Talent Freaks Podcast

Vimeo and Webby Award-winning filmmaker Andy Coon continues his podcast journey with a fresh rebrand as Talent Freaks Podcast. This series revisits timeless conversations with artists, filmmakers, and changemakers, celebrating creativity, innovation, and impact. By blending past interviews with a renewed focus, Andy shines a light on the stories behind extraordinary talent and the drive to make a difference. Join us for inspiring episodes that explore the creative process, personal growth, and the human spirit.

Talent Freaks Podcast is a tv podcast hosted by Andy Coon, with 51 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Andy Coon hosts Talent Freaks Podcast, a tv show with 51 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #15

  Michael Bentt on Reinvention, Boxing, and Survival | Talent Freaks Podcast

  Jul 10, 20261h 46mS2

  Former WBO World Heavyweight Champion Michael Bentt joins Talent Freaks for a deeply personal conversation about identity, pressure, loss, reinvention, and the long road from boxing to the arts. Michael opens up about being pushed into boxing, surviving the brutal realities of the sport, and eventually finding a second life in acting, writing, and directing. We also get into the moments that shaped him most: the weight of expectations, the mental toll of fighting, what it meant to play Sonny Liston in Ali, and how storytelling became part of his healing. This episode is honest, reflective, and full of hard-earned perspective — the kind of conversation that stays with you after it ends. If you’re drawn to stories about reinvention, mental health, resilience, boxing, acting, or the hidden inner life of athletes, this episode is for you. Michael brings the kind of depth that only comes from living through something and coming out the other side changed. Follow Michael Bentt: 🌐 Website: https://michaelbentt.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichaelbentt/ 🎭 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0072715/ Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks: 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks ▶️ YouTube: @talentfreaks 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4 00:00 Talent Freaks Opening 00:21 Meet Michael Bent 01:30 Reconnecting After Years 02:41 How Andy Met Michael 04:31 Anatomy Of A Knockout 06:38 Back To School 08:17 Acting Breakthroughs 10:46 Depression And Mentors 11:47 Budd Schulberg Moment 16:08 Ali Role And Connections 23:21 Michael Mann Lessons 25:51 Sitcoms And Stage Fright 28:19 Facing Mike Tyson Era 30:28 Self Doubt And Loss 34:18 Darkest Moments And Judgment 37:00 Becoming Sonny Liston 40:20 Ali Scene And Direction 42:38 Stepping Away From Boxing Charity 44:04 Tommy Morrison And The White Hope Label 48:09 Finding Peace After Trauma 50:22 Mentors Who Changed Everything 55:03 Directing Kid Shamrock 57:59 Champion And Emile Griffith Story 01:02:32 Making Actors Look Like Fighters 01:07:46 Jazz Talk And Miles Davis Story 01:13:16 Regrets Leaving LA And Anna Deavere Smith 01:17:56 Hard Work And College Recognition 01:19:40 Dad's Childhood Wounds 01:21:16 Letting Go Through Recovery 01:22:08 Making Peace at the End 01:25:28 Dark Humor Memories 01:29:34 Forgiveness and Growth 01:30:53 Lessons From Film Legends 01:34:45 Documentary Craft and Distribution 01:36:43 AI Tools Versus Soul 01:39:09 Photography Meetups and Community 01:40:54 Career Hustle and Encouragement 01:44:14 Closing Thanks and Wrap

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  Episode #14

  How Chad Sanders Turned Movie Mistakes Into Comedy | Talent Freaks Podcast

  Jun 29, 20261h 1mS2

  Photographer, creator, and professional chaos merchant Chad Sanders joins Talent Freaks for a wildly funny conversation about calling out bad photography in movies and TV, why Hollywood keeps getting the details wrong, and how a Canon shooter with comedian energy turned frustration into a viral creative voice. Chad breaks down fake cameras, impossible lens choices, lens caps on set, and all the little mistakes that make photographers scream at the screen — but what makes this episode so much fun is how genuinely entertaining he is while doing it. We also get into his path from DJ to photographer, learning by doing, shooting for free, building confidence over time, and why personality matters just as much as technical skill. This one is equal parts smart, specific, and hilarious — the kind of conversation that makes you laugh, nod along, and immediately want to text another photographer. If you love photography, filmmaking, comedy, creative process, or just watching someone lovingly roast the industry from the inside, this episode is for you. Chad keeps it honest, sharp, and way more fun than anyone has a right to be. Follow Chad Sanders / GamePhoguns: 🎥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearshutter/ 📸 GamePhoguns: https://www.instagram.com/gamephoguns/ Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks: 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talentfreaks 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4 00:00 Opening 00:21 Meet Chad Sanders 02:01 Lens Detective Work 06:01 Fast Furious Origin 11:55 Fans Feed The Clips 13:22 From DJ To Pro 16:57 Canon Vs Sony Talk 18:44 Personality Sells Portraits 24:52 Comedy Roots Unleashed 28:39 Rants As Education 31:43 Industry Secrets Pushback 32:53 Office Horror Comedy Pitch 33:57 Editing Software Talk 35:56 Hollywood Photo Commandments 38:50 Lens Cap Rage 40:09 Behind the Scenes Rush 42:23 Where He Films the Rants 44:54 Going Full Blast On Camera 47:30 Other Nerd Rants GTA Marvel 51:06 Photographer Community Love 53:41 Trolls and Petty Payback 55:50 Monetizing Without Selling Out 57:05 Sponsors and Brand Reactions 58:28 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

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  Episode #13

  Elizabeth Kealoha: AI Filmmaking, Community & Creative Careers | Talent Freaks Podcast

  Jun 19, 20261h 13mS2

  TV executive and creative innovator Elizabeth Kealoha joins Talent Freaks to discuss leading the Altura Festival — a generative AI film festival and summit in Atlanta — and how she's building an ecosystem where filmmakers, technologists, and entrepreneurs can tell stories using emerging tools. Elizabeth shares how two decades in television, from set PA to Executive VP of Original Programming, led her to a pivotal bet on generative AI after watching ChatGPT's earliest days. She breaks down how AI is collapsing the traditional production pipeline, why narrative spine still separates great storytelling from AI slop, and how independent creators can build sustainable careers with tools once reserved for studios. She also opens up about burning out before the pandemic, going back to school for her executive MBA, and why she believes this is the most important moment in history to be a creator. If you're interested in AI filmmaking, creative entrepreneurship, television, media strategy, or the future of storytelling, this conversation is for you. Follow Elizabeth Kealoha's work: 🎬 Altera Festival: https://www.alterafestival.com/ 🏢 Myelin Pictures: https://www.myelinpictures.com/ Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks: 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks ▶️ YouTube: / @talentfreaks 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4 Chapters 00:22 Meet Elizabeth Kaloha 02:47 Alterra Festival Origins 04:16 Summit Tracks and Audience 06:42 Story First Not Slop 10:00 Sponsors and Tool Platforms 12:16 Film Length and Distribution 14:53 Empowering Writers Visions 21:47 Models Over Tools 27:47 Deadlines and Real Clients 29:57 From TV Exec to AI 36:30 ChatGPT Spark and Immersion 39:37 Independent Era Building Fast 41:52 Altera Meetup Origins 43:03 Why ATDC Matters 46:39 Meetup Format Speakers 48:22 Hands On Creation 49:31 Community Impact Wins 51:08 Founders Backgrounds 53:52 Scaling Beyond Atlanta 56:04 Trust Real Life Community 01:00:05 Hardest Part Bottleneck 01:03:44 Favorite Part Empowerment 01:06:54 Whats Next AR Festival 01:09:42 Where To Follow Advice 01:12:27 Closing Thanks Outro

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  Episode #12

  Daniel Everitt-Lock on Making a Powerful Nuclear Documentary

  May 12, 20261h 10mS2

  British documentary filmmaker and award-winning cinematographer Daniel Everitt-Lock joins Talent Freaks to discuss directing the 2026 feature Our Planet, The People, My Blood, centered on nuclear veterans advocate Alan Owen’s fight against the UK Ministry of Defence for justice and compensation while connecting impacted communities across four continents. Daniel shares how a short film about nuclear weapons tests sparked the project, why he expanded the story beyond test veterans to include downwinders, uranium miners, Marshallese communities, and Hiroshima/Nagasaki survivors, and how governments place the burden of proof on victims. He breaks down the realities of making a global, shoestring documentary—traveling 150,000 km, interviewing 50 people, self-editing after losing an editor, and managing 100+ TB of footage—plus the film’s May 14 UK theatrical release, social strategy, educational use, and plans to give footage to Lab Rats. If you’re interested in documentary filmmaking, cinematography, activism, or powerful human stories, this conversation is for you. Episode 12 of Talent Freaks. Follow Daniel Everitt-Lock's work: Website: https://everlockproductions.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everittlock/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everlockproductions/ Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks: 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks ▶️ YouTube: / @talentfreaks 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4 00:00 Trailer | Our Planet, The People, My Blood 01:45 Meet The Filmmaker 03:18 Origin Of The Story 06:40 Shoestring Global Production 09:08 Research And Interview Style 13:39 From Veterans To Global Chain 16:25 Cut Threads And Credibility 19:51 Activism And Extra Footage 26:26 Distribution And Social Push 28:37 Government Side And Hanford 37:31 Editing The Feature Alone 39:49 Editing Marathon Lessons 40:29 Finding the Narrative Thread 42:17 Next Projects and Creative Balance 43:44 Parliament Screening Impact 44:30 Festival Rejections Reality 45:23 DIY Theatrical Release 49:10 Why Nuclear Stories Sell 50:49 Desert Screening Ideas 52:36 Origin Story as Filmmaker 57:15 Cinematography Joy and Craft 01:02:26 Hardest Parts and Setbacks 01:05:10 Release Plans and Call to Action 01:09:04 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

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  Episode #11

  EP11: Troy Booker - Pilot & Portrait Master | Talent Freaks Podcast

  May 4, 20261h 3mS2

  Troy Booker (Intsagram @troybflying_photography) has charted a rare path: childhood dreams of flight realized as a Navy aviator and Dreamliner captain, intertwined with a mastery of portraiture that has earned him acclaim on Instagram and among models worldwide. In the rugged expanse of California's Eastern Sierras, amid @davidherring 's photo meetup, he opens up on Talent Freaks about orchestrating his pilot schedule for expansive creative blocks, forging deep bonds with models who intuit light and mood, and capturing fellow aviators' stories—like the retiring Marine general coaxed into his captain's hat for a portrait of quiet command. His work spans studios and streets to Burning Man's radical wilds, where caution yields to inspiration; aviation's unyielding structure fuels photography's deliberate deviations—black-and-white visions prioritizing negative space, shadow play, and the poetry of "distractions." Genuine, generous, and intellectually alive, Troy embodies the down-to-earth pursuit of intertwined passions, amassing skill through global travels and unfiltered human connection. For admirers of disciplined artistry and lived dreams, this is an intimate portrait of a life in balance. Connect with Troy: Website: https://troybflying.com Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/troybflying/ Instagram (Photography): https://www.instagram.com/troybflying_photography/ Connect with Host Andy and Talent Freaks: 🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/ 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks ▶️ YouTube: / @talentfreaks 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4 If you're a filmmaker or organization interested in donating gear or supporting this cause, reach out to me to coordinate. Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help these vital stories reach the world! 00:00 Creative Freedom Intro 00:44 Meetup Setup Pivot 02:03 Meet Troy Booker 02:46 Pilot Life Meets Art 05:10 From Top Gun to Portraits 06:39 First Model and Mentors 09:14 Beauty in Abandoned Places 12:15 Learning Vision and Style 14:27 Finding Style vs Experimenting 17:27 Why Black and White 20:23 Editing and Imperfections 27:22 Choosing the Right Models 31:02 Photographing Real People Stories 35:19 Trust Behind the Lens 36:12 Camper Van Meetup Setup 37:26 Burning Man Origins 41:11 Surviving the Dust Gear 42:04 Ethics of Burning Photos 43:19 Military Meets Creativity 45:37 Instagram Without Strategy 46:56 Printing and Photo Books 48:29 Why New York Works 49:11 Top Travel Photo Spots 51:09 Ukraine and Human Connection 53:15 Balancing Pilot and Artist 56:38 Gadgets and Favorite Moments 01:00:03 Where to Find Troy 01:01:46 Closing Thanks and Outro

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