Can disinformation really take down a democracy from the inside? This week’s guest, Barbara McQuade, thinks so — and she’s here to show us exactly how it’s happening and what we can do about it.

Barbara is a former U.S. Attorney, a law professor, an MSNBC legal analyst and the author of Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America, now out in paperback.

We begin with breaking news that could directly affect our political landscape. A big chunk of the MAGA faithful are suddenly side-eyeing Trump over his failure to drop the long-promised Epstein file (does the public have a right to see it? Barbara has thoughts). She breaks down how our American system relies on the good faith of three branches — and what happens when any one of them stops playing by the rules.

Barbara explains the Squid Strategy: imagine a squid firing ink at a predator to obfuscate and slip away: that’s Trump making wild statements to change the subject when the heat is on. We talk about the liar’s dividend, that neat trick where so much fake news is swirling that important facts get waved away.

She pulls back the curtain on how Trump built the coalition that resulted in the Big Harmful Bill. It consists of: a working-class MAGA base, the evangelical right, and billionaires. Trump does the bidding of big business while kissing up to Christian Extremists and feeding his base conspiracy theories that keep them eating their rage right out of his hand.

Barbara does find hope in history: other countries have seen strongmen rise and fall when the promises ran dry and the citizens remained vigilant. She gives us her best advice for cracking Trump’s hold on friends and family (it involves empathetic listening, not doomscrolling).

We also get into Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — mend it, don’t end it — and why unregulated social media is the Wild West. We talk spon-con, paywalls, knowledge gaps, and how your news feed might be failing you.

A cautionary tale, a civics lesson, and a pep talk all rolled into one, strap in, there’s still time to fight the ink cloud!

In recommendations--

Weezy: The series Outrageous on Britbox

Fritz: Apple TV+ Documentary, Bono: Stories of Surrender

Path Points of Interest:

Barbara McQuade

Attack From Within by Barbara McQuade

Sisters-In-Law Podcast
with Barbara McQuade, Jill Wine Banks, Joyce Vance and Kimberly Atkins Stohr

Barbara McQuade on Wikipedia

Barbara McQuade on Instagram

Barbara McQuade on X

Outrageous on Britbox

Bono: Stories of Surrender on Apple TV+

Carol Leifer entered comedy when a woman stand-up was considered a novelty or a niche, but even then she knew "things would eventually change." And change has come, due in no small part to Carol's own stelar show biz contributions.

Carol joins us this week to talk about her formative years, her early standup, giving voice to iconic characters like Elaine Benes and Deborah Vance, and her new book, How to Write a Funny Speech!

Carol's relationship with her father, an optometrist with an ear for comedy and a quick wit that delighted both patients and family, laid the foundation for her career trajectory. Her supportive parents encouraged her to pursue stand-up when the opportunity struck, and very soon, she was right at home at The Improv and on The Tonight Show.

Even within the male-dominated comedy space, Carol found herself buoyed by peers and colleagues, in the clubs and on the sets of seminal sitcoms such as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Carol’s Seinfeld contributions tapped into women’s lived experiences and brought us the skinny mirror, the marble rye and the nail salon, but she reveals which of Elaine's iconic storylines was not her brainchild - 'sponge-worthy' was actually coined by male writer, Peter Mehlman!

Enjoy an exciting spin on your favorite podcast showbiz trivia game as we invite Carol to play IMDB Roulette: Writer's Edition, where she dives into the intricacies of writing for: Seinfeld, Curb, Hacks, SNL and Ellen, plus traveling the globe with Henry Winkler, George Foreman, Terry Bradshaw and William Shatner! (She now calls him Bill.)

Carol also shares her SNL writing regrets. (If she could only have gotten in better with Lorne.) We talk about her latest runaway hit book How To Write a Funny Speech and close the show with Fritz's favorite new Carol Leifer joke!

In recommendations --

Weezy: The HBO original, My Mom Jayne: A Film By Mariska Hargitay

Fritz: Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel

Carol Leifer

How To Write A Funny Speech: for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place by Carol Leifer and Rick Mitchell

Carol Leifer on Wiki

Carol Leifer on Instagram

Carol Leifer on Facebook

Carol Leifer Amazon Author Page

My Mom Jayne from Mariska Hargitay

Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel

Media Path Podcast

Media Path on Buy Me a Coffee

Our guests exemplify the power of passion, mastery and skill blending in creating a lasting legacy. We begin with the co-authors of The Creative Leader: What Every Leader Should Know About The Art & Science of Creative Intelligence. Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter share how we can all better merge and apply our left and right brain thinking. We then welcome a 70s sensation who walks into the studio with the show-and-tell masterpiece that is his authentic Nudie Suit, Bo Donaldson!

For their book, The Creative Leader, Bob Boden and Dr. Rob Carpenter interviewed top entertainment industry figures who impart critical insight on how to seamlessly and effectively combine imagination with management, while motivating a team to reach its fullest potential.

Bob and Dr. Rob share the wisdom of producers, Jonathan Murray, Stephanie Drachkovitch, Lloyd Schwartz and more, learning that whatever your field, curiosity, innovation, and optimism are keys to success.

Cincinnati’s own Bo Donaldson began his music career, mastering the trumpet in fourth grade. He formed The Heywoods at 14, and they were opening for The Rascals, Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Osmonds by the time he was in college.

Bo's career was managed by his business-savvy mom, who ran her own record label and was the driving force behind the band's biggest hit Billy-Don't Be a Hero. Bo tells us how that chart-topping single carved a path to stardom for his band and he shares his '70s teen idol memories, including lessons learned from Mark Lindsey, Donny Osmond and Dick Clark.

Brace yourself for shady music industry lore as Bo recalls how the VP of his record label threatened his Mom and him with a mob hit, inspiring Bo to heed the lyrics of his own song and keep his head low.

Bo shares news about The Heywood’s latest recordings and explains how he shapes his band’s sound. We also learn how to set sea with The Heywoods and a boat full of your favorite artists on a 70s Rock and Romance Cruise! Plus, how well does Bo remember what he confessed to the Teen Magazines!? We play a round of Fan Mag Grab Bag!

In recommendations--

Fritz: Netflix Series, Department Q

Weezy, Apple TV+ Series, The Buccaneers

Path Points of Interest:

The Creative Leader by Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter

Bob Boden

Bob Boden on IG

Dr. Rob Carpenter Amazon Author Page

Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods

Bo Donaldson on Wikipedia

Bo Donaldson on Instagram

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Fan Site

Bo Donaldson on Facebook

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Facebook Group

Rock and Romance cruise 2026

Magic by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods

Bubble Gum Mania at Riviera Theatre

Department Q on Netflix

The Buccaneers on Apple TV+

Can your keyboard produce enough hyphens to define Hal Sparks? He is a Comedian-Actor-Musician-Magician-Podcaster-Political Commentator-TV and Radio Personality-Host-Podcast Guest, and beyond. We are hoping his mother keeps a scrapbook.

Hal has brought us such memorable characters as “Zoltan” in Dude, Where’s My Car, “Elevator Passenger” in Spiderman 2, Michael in Queer as Folk and he proved too much of an improv master for Talk Soup to contain, which freed him up to host his own podcast empire, to tour with his band, Nerd Halen and with the Sexy Liberals Comedy Show and to guest with us on Media Path Podcast.

Hal began sharing his wickedly sharp political observations on video platforms during the pandemic’s early days. He had just left China and lost dozens of friends to Covid. He fully understood the impending danger and devastation. So he hunkered and bunkered and began fact-checking Trump live on Youtube and Twitch. An outlet that released tension for himself and for his politically informed and engaged audience. He calls them “Sparklers!”

Hal’s show, Megaworldwide streams daily on his website infotainmentwars.com. Here, he reacts in real time to breaking news and the current political landscape. Hal's strong belief in the power of the electorate to enact real change inspires his work and he endeavors to be a part of the conversation shaping the narrative of the Democratic party.

We ask Hal to tackle today's top headlines, the targeted attacks on Iran's nuclear missile sites ordered by Trump and the schism it's causing within the MAGA movement, as exemplified by prominent figures who find themselves at odds on the issue, like Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson.

We also discuss how traumatic childhoods and a lack of empathy underpin the mindset of the current administration. We follow the money that funds right wing influencers. We explore Elon Musk's technocratic family legacy. And we are front and center for the latest from Hal’s comedy cover band, Nerd Halen. Then, we take a tour through Hal's scene-stealing film and TV moments with a round of IMDB Roulette which includes Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and, of course, Dude, Where’s My Car!

In recommendations--

Fritz: History Channel series, Kevin Costner's The West

Weezy: HBO Max documentary, Surviving Ohio State

Path Points of Interest:

Hal Sparks

InfotainmentWars

Hal Sparks on Instagram

Hal Sparks on Facebook

Hal Sparks on Bluesky

Hal Sparks on Youtube

Hal Sparks on Wiki

Nerd Halen

The West - History Channel

Surviving Ohio State

You may know Kathy Garver from Family Affair but her career before and since “Cissy” is expansive! She is still extraordinarily prolific with a calendar full of film dates, audio book recordings, and event appearances!

Kathy began’ singing and dancing at age three and had already racked up 12 screen credits when she was cast as an extra in The Ten Commandments. From high atop his director crane, Cecile B. DeMille spotted her carrying a lamb and jumped down to write her a larger role as “Rachel the Slave Girl,” a part that brought her face to face with Charlton Heston as he parted The Red Sea!

At age 20, she was whisked from her UCLA sorority house to a sitcom set when she landed the role of big-sister “Cissy Davis” in one of CBS’s first color shows, Family Affair!

Kathy tells us how her mother employed Streaks N' Tips to match her dark locks to those of her TV siblings. The resulting greenish hue did not detract Ed Hartmann from casting the perfect sibling for Buffy and Jody.

Kathy shares her thoughts on why her younger co-stars struggled to adjust into their adult lives. She credits her smooth transition to her supportive family and spending her high school years in San Bernardino, away from the judgement of Hollywood.

In IMDB Roulette, Kathy talks about sharing credits with Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Kurt Russell, Chuck Connors, Patty Duke, Julie Andrews and Andy Griffith.

Kathy has amassed an impressive body of voice work, which includes playing Firestar in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. She has also mastered the craft of audio-book narration with her most recent work being, Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story, coming in July.

We hear about Kathy’s, many books, her slew of upcoming projects and appearances, her unrelenting optimism and her belief in the 'divine threads' of people and events which are creating the fabric of her life.

In recommendations--

Weezy: HBO Max Documentary, Pee Wee As Himself

Fritz: Netflix Series, American Manhunt - Osama Bin Laden

Path Points of Interest:

Kathy Garver

Kathy Garver - Wiki

Kathy Garver - IMDB

Kathy Garver - Instagram

Kathy Garver on Facebook

Kathy Garver Facebook Fan Page

Kathy Garver's Photos and Books

Kathy's Jun/July 2025 Newsletter

Whittier Comic Con on June 22

Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story Audiobook

Gus

Pee Wee As Himself

American Manhunt - Osama Bin Laden

You may know him best as the voice of Salem The Cat or Norbert from Sabrina The Teenage Witch and Angry Beavers but Nick Bakay is also the Writer/Producer who brought you Mom, King Of Queens, Paul Blart Mall Cop and Bookie. What does it take to sustain a multi-decade entertainment industry career? Versatility.

Nick takes us deep into Sabrina lore with tales of the old-school imagineering of Salem Saberhagen, brought to us via several cats, puppeteers, animatronics, trainers and cat treats.

A Buffalo, NY native, Nick’s facility at performing, writing, and producing allowed him to create opportunities for himself that were both entertaining and rewarding. He’s heard from a generation of young women who felt empowered by Sabrina to take on adult life, even without the benefit of witchcraft.

Along with his pal Keven James, Nick went from writing on King Of Queens to creating Paul Blart: Mall Cops One and Two, and Zookeeper. And it was his writing chops that forged a connection with Chuck Lorre, providing Nick with an opportunity to write for Two And A Half Men and go on to helm nine seasons of Mom, HBO’s Bookie and an upcoming Netflix sitcom, Leanne.

Nick is also a household name to sports fan who see his work on ESPN. He was recently inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall Of Fame and, a Quick Buffalo Indulgence Warning: Nick and Weezy do get a little carried away waxing sentimental about their shared Buffalo roots.

Fritz is using one of his sick days and his seat is kept warm by Weezy’s radio buddies, Tom Murphy and Scott Paton. (They did occupy separate chairs, but you get the idea.)

In recommendations--

Weezy: Sirens on Netflix

Nick Bakay: Mr. Inbetween on FX and Hulu

Path Points of Interest:

Sirens

Mr. Inbetween

Nick Bakay - Wiki

Nick Bakay - IMDB

Sabrina The Teenage Witch

The Angry Beavers

Bookie

Mom

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 1

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2

Salem Saberhagen

World Famous Tom Murphy

He has entertained tens of millions of people over the course of four decades with iconic film and TV appearances, yet he remains humble and modest - He is Mystic Pizza, Falcon Crest and Perry Mason (to name a few!) actor, William R. Moses!

His Mom, Marian McCargo and big brothers, Rick and Harry Moses were in the business and, although his step-dad, Congressman, Alphonso E. Bell did not entirely approve, Billy, a high school and college athlete found himself pulled towards acting. A typical Take-Your-Kid-To-Work day found young Billy on the set with Leonard Nimoy, Fess Parker and John Wayne! Or on Capitol Hill with Ted Kennedy, Gerry Ford and Bob Dole. Ample inspiration to dream big!

Billy’s resume includes the iconic prime time soaps Falcon Crest and Melrose Place, the role of Marc Christian, Rock Hudson's boyfriend, in a groundbreaking film about the legendary Hollywood and LGBTQ history figure, and he has the distinct honor of sharing his feature film debut, in the movie Choices, with fellow newby, Demi Moore!

As attorney and P.I. Ken Malansky in NBC's Perry Mason TV film series, Billy worked closely with Raymond Burr and, as it turns out, our own Fritz Coleman who guest starred on an episode entitled, The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host.

From a Mystery Cruise Ship with the Olsen twins to Perry Mason’s Colorado courtroom, to the magical setting of Mystic, Connecticut, to his first Negroni on The Love Boat set with Eddie Albert to valiantly attempting to keep Viola Davis from Getting Away With Murder, Billy’s stories provide a front row seat to the show biz of the glorious final few decades of the 20th century and journeying on into the aughts and beyond.

In recommendations--

Weezy: The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

Fritz: Mobland on Paramount+

Path Points of Interest:

William R. Moses on Wiki

William R. Moses on IMDB

Perry Mason TV Movies

Mystic Pizza

Mystic Pizza Restaurant

Mobland - Paramount+

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

The Case of the Telltale Talkshow Host

Media Path Podcast

It's a return trip down the Media Path for Vicki and John and this time Bob is along for fun, games and Cowsill family lore!

We welcome back Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill, who recently joined us to talk about their collaboration on a new album of songs written by John's late brothers, Billy and Barry Cowsill, 'Long After the Fire', plus fellow founding Cowsills member, Bob Cowsill joins the conversation.

We start at the dawn of Vicki’s Cowsills journey, as a fan who became a friend who became a spouse. A seven-year-old, Vicki’s big sister Debbi said, “You know, there’s a girl your age in this band.” Vicki was instantly sold and she spent her allowance savings on the We Can Fly album.

In 1977, when Vicki learned that a friend of a friend knew Bob’s Cowsill, Vicki gave him a call to talk vocal harmonies. Vicki and Debbi were still bubbling under as The Bangs and they went to see The Cowsills perform at a local club. Just a few years later, Bob found himself invited to The Bangles Platinum party and John recounts his meet-cute with Vicki, right before his marriage to someone else!

We test the Cowsill/Peterson crew on self-knowledge with a game we like to call 'Are You Better Informed Than Google?', Vicki and John share what took them two married decades to work together and Bob gives his perspective on John and Vicki's new album of Billy and Barry Cowsill covers.

Bob and John share how their generational split affected their musical influences and experiences within the band and we hear about the earliest days of the Cowsills, their father Bud's early clash with brother Richard, performing at Brown frat parties as young kids and their first demo song recordings. And the games continue as everyone takes on some Cowsills Trivia Roulette from Becky Presley's
Cowsills site!

In recommendations--

Fritz: Book, Miss May Does Not Exist by Carrie Courogen

Weezy: Hulu Series, Devil in the Family

Path Points of Interest:

The Cowsills

Becky Presley’s Cowsills Page

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill

Vicki and John on Instagram

Vicki and John on Facebook

John Cowsill

John Cowsill on Facebook

John Cowsill on Instagram

John Cowsill on Wiki

Vicki Peterson on Wiki

The Bangles

Vicki Peterson on Facebook

Becky Presley Trivia

Miss May Does Not Exist: The Live And Work Of Elaine May, Hollywood's Hidden Genius by Carrie Courogen

Devil in the Family