfaces: if the past is real and observable, can it be changed? And if it can, should it be?

Mikel and I are a couple science nerds and we dive into the time travel that is used here and how it came to be. Mikel talks about the creation of Jake Howell and the paradox he finds himself stuck in. We also share how Mikel approaches the “big questions” and what has come from this exploration.

Check out the last episode at https://tinyurl.com/ad7evynu.

There’s more to come, so be sure to keep it here for Part 3, and visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more! 

Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Mullane recently released his new five-song EP, “The Road,” a collection of music inspired in part from his trips to Nashville. Jon joins the show to talk all about that journey and the amazing artists he worked with, including Michael Delaney and Michael Jay.

Jon also talks about his growth as an artist, in part from his many years working with musician and producer Creighton Doane. He shares some insight into starting out as a musician and how to overcome the many obstacles that come up.

Closing out the interview is “Remember in November,” one of the tracks from “The Road.”

And if you want to see more, visit www.jonmullane.com.

For longtime fans, Mikel Wisler is a real blast from the past. He was last on the show in 2019 and this time, we talked for so long, we decided to release it in three parts!

This interview focuses on his soon-to-be-released short sci-fi thriller “Proxy,” released through Elzaon Films and debuting at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival on Aug. 8.  Here’s a look at the story:

“When an AI companion discovers that the woman whose body she now occupies is a victim of human trafficking, she fights to free the body surrogate before the man she was programmed to love destroys them both.”

Mikel talks about the origins of the short film, which is being released as a proof-of-concept for a full-length feature. He shares his experience working with the cast and how they all adapted to their roles. We also shine a light on Diana Porter, who Mikel worked with as a co-writer and co-director for the film.

There’s a lot more to come, so be sure to keep it here for Parts 2 and 3, and visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more! 

Catherine Marshall-Smith (author of "American Family") recently released her second novel, “The Resilience of Red Thread” (She Writes Press), which follows a young mother fighting to save herself when her would-be rescuer proves to be as dangerous as the man she escaped.

We talk about what first inspired the book, and how a lengthy period of research led to a significant re-write. Catherine shares the creation of Emily, Lee and Jake and how an abusive husband and would-be-rescuer have more in common than you might think.

On July 26, Catherine had her big debut party and offers some tips for those about host their own launch party and really connect with the audience.

Want to know more? Visit https://catherinemarshallsmith.com.

Kicking off a new musical venture has a lot of steps, and in this episode, we talk with Seattle/Tacoma artists Jody Ellen and Tara Chugh of the band The Sirens about some of the key first parts in the process. We also go into the different ways to grow this into a career, and how you balance the various aspects that can make it up.

Jody and Tara share the story behind the band’s recent single, “Reverberations” and the themes found within the notes. They talk about how they first met and what happened to kick off this collaboration. We also get a sneak peek at a soon-to-be-released single later this summer.

“Reverberations” wraps up this interview, and we hope you check out their other releases.

Want to know more? Check out http://thesirensband.com/. Photo Credit: Skye Warden

A longtime veteran of the music industry, Linda Viens of Girl With A Hawk joins me to talk about the band’s debut album, “Regenesis,” which was released back in June. Linda talked about how it felt to put out the album, done through Rum Bar Records. We also go into the sound of the album, as well as some of the songs and what they mean to her.

Part of the album reflects on a life lived in bands, and Linda share some stories of her many years in music and how she and the band distilled those memories into “Regenesis.” There’s also a bit of a trip down memory lane to our past years in the local music scene, including that time she was putting up flyers…you gotta hear this!

Linda also shares some advice for those about to embark on their own music debut journey, and how to get their message out for everyone to hear.

Wrapping this up is "Share It All" from the debut album.

Check out more at https://girlwithahawk.bandcamp.com/.

To say that Cleve Sylcox is an experienced writer is putting it mildly. Over the years, he’s penned 42 books, ranging from poetry to science fiction to mystery thrillers, and will soon release “The Weight of Nothing,” a collection of short stories on the topic of, well…nothingness.

In this episode, Cleve and I talk about how he got his start as a writer and his early years learning the craft and the people who helped him. He goes into the story behind the story of “The Weight of Nothing” and the many tales contained within.

We also talk a little business, and Cleve talks about the realities of making writing into a paying career and some ways to make it happen. He shares some tips on promotion and what keeps him going after all these years.

Want to learn more? Visit www.clevesbooks.org for much more, and big thanks to Jeff Royds for making this happen!

Turning writing from something you do after work to a full-time job can be a long and difficult journey, and in this episode, author Staci Lynn Wilson shares some insight into how fellow writers can make this happen. She also talks promotion options and the benefits of working with an editor or book group.

Staci has a new book out now called “Murder in the House of Mirrors” through Crystal Lake Publishing. Here’s a look at the story:

In the late 1970s, Los Angeles is gripped by terror as a shadowy figure known as The Looking Glass Killer unleashes a wave of brutal and enigmatic murders. Leaving antique hand mirrors with each victim, this relentless predator pursues a dark and twisted agenda, evading capture at every turn.

Staci goes into the origin of the book and how it ties into her own upbringing, as well as creating a new world of serial killers.

Get your own copy of the new book and her other titles at https://www.stacilaynewilson.com.