Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon - Content Creator, Mom Reena Friedman Watts on betrayal, heartbreak and Jerry Springer

Content Creator, Mom Reena Friedman Watts on betrayal, heartbreak and Jerry Springer

03/12/23 • 34 min

6 Listeners

Reena Friedman Watts give her heart freely and has been betrayed often. The pandemic gave the busy Hollywood behind the scenes superstar a chance to give her kids the best gift in the world. Co-host of the Better Call Daddy podcast goes Beyond the Mic.

Welcome Reena

We’re joined on the Starline by a woman who used to hear the chant “Jerry, Jerry” at work. A well-timed one-liner once got her a job. Reena’s on a mission to take risks, not know a stranger, and didn’t want a co-host to back out on her, so she asked her dad. Her podcast is “Better Call Daddy”, we welcome Reena Friedman Watts,

Reena, let’s go Beyond the Mic. How do you go from a sports medicine and vocal music major at Charleston to helping others as a marketing specialist?

You live for a story, there’s always a story you’ve either researched, discovered or shared. How has your own story changed from 920am WBAA to today?

Reena, you are a marketer of yourself and others. What do you get out of being on someone’s show after booking hundreds of people on other people’s show?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Best ride at Kentucky Kingdom?

2. Have you ever beaten your father at chess?

3. Typical Starbucks order?

4. When you were pregnant, what was the disgusting combo you ate?

5. Best thing about your husband Will?

6. Which famous person would you love to have as a business partner?

7. Have you ever invented a fairly unique drink or meal combo?

8. What’s the most sentimental photo you have of you and your dad?

The Back Half:

What makes your podcast different than anybody else?

Growing up, what did you think you were going to be?

How has your family reinvigorated who you are and how you’ve changed your identity from Hollywood to helping?

Reena, I could ask you about any topic, and you’d have a story. Relationships, miscarriages, celebrities, family, marketing, entrepreneur, parenting, sports, politics, self-improvement, careers and LinkedIn you would have a story to tell. But what are you afraid of?

Everyone has challenges in their lives. Adversity makes most of us stronger. How has your will been tested and why do you believe you are where you are today?

Are you happy with the way you are now?

You’ve talked about being betrayed by business partners. How has betrayal changed you? You may not get back what you give.

Burnout is important to avoid, but when you have such high expectations, it’s hard to give up a project or task to someone who can’t deliver to the level you expect.

Helping:

You have a goal of helping others. Whether it is teens to make better college decisions, help entrepreneurs, or helping seniors in communities. Where did your servant’s heart come from?

How did the pandemic quarantine change you as a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur?

Producing Jerry Springer, working with MTV, VH1, Nanny 911, Judge Alex, Hot Bench and more. How did those times feed your soul?

Bouncing from job to job during those early years after college. Did those jobs and those experiences strip away your humanity or add to it?

How did the trip to Israel change the way you look at work and the balance between work, family and yourself?

What three things do you think of most every day?

Social Media:

Your first tweet Christmas Eve 2008 was “searching twitter”. Did you find what you were searching for?

Best movie you used to see in Louisville KY back in 2009 for 6 bucks? You used to go to the National Amusements Showcase Cinema Stonebrook in Louisville. Bargain Tuesdays.

Biggest success and you can’t talk about your kids...

What’s the one story that mean the most to you?

How has the relationship with your mom changed and evolved from resentment to now?

One Big Question:

“My dad has been my guiding force my whole life, there’s nothing that he doesn’t know and I want to share that with the world.” How do you prepare for a day when your dad isn’t on this earth anymore?

The Wrap:

Her first concert was Michael Jackson, loved watching 24 and enjoys a Cinnamon Dulce, Check out Better Call Daddy Podcast wherever you find podcasts. Reena Friedman Watts thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Welcome Reena

Reena, let’s go Beyond the Mic. How do you go from a sports medicine and vocal music major at Charleston to helping others as a marketing specialist?

You live for a story, there’s always a story you’ve either researched, discovered or shared. How has your own story changed from 920am WBAA to today?

Reena, you are a marketer of yourself and others. What do you get out of being on someone’s show after booking hundreds of people on other people’s show?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Best ride at Kentucky Kingdom?

2. Have you ever beaten your father at chess?

3. Typical Starbucks order?

4. When you were pregnant, what was the disgusting combo you ate?

5. Best thing about your husband Will?

6. Which famous person would you love to have as a business partner?

7. Have you ever invented a fairly unique drink or meal combo?

8. What’s the most sentimental photo you have of you and your dad?

The Back Half:

What makes your podcast different than anybody else?

Growing up, what did you think you were going to be?

How has your family reinvigorated who you are and how you’ve changed your identity from Hollywood to helping?

Everyone has challenges in their lives. Adversity makes most of us stronger. How has your will been tested and why do you believe you are where you are today?

Are you happy with the way you are now?

You’ve talked about being betrayed by business partners. How has betrayal changed you? You may not get back what you give.

Burnout is important to avoid, but when you have such high expectations, it’s hard to give up a project or task to someone who can’t deliver to the level you expect.

Helping:

You have a goal of helping others. Whether it is teens to make better college decisions, help entrepreneurs, or helping seniors in communities. Where did your servant’s heart come from?

How did the pandemic quarantine change you as a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur?

Producing Jerry Springer, working with MTV, VH1, Nanny 911, Judge Alex, Hot Bench and more. How did those times feed your soul?

Bouncing from job to job during those early years after college. Did those jobs and those experiences strip away your humanity or add to it?

How did the trip to Israel change the way you look at work and the balance between work, family and yourself?

What three things do you think of most every day?

Social Media:

Your first tweet Christmas Eve 2008 was “searching twitter”. Did you find what you were searching for?

Best movie you used to see in Louisville KY back in 2009 for 6 bucks? You used to go to the National Amusements Showcase Cinema Stonebrook in Louisville. Bargain Tuesdays.

Biggest success and you can’t talk about your kids...

What’s the one story that mean the most to you?

How has the relationship with your mom changed and evolved from resentment to now?

One Big Question:

The Wrap:

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Previous Episode

Senior Director of Communications for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Chris Woolsey

Crackle, Redbox and Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Senior Director of Communications Chris Woolsey came to talk content but then as usual ended up going Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon.

Welcome Chris:

We’re joined on the Starline by an alumnus of Sacramento State. He’s an author, actor, writer and producer. Now senior director of communications for Crackle Plus we welcome Chris Woolsey.

Chris, let’s go Beyond the Mic. When you were in school at Sac State, did you ever think your degree in environmental studies would get you where you are today?

You have so many programming teams that you work with Chicken Soup for the Soul, Redbox, Crackle. How do you balance them all and what are the benefits of each for the viewer?

What’s your favorite perk at your job?

You co-created the (Red)eemed campaign to sell t-shirts to raise money for Compassion International which helps children in poverty. How did that moment change you forever?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Crackle TV show that you 1st binge watched?

2. Topic you had to let David Matalon cover in your book “The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties”?

3. What’s your secret obsession?

4. Have you ever played the bongos?

5. Who do you like more Salem the cat or Nick Bakay?

6. If you could choose your last words, what would they be?

7. Typical In and Out order?

8. What’s the one thing you fear might change you?

The Back Half:

How did your time at Pivotshare get you prepared for Crackle?

Who is the one teacher that changed the way you see the world today?

Lifelong friendships show a person that believes in relationships How did your junior high friend Matt Woods make you a better person?

Which is the one idea you wrote as a freelance writer that one day will make it to the big screen?

How has on demand television changed the way you see it?

When did you fall in love with your wife Nicole and how did she change you?

What’s the one job you put up for that you are glad you didn’t get?

Who’s the one person you’ve worked with has it been hardest not to fanboy over?

You could have been a lawyer. You’ve tried to bike 8000 miles. How has overcoming adversity made your life worth it for you?

You once tweeted “I was going to be a youth pastor but my dream was crushed when I realized I was born w/ a handicap that leaves me unable to grow a fo-hawk.” Did you pass that down to your children?

What’s the one big question you didn’t have a chance of getting answered when you were on Zach and Pete?

One Big Question:

As segmentation of the content market becomes more divided, tons of channels, you can swing a stick and hit someone doing a podcast. How do content creators breakthrough in a world with short attention spans?

The Wrap:

Once the Foursquare Mayor of Sprouts in Culver City, dressed up for Halloween as Ted Lasso, cries during Rudy and remained sane during the quarantine because of hot sauce. He wants you to check out the great shows on Crackle, Redbox and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Chris Woolsey, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Next Episode

Director of "Back to the Drive-in" April Wright

She loves GNR, Firebirds and your local drive-in. Watch her film “Back to the Drive-In” and listen to her take a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

Welcome April Wright:

We’re joined on the Starline by a writer, director, award-winning filmmaker, and narrative programmer. Her latest project took her on a trip of human resiliency to eleven family-owned drive-ins during the pandemic to create “Back to the Drive-In”. We welcome the talented April Wright.

April, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You’ve been a fan of drive-ins since you were a child. I watched Superman at the Sunrise Drive-In in Valley Stream. Do you remember the 1st movie you saw at a drive in?

What makes this story the underdog story you live for?

With less than 400 drive-ins in existence now, do you believe there will be a renewal any time soon in the drive-in?

How do you go from a successful business career after your MBA to working as a narrative programmer for Sundance to this?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Key snack other than popcorn at the drive-in for you?

2. Favorite film festival not named Sundance and why?

3. Favorite Guns and Roses song?

4. What one thing from your past you miss the most?

5. Favorite genre of movie?

6. What was the one thing you were very passionate about, then quickly lost interest as a child?

7. Did you ever think your BS in business computer systems at Bradley would prepare you for your career today?

8. If you had to for a movie, would you do your own stunts?

If you could watch one movie that hasn’t been on screen in decades at a drive-in, what would you watch?

One Big Question:

As the world changes and evolves, how much are we missing from drive-ins and roller rinks, especially since your family ran a roller rink growing up?

Where can people find “Back to the Drive-In”?

The Wrap:

She’s an opinionated wordsmith who was misses Pontiac Firebirds, loves Guns ‘N Roses “Night Train” and has to have Raisinettes. She carries a torch for your neighborhood drive-in. Director of “Back to the Drive-in” April Wright, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp