The Staffa Corner | Celebrity Interviews & Entertainment Insights

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Staffa Corner Podcast, I welcome actor David Webster, known for playing young Elliot in The Way Home. David shares how a childhood theater production in Sudbury, Ontario, opened the door to acting, why an ambitious pilot that never aired still changed his life, and how his parents’ support helped him navigate auditions, rejection, and the decision to pursue acting as a career. We also explore David’s passion for screenwriting and the surprising creative freedom he found on The Way Home, including the opportunity to rewrite a pivotal scene’s dialogue. From the challenges of bringing Canadian stories to international audiences to his hopes for his own feature screenplay, David offers a thoughtful look at finding his voice both on camera and on the page. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sound designer and supervising sound editor George Flores joins me on The Staffa Corner Podcast to explore the sounds that bring movies to life. I love his passion for his craft as he takes us through dialogue editing, Foley, and the creativity behind sound design for independent films. Our conversation also serves as a reminder that we too often focus on Hollywood and forget that countries around the world are making films and television shows of their own. George offers a fascinating look at that broader filmmaking community and the sound professionals whose work helps bring those stories to life. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sound designer and supervising sound editor Dashen “Dash” Naidoo joins me on The Staffa Corner Podcast to explore the sound behind Trap and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City . From building terrifying zombie voices to balancing concert crowds with quiet tension, Dash reveals how carefully chosen sounds shape a story and pull audiences into its world. I love highlighting the creative people whose contributions too often go unnoticed, and Dash offers a fascinating look at this essential part of filmmaking. We discuss how Back to the Future sparked his imagination, why a creaky studio door became worth recording, and how remaining a student of his craft keeps him inspired. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Actress and producer Kelsey Bunner joins The Staffa Corner Podcast to share her journey from community theater in small-town Illinois to working on both sides of the camera. She reflects on her Shakespeare and Second City training, appearing on Chicago Fire , and the unexpected opportunities that followed her move to Los Angeles just as the pandemic began. Kelsey also takes us behind the scenes of The Carbonaro Effect and discusses the challenges of independent filmmaking in a crowded streaming world. With humor and honesty, she shares how she handles rejection, takes creative risks, and stays excited about the stories she hopes to bring to life. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Actor Dar Dixon joins The Staffa Corner Podcast to share a life story that stretches from leaving Iran before the revolution to surviving a doomsday cult and building a career in Hollywood. In a candid conversation, Dar explains how manipulation draws people in gradually, and why intelligence offers no guarantee against it. Dar also reflects on rebuilding his life, navigating Hollywood’s casting expectations, and confronting his past through the HBO docuseries Bring Me the Beauties and his upcoming memoir, The Walk-In . With humor and honesty, he shares what recovery taught him about identity, vulnerability, and finding peace with his own story. Check out his website here Check out HBO Max "Bring Me the Beauties" Here Support the show

Send us Fan Mail One of the joys of film and television is discovering that great storytelling happens all over the world. The Staffa Corner Podcast gives a voice to people doing amazing work beyond Hollywood, and this episode is one of those conversations. Film and television editor Gadi Mozes joins Greg Staffa to share his journey from Israel to Montreal and explore how editors turn hours of footage into stories that connect across cultures. From attending film school near Gaza, where bomb shelter alarms interrupted classes, to finding the heart of a documentary or the rhythm of a comedy, Gadi offers a perspective shaped by both his craft and his experiences. He discusses the differences between editing scripted films and documentaries, the responsibility of telling someone else’s story, and why small, character-driven stories can reveal so much about the world. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Actress Paige Bourne joins me to talk about appearing on Chicago P.D. , Chicago Med , and Chicago Fire . She shares what it was like stepping onto those established sets and how much thought can go into a role with only one line. We also discuss her path from Shakespeare and theater to improv and on-camera acting, the ups and downs of auditioning, and why she keeps pushing herself to try things that scare her. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Director David Winning joins the Staffa Corner to talk about the Super 8 camera that started his filmmaking journey and the determination it took to make his first feature, Storm . He shares how that early experience led to a career directing science fiction, horror, family television and Hallmark movies. David also looks back on Stargate Atlantis , Van Helsing , Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie and working with a young Ryan Gosling on Breaker High . Along the way, he explains why he still approaches each set with the excitement he felt as a kid making movies with his friends. Check out his website HERE Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sound designer and editor Colin Ryley joins Greg Staffa to reveal how sound helps bring movies and television shows to life. He explains the work behind Foley, dialogue replacement, sound effects, background noise, and the countless audio details audiences often never realize were recreated during post-production. Ryley also discusses his journey from music to film and television, the creativity required to invent convincing sounds, and the differences between working on horror, live-action projects, and animated series. He also shares stories from his work on projects including Super Team Canada , ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series , and Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Actor, director, and acting coach Dean Armstrong joins The Staffa Corner Podcast to discuss his journey from growing up in Owen Sound, Ontario, to performing in Rent on Broadway and landing his breakout role as Blake Wyzecki on Queer as Folk . Armstrong reflects on how a character originally intended for only two episodes became part of a five-season story, the responsibility of portraying addiction honestly, and the lessons he now shares with actors through Armstrong Acting Studios. He also explains why self-taped auditions can give performers greater control over their work and help turn even a small role into something much bigger. Armstrong also takes listeners behind the scenes of Reacher Season 4 and his role as the relentless Foster. He discusses repeatedly getting beaten by Reacher, the season’s darkly funny and brutal action sequences, and whether Foster’s story is really finished. The conversation includes spoilers for Reacher Season 4 , along with Armstrong’s candid thoughts on acting, creativity, rejection, and the constantly evolving identity of an artist. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Emmy-winning production designer Mark Hofeling joins The Staffa Corner Podcast to discuss his career and the creative process behind building the memorable worlds audiences see on screen. Mark shares stories from his work on High School Musical , Descendants , Zombies , and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers , while explaining how practical sets, collaboration, and imagination bring each production to life. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Actress Casey Gardner joins Greg Staffa to discuss growing up in Kansas City, moving to Los Angeles to study acting at USC, and the realities of pursuing a career in Hollywood. She shares what she learned from working on short films, navigating rejection, and overcoming moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Gardner also discusses representation in the entertainment industry, her dream of starting a production company, and the importance of building a stronger community for actors. She also shares details about her upcoming film Gettysburg 1863 and the award-winning Paper Flowers . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Celebrity guests may get the clicks, but hundreds of people can go into making the films and television shows we love. The Staffa Corner Podcast loves putting a spotlight on some of those other voices whose work has a profound impact on the industry. Production designer John Dondertman is one of them, responsible for helping create everything audiences see on screen, from locations and everyday rooms to superhero gadgets and entire fictional worlds. John joins me to talk about the often invisible art of production design and his work on Chucky, Orphan Black, Flashpoint, Titans and more. We get into building the White House for Chucky , creating the Batcave, transforming locations into believable sets, working under incredibly tight deadlines, and how a career that began building scenery eventually led him to designing worlds for film and television. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Joy Ellison grew up in Hollywood and began acting as a child, appearing on classics including The Andy Griffith Show . She joins me to look back at those early years, what she remembers about working around Ron Howard, and how a childhood fascination with languages and accents eventually led her down a completely different career path. Joy went on to become a respected Hollywood dialect coach, working with some of the biggest names in the business. We talk about how she got her start coaching Isabella Rossellini, what really goes into creating a believable accent, and why sometimes the smallest details can completely change a character. She also shares what happens when an accent isn't working and why time and preparation have become increasingly difficult to find in Hollywood. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Toby Philpott’s career took an incredible path from street performing and circus work to helping bring some of the most memorable creatures in movie history to life. He joins me to talk about that journey, including working alongside Jim Henson on The Dark Crystal and eventually becoming one of the puppeteers inside Jabba the Hutt for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi . Toby also shares what it was like working inside the massive Jabba puppet, why practical effects still hold up decades later, and how a relatively small part of his life became something generations of fans still remember. It’s a fascinating conversation about creativity, luck, Jim Henson, Star Wars , and being in the right place at exactly the right time. Inside Jabba website Online interviews with fans Slimy piece of worm-ridden filth (20 minute filmumentary of the 'making-of') Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Geoffrey Cantor has spent decades building a career across television, film and theater, including his memorable role as Mitchell Ellison in Marvel’s Daredevil and The Punisher . He joins me to talk about how he found acting, the ups and downs of making a living as a working actor, and why he still loves the craft after all these years. We also get into auditions, rejection, acting technique and what he learned from his years on Daredevil . Geoffrey shares some great stories from his career and offers an interesting look at what it really takes to keep working in an industry where you never quite know what the next job will be. They say New York is often a character of its own, and that was certainly the case with this episode. From dogs barking to horns and sirens, NYC made its presence known. I cleaned up the audio the best I could, but a little of New York still made it through. I think it just adds some character to the episode. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Brent Huff joins The Staffa Corner Podcast to talk about his memorable role as Officer Smitty on ABC’s The Rookie and how the character grew into an unexpected fan favorite. He shares his thoughts on Smitty, working on the hit series, and the fun of playing a character who can make an impression without always being at the center of the action. Huff also looks back on a career that has taken him in front of and behind the camera as an actor, director, and filmmaker. From his earlier work in Hollywood to finding a whole new audience with The Rookie , Brent offers a fun look at the experiences and unexpected turns that have shaped his career. For more on The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) click HERE To order his book click HERE Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This video is about Stuntwoman and stunt coordinator Amy Greene joins The Staffa Corner Podcast for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of Hollywood stunts and action design. Greene talks about her path from athletics and boxing into stunt work, what it takes to safely coordinate action on a film set, and the importance of making stunts serve the story rather than simply stand out. She also shares what it’s like doubling for acclaimed performers including Meryl Streep and discusses her work on films such as The Holdovers and Sound of Metal. Amy also weighs in on Tom Cruise performing his own stunts, the growing role of CGI and AI in filmmaking, and how opportunities for women in the stunt industry have changed over the years. From subtle falls and fight choreography to major action sequences, Amy explains why some of the best stunt work is the work audiences never notice, and why creativity, safety, collaboration, and even kindness are essential parts of bringing believable action to the screen. Learn more about her work HERE Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Bill Oberst Jr. joins The Staffa Corner Podcast for an open conversation about growing up feeling different, being bullied, and eventually finding a place where the things that once made him stand out became an advantage. He talks about finding his way into acting, building a career in horror, and why he’s always been more interested in finding the person inside the monster than simply playing the bad guy. We also get into Bill’s faith, the darker side of human nature, his love for Ray Bradbury and Lon Chaney, and some of the more unusual moments from his career. But some of the best moments come when Bill looks back at the kid he used to be and talks about what he wishes that scared young boy could have known about the life waiting for him. Check out Bill's Links below. WEBSITE: https://billoberst.com/ PODCAST: https://bill-oberst-jr-gothic-goodnight.captivate.fm/ Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Staffa Corner Podcast, actress Catherine Ashmore Bradley joins Greg Staffa for an exclusive celebrity interview about growing up in the entertainment industry. Known for playing Luan Loud on Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House , Catherine discusses her Hollywood acting career, performing on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , and working in film, television, theater and voice acting. She also shares behind-the-scenes stories about acting alongside her sister, transitioning from child actress to adult roles, launching Ashmore Productions and preparing for the Off-Broadway musical Spandex . It’s an inspiring entertainment podcast conversation about acting, Broadway, Hollywood, family, perseverance and building a lasting career in show business. You can read about the charities she supports, check out Room to Read Here. Support the show