Kahnversations Podcast 2.0

New Podcast with Actor/Writer Briana Lane!

In this episode of "Kahnversations," we interview Briana Lane.

An LA native, Briana was raised by two psychologist parents (it’s not what you think!). While in high school, she was accepted to NYU Tisch School's musical theater program for high school students, which led to her majoring in musical theater at UCLA’s School of Film, Theater and Television for college. Right before graduating, she got her first job as a writer at CBS. She then went on to write, host and produce several shows for CBS’s new media platforms, CBS Mobile and CBS.com. She has hosted for E! News, MSN and Lionsgate to name a few, and most recently can be seen on a satirical news show on Uproxx called THE DESK.

After a few years of hosting and writing, she decided to pursue acting full time and booked a role in her first pilot, ABC's CANNED opposite Amanda Bynes. This year, Briana can be seen in Amazon’s THE LAST TYCOON opposite Kelsey Grammar and Matt Bomer. She is known for her recurring roles on Freeform’s YOUNG AND HUNGRY, NBC's THE NEW NORMAL, Freeform’s SWITCHED AT BIRTH and the lead role in Disney’s BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 3.

When she’s not acting, she enjoys walking her dog Foxy, writing her series COUCH PEOPLE opposite Sterling Sulieman (STILL STAR CROSSED) and Sunkrish Bala (CASTLE), and making music in her new band FIDELITY INN with actress/musician Kate Miner from the band MINER.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!



There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

Direct download: Briana_Lane.m4a
Category:Arts and Entertainment -- posted at: 10:59am PDT

New Podcast with Actor/Writer Tyler Poelle!

In this episode of "Kahnversations," we interview Tyler Poelle.

Tyler was born and raised in Northern California. He enrolled at Occidental College as a pre-med student, but quickly learned that he wanted to be on the TV show ‘ER,’ not in an ER. Tyler corrected his course and graduated with a BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University, where he developed a love for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the art of Andy Warhol.

After doing classical, regional and avant-garde-downtown-super-weird theater in New York City, he moved to Los Angeles. He’s told jokes on many network multi and single camera sitcoms, he’s cried and been terrified on many network and cable dramas. He’s even made out with a bunch of folks in indie movies! One of his favorite weeks on set was working with and befriending the incomparable Betty White, a childhood hero and true genius. Having played a ‘doctor’ and getting to ‘be on a spaceship,’ the only thing left in his boyhood acting-trifecta-dream is to play a ‘cowboy.’ Yes, he can ride a horse. And no, nobody has asked... yet.

Commercially, Tyler has been seen pitching products for Liberty Mutual, Schwab, Audi, Wendy's, Dunkin' Donuts, Budweiser, AT&T, Progresso, Nature Valley, Amazon, Applebees, Yahoo, and many more. He's keeping his eyes out for a pharmaceutical company that wants someone who can tell jokes and then bring a hint of sadness. Fingers crossed.

Tyler’s first feature film script to be produced and theatrically released as a writer was PRICELESS, a dark tale set inside the sex trafficking business in the Southwest. Two other feature scripts, A WOLF AT THE DOOR, a father’s story of recovery and redemption, and BROTHER’S KEEPER, a multi-generational betrayal story, are currently being shopped around.

As the proud single father to his daughter, Aurora, Tyler spends an enormous amount of time pretending to be any number of various princesses. An independent panel of scientists has agreed that Aurora is the smartest and most captivating little girl on planet Earth.

Tyler writes and records music in the band, "Petrov, the Hero," loves origami, and has a mild obsession with lemon bars. If you spend enough time with Tyler, you'll surely hear him say, "Everything will always be okay, forever." And not for nothing, it's totally true. He'll also be drinking sparkling water out of a rocks glass with a lime during that conversation.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!



There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

Direct download: Tyler_Poelle.m4a
Category:Arts and Entertainment -- posted at: 11:01am PDT

Director/Actor/Writer Richie Keen Director of FIST FIGHT with Chariie Day and Ice Cube!!!

New Podcast with Director/Actor/Writer Richie Keen!

In this episode of "Kahnversations," we interview Richie Keen.

Richie is a WGA award winning writer and director whose work is diversified across the comedy landscape. Richie directed the feature film FIST FIGHT (New Line/Warner Bros), starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day and Tracy Morgan, which will be released February 17th. Richie is also one of the resident directors on IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, having directed multiple episodes. Other recent directing credits include the TV Land pilot for TEACHERS (now going into it’s second season), SHAMELESS for Showtime, multiple episodes of the Billy Crystal half hour show THE COMEDIANS for FX, and multiple episodes of the new Netflix comedy DISJOINTED, from Chuck Lorre, starring Kathy Bates as the owner of a marijuana dispensary. Richie also directed an award winning ESPN 30 FOR 30 short on “Tommy John surgery," entitled TOMMY AND FRANK, as well as numerous other network and cable series.

After a very successful career as an actor and stand up comedian, starring in dozens of sitcoms and national commercials, Richie became one of Hollywood’s top acting coaches under Lesly Kahn & Co. Working with the famous, infamous and soon to be famous, Richie quickly became the go-to guy for comedy, which taught him to be a true actor’s director.

Richie won the Writer’s Guild award for “Outstanding Achievement in Writing Original New Media” for AIM HIGH, a show about a high school aged hit-man, which was produced by Warner Premiere and McG. He also executive produced, co-wrote and co-created the show, which was the first Facebook series from a Hollywood studio. In addition, Richie was awarded the “Digital Luminary Award” at the NATPE convention for AIM HIGH. Richie has also written pilots for CBS, Fox and NBC, collaborating with producers such as Greg Daniels and The Tannenbaums.

Currently, Richie is attached to direct the feature PARTNERS, starring Mark Wahlberg, for New Line Cinema.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!


There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

Direct download: Richie_Keen_1.m4a
Category:Arts and Entertainment -- posted at: 9:45am PDT

NETFLIX'S ONE DAY AT A TIME Set Visit Featuring Actor Todd Grinnell!!!!

New Podcast with Actor Todd Grinnell

In this episode of "Kahnversations," we interview Todd Grinnell. Todd is a die hard Red Sox fan from the suburbs of Boston. He graduated from Pitzer College in 1998 and since then has appeared in numerous TV shows and films including THE YOUNG POPE, GRACE AND FRANKIE, REVENGE, NIKITA, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, CRIMINAL MINDS, and THE MENTALIST.

He is currently starring as “Schneider" in the new critically acclaimed Netflix series, ONE DAY AT A TIME, a re-imagining of the Norman Lear TV classic in which a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the help of her old-school mom. Rolling Stone called it "one of the best shows of the new year," while the Washington Post went so far as so call the new series a "perfect revival... hope for the future of sitcoms."

In his spare time, Todd is also co-founder of THIS BAR SAVES LIVES, a one-for-one company that gives life-saving food to a child in need for every delicious granola bar sold (www.thisbarsaveslives.com).

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!



There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

Direct download: One_Day_At_A_Time.m4a
Category:Arts and Entertainment -- posted at: 4:25pm PDT

Actor Matty Cardarople from Netflix's A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, JURASSIC WORLD, SELFIE, AND DUMB AND DUMBER TOO!!!!

New Podcast with Actor Matty Cardarople!

In this installation of "Kahnversations," we interview Matty Cardarople. A laid-back, quirky comedic actor, East Coast-born Matthew Cardarople grew up entertaining friends and family in Exeter, New Hampshire. After settling in Los Angeles, he studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse and has been studying with Lesly Kahn & Co. for several years. Discovered by actor Owen Wilson, Cardarople has appeared in several TV shows, including the Netflix original series A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (to be released this month) and SELFIE, as well as the films DRILLBIT TAYLOR, DUMB AND DUMBER TO, THE BIG SICK, and JURASSIC WORLD.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!

There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

Direct download: Matty_Cardarople_.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 9:05am PDT