Napoleon Dynamite: The Making of a Cult Classic

Today on Eyewitness History I have the privilege of sharing an interview with Comedian, Writer, Director, Producer and the creator of my favorite Sitcom, Brent Butt! In addition to creating "Corner Gas" which is the number one Canadian Sitcom in history, he continues to produce content that has uncharacteristic staying power and an international audience. This has uniquely positioned him to understand the role of entertainment in culture as well as the responsibility (and whether or not there really is one) for those who have large platforms. This was a great conversation that entertains and informs while motivating you to stream another episode of "Corner Gas." For more information about Brent visit: www.brentbutt.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about a movie as a "Cult Classic", what exactly does that mean? And,  how do movies shape the culture in which we live? In todays episode of Eyewitness History, I have the privilege of speaking with Producer and Editor Jeremy Coon who was one of the major influences in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. We talk about how the movie was made, and what causes a rare few movies to transcend generations and become a Cult Classic. To learn more about Jeremy Coon visit: https://september.club/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the most dangerous country in the world become one of the safest? How can a country that has endured civil war, extreme poverty, and mass exodus of it's citizens become a model for other broken nations around the world? How can a President who barely qualified to run for his first term win his second with over 85% of the vote? These are the questions we ask and hope to answer on todays episode of Eyewitness History!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As scientists, politicians, and journalists look back and try to understand the real impact of Covid on our society, one group that has not gotten much attention is that group of young people who were going to college as the world grappled with exactly how we should handle this crisis. After spending years preparing for an education that would set them up for a career, many college students found themselves uncertain about their education let alone their future. How did they navigate these times and what impact did all of this have on not only education but how they would work "post covid?" Today, I have the privilege of interviewing my daughter Maggie who was a college student during the Covid years and now works in an environment that reflects how the pandemic changed the way we learn and communicate. There are so many lessons to be learned as we reflect on these years and I hope that by having conversations like this one we can learn and better understand how to move forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it like to be a part of one of the first teams to respond to the Los Angeles riots in 1992? When everything had finally ended the riots saw innocent people injured, a number killed, and over One Billion Dollars of property damage. What was it like to be one of the many responsible with bringing law and order back to such a chaotic scene?  My Guest today is retired Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy Danny Coon. With more than 31 years working in the county of Los Angeles Danny saw quite a few things happen. Working the riots, though, where the highlight of his career. As he explains why the riots happened and how various agencies responded, Danny goes into detail about what it takes to end an event that brought a city and region to a standstill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For those that watched the non-stop news footage of the first Gulf War (1991), it is easy to think that this was a war fought entirely from the air. In fact, this is considered to be one of the most successful uses of military aircraft in history. But what about the warriors on the ground? What was it like to cross the open desert on foot and engage with a dug in enemy?  My guest today is retired Marine Corps Lt. Col, John Foldberg. John had a long and distinguished career in the Marine Corps that included leading a Marine infantry company to a an engagement with the Iraqi Army as Desert Storm was just beginning. This story brings out the human side of a major military operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it like to be a first responder at the World Trade Center following the events of 9/11? Most of us remember where we were when we first heard about the planes crashing into those buildings, but we may not know the stories of the men and women who rushed in to help. My guest today is one of the men who responded to rescue the survivors trapped under those collapsed buildings. Dusty Shellhammer is a lifelong first responder and was a member of the National Crisis Response team called into action on 9/11. This incredible story reminds us of the courage, dedication, and unity of all who stepped up to help during one of our nations greatest tragedies.    Hear More 9/11 Stories:  World Trade Center Survivor Brian Branco: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Survivor & Activist Anne-Marie Principe: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Firefighter Michael O'Connell: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Police Officer Tom Wilson: Apple Podcasts / Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a new beginning of sorts. Don't worry, we will still be interviewing men and women who experienced the events that have changed our lives. The "new" part is the host! For those that have listened to the show in the past, Josh Cohen has moved on and I will be guiding our conversations. My name is Jeremy Stalnecker and I am looking forward to getting to know you as we as we bring these incredible stories to light. This episode will give you some of my background as well as a preview into coming episodes. Thank you for listening and I look forward to sharing "Eyewitness History" with you.   Learn About Me: www.jeremystalnecker.com  Subscribe to My Second Podcast About Self-Improvement, March or Die, on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!  Learn About My Military Experience By Hearing My Interview with Josh Cohen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Discover More History Podcasts: https://www.parthenonpodcast.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode we examine the intersection of books and war as we sit down with esteemed historian Andrew Pettegree. We discuss his groundbreaking work, 'THE BOOK AT WAR: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading,'Pettegree challenges the notion that books and warfare exist in separate realms. Instead, he explores their intricate relationship throughout history, revealing the profound impact of words on the battlefield.From providing solace to troops during World War II to acting as agents of warfare, books play a multifaceted role in shaping societies during times of conflict.Our guest, Andrew Pettegree, a distinguished professor of modern history at the University of St. Andrews, brings his expertise to unravel the complex and often ambivalent dynamics between books and war.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Bonsall was captured and imprisoned by the Germans three months after landing in the second wave at Normandy during World War II. Bonsall later escaped to Poland and ultimately competed on the 1948 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team. Forty years later, he recorded his life experiences in a series of audio tapes that cover the decade between 1940 and 1950. THE VIOLENT YEARS, a nonfiction novel, is a creative account of Bill Bonsall’s transition from an impoverished urban neighborhood “hoodlum” during the Great Depression, to a scrappy 20-year-old dodging German bullets. The tale then follows his transformation from a passionate poet, wooing, losing, and regaining the love of his life, and rising to the epitome of athleticism and elegance as an Olympic gymnast—all in the span of a single decade!Here, his daughter tells his story!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.