Brain Burrow: Digging Deep into Psychology and Horror

Todd Braley: Stop Sugar Coating (Ep 42)

Do you have a tendency to sugar coat?   Are you afraid to use radical candor? In this candid Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director and producer Todd Braley talks about his experiences giving radical candor to friends, colleagues, and family members.   He has a purposeful strategy that combines "caring deeply" and "challenging directly." During the podcast interview, Todd shares, "If you want sugar coating…I am not the guy."Todd Braley is a director and producer, known for You Like to Draw? (2020), Me, a Rapist? (2012) and Liar (2013).Connect with Todd Braley:myindieproductions.com/todd-e-braleytwitter.com/MyIndieProdinstagram.com/myindieproductions/YouTube Channel: MyIndie Productionsfacebook.com/MyIndieProductions/IMDB: Todd BraleyConnect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrowRead more about Kim Scott's Radical Candor.

Zoe Kavanagh: Eyes on the Prize (Ep 41)

How do you feel when people criticize you?  Zoe loves it. In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, director/filmmaker/musician Zoe Kavanagh talks about her approach to life: keep driving toward a goal.  She shares her enthusiasm in reading negative reviews about her films and her approach to harnessing the power of criticism.Zoe Kavanagh is a director and writer, known for Demon Hunter (2016), The Demon Hunters and Wounded Ella (2017).  She is also part of the gothic industrial band, Voxillary. Connect with Zoe Kavanagh:twitter.com/zoekavanaghinstagram.com/zoekavanaghfilmYouTube channel: Zoe Kavanaghfacebook.com/V1DEOK1D/IMDB: Zoe KavanaghConnect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainb

Bill Oberst, Jr.: Wounded Monsters (Ep 40)

Are you a wounded monster?In this powerful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Bill Oberst, Jr. candidly talks about his life lessons.  He shares the concept that we are all wounded monsters and that he relishes the opportunities to play them on screen.  He talks about his approach to hoping for failure and constantly challenging himself to succeed.   In one particularly heartfelt segment, Bill talks about his experiences with books and the realization that he is connected to all of humanity.Bill has a diverse and prolific career.  I thought it was best to share only a small portion of his IMDB biography:Oberst's staged theatrical reading "Ray Bradbury's Pillar Of Fire" won an Ernest Kearney Platinum Award for its Los Angeles debut, and was named Best Solo Show Of Hollywood Fringe and Best LA Solo Show in the 2015 Best Of LA Theater Roundup at Bitter-Lemons.com. In 2017 "Ray Bradbury's Pillar Of Fire" won a United Solo Theatre Festival Award for its Off-Broadway debut on Theatre Row in New York City.The premiere of the horror-themed episode of CBS-TV's "Criminal Minds" which introduced Oberst's deformed killer character (also guest-starring Adrienne Barbeau and Tobin Bell) was the evening's most-watched TV program. CBS.com included Oberst's character in their list of "Criminal Minds' 14 Most Notorious Serial Killers." The character remains one of only a handful of uncaptured "Criminal Minds" killers.He is perhaps most widely-known internationally as the face of director Jason Zada's "Take This Lollipop," awarded a Daytime Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the category of New Approaches-Daytime Entertainment. Oberst has been seen by over 100 million viewers worldwide as an online stalker in the interactive application for Facebook users.Connect with Bill Oberst, Jr.:billoberst.cominstagram.com/billoberstjr/youtube.com/channel/UCMqap01rLvNd8-ld0-QzarAfacebook.com/ActorBillOberstJrIMDB: Bill Oberst, Jr.Connect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Chris Alexander: Leave Your Bread Crumbs (Ep 39)

What legacy will you leave behind?  How will people know you existed? In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, filmmaker and writer Chris Alexander shares about his incredible life journey and fascination with Strange Cinema.  He talks about the pivotal moment when he lost his innocence...his recognition that life is finite.  He is continuously learning and leaving artistic bread crumbs for future generations to contemplate.Chris Alexander is a Canadian director, producer, writer and music composer known for such films as Necropolis: Legion, Blood for Irina, Queen of Blood and Female Werewolf.  He is also notable for his work as a film critic, journalist and magazine editor and was the third editor-in-chief of FANGORIA magazine and the co-founder/editor of DELIRIUM magazine.Connect with Chris Alexander:chrisalexanderonline.com/instagram.com/chris_alexander_films/facebook.com/chris.alexander.54966834IMDB: Chris AlexanderConnect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Patrick Smith: Subvert the Situation (Ep 38)

Are you a follower of the status quo? What stops you from becoming a positive disruptor? In this inspirational Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, filmmaker and visual artist Patrick Smith talks about his desire to continuously subvert expectations and challenge the status quo.  He subscribes to the idea that horror and humor are interconnected in their approach to evoking emotion from the audience...and challenge their expectations.  He talks about his personal goal to "say no" and focus on the interests and projects that align with his values and goals.  His motto: "Let's de-stigmatize saying 'no.'" Connect with Patrick Smith:vimeo.com/patrickjfsmithinstagram.com/a_patrick_smith/facebook.com/PatrickJFSmithConnect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Bonnie Ann: Live Your Best Life (Ep 37)

What is something that you've always wanted to do? What is stopping you from doing it? In this inspirational Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and model Bonnie Ann talks about her "unconventional" life and her approach to living a life without limits.    She candidly shares about her critical health-related incident and her moment of clarity.  Bonnie Ann is an actor who appeared in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series.  She is also known for Unforgivable Sins, Dreadtime Stories (2014), and Deviant Behavior (2016).Connect with Bonnie Ann: facebook.com/bonniecoronado82IMDB: Bonnie Ann CoronadoInstagram.com/TherealBonnieAnn2Connect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Gwen Ruhoff: Enjoy Being You (Ep 36)

Are you your own worst critic? Do you overanalyze your actions? In this thoughtful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor and special education paraprofessional Gwen Ruhoff shares about her diverse history in acting and in mental health.  She reflects on her approach to enjoying life. Hint: Calm down! Gwen Ruhoff is an actress and producer, known for Kellie Lin Knott: Salt and Sand (2019), The Journey (2016) and The Price of Freedom (2016).Connect with Gwen Ruhoff:facebook.com/gruhoffIMDB: Gwen Ruhoffinstagram.com/gwenruhoff/twitter.com/GRuhoffConnect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

L.C. Holt: Save Your Sanity (Ep 35)

Do you sometimes feel like you need to let off steam?How do you release it?In this insightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, director, and writer L.C. Holt shares about the power of the creative process and the need to find interests to maintain "sanity."   He talks about his "obsession" with creating art and describes his "different wiring."His inspiration: "The key to happiness is to always have something to look forward to."L.C. is an actor, director, and writer, known for You're Next (2011), V/H/S/2 (2013) and Time's Up (2021).Connect with L.C. Holt:facebook.com/collins.holtIMDB: L.C. Holtinstagram.com/contact.lcholt/Connect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Lisa Wilcox: Take Action for Change to Happen (Ep 34)

Do you wish things were different in your life?What is stopping you from taking action?In this delightful Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor Lisa Wilcox shares her perspective on staying true to her roots, the disturbing trends in online bullying, and the act of "telling your brain what to do."Lisa has performed in over 100 film, television, commercial and theater productions, starting her career in Equity Waiver theater. Lisa played the lead role of "Alice" in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) and  A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989).  She was a regular in the television series, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992), Knots Landing, General Hospital and numerous guest-starring roles. [IMDB] Connect with Lisa Wilcox:lisaewilcox.com/facebook.com/lisa.wilcox.7315IMDB: Lisa Wilcoxinstagram.com/thelisawilcox/Connect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow

Helene Udy: Don’t Waste a Minute (Ep 33)

Do you ever wonder if you are doing what you are "supposed" to do?How do you know you aren't "wasting" your life?In this raw Brain Burrow Digging Deep interview, actor, producer, and acrobat Helene Udy talks about the life-changing events that infused her with a sense of humility and gratitude.   She is inspirational in her discussion about her mission to connect disconnected humanity.Helene's motto: "Nothing is meaningful except for the meaning you choose to give it." Helene Udy is best known for playing edgy, rough-hewn and often sympathetic portrayals of misunderstood characters the most well-known of which is the series regular prostitute "Myra" on the popular CBS TV Western Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. [IMDB]   She is also known for My Bloody Valentine (1981), The Dead Zone (1983), and Pin (1988). Connect with Helene Udy:facebook.com/helene.udy/IMDB: Helene Udytwitter.com/heleneudyinstagram.com/heleneudy/Connect with Mark D Valenti:instagram.com/valentihorror/brainburrow.com​​IMDB: Mark D ValentiBrain Burrow YouTubetwitter.com/brainburrow