SModcast - Walking from the American Dream

Kelly is joined by screenwriter, actor and now author, David Dean Bottrell where they discuss the ins and outs, the loves and hates, the ups and downs of choosing a career in the entertainment industry. David's just published book Working Actor: Breaking in, Making a Living, and Making a Life in the Fabulous Trenches of Show Business is a deep, funny, transparent look at not only David's path in the business as a screenwriter and actor, but real nuts and bolts of how to succeed in this crazy, fantastic business. Music by Logan Heftel

Kelly chats with Harvey J. Kaye, American History professor at University of Wisconsin, Green Bay and the Ben & Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies, about ideas such as justice, liberty and equality and how the current Democratic Party keeps missing the important narrative that Thomas Paine so clearly saw as the true potential of this great democratic experiment. Harvey will become a regular of the podcast to help us sort through the upcoming presidential campaign. Harvey can be found on Twitter @HarveyJKaye, and is author and editor of numerous works, including "The American Radical, Are We Good Citizens?" "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America", and "The Fight For The Four Freedoms: What Made FDR And The Greatest Generation Truly Great".

The Octagon Table members Dylan Brody, Rick Overton, Erin Brown and Chris Bonno with Kelly gather to unpack what it means to be a hero. They talk about their own heroes, what traits heroes must have and why we even have them.

Gary Gach, author of "Pause, Breathe, Smile," (and many other titles), mindfulness teacher, poet, joins Kelly to discuss being on the path to enlightenment, why watching your breath changes your life, and other fine hints and moments about being seekers. Instead of music, we give you 273 moments of silence. You can find more about Gary at garygach.com.

Kelly sits down with Mark Russell, the political, musical satirist for an exploration of his career and take on politics these days.