evan wecksell - Evan Wecksell

This episode Evan welcomes Star Wars fanatic, pop culture maven and fellow Great Neck, Long Island native Spencer Jawitz. After the initial Great Neck nostalgia, Spencer and Evan break down how each of them raved about the new Running Man movie starring Glen Powell. From the Easter eggs to the messaging, Spencer shares why this movie hit the mark and how he has a connection to cast member Katy O’Brian!

Then they dived into everything Star Wars as Spencer is the co-founder of Virtual Cantina Network (VCN), an online community of Star Wars fans over 100,000 strong! Sp...

Last week tickets for Bon Jovi’s Forever tour went on sale. And they were selling so much that shows had to keep being added. However, with Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing and long queues, success was mixed for fans.

Hardcore Jovi fans Michele Bloom, Chantel Griffin and Jerry Braden all join Evan to debrief on their ticket buying experience and the overall fan reaction, sharing a mix of anticipation, excitement, but some dismay.

Also, with Bon Jovi as popular as ever, but no current fan club, the fans wonder how the fanbase can regain that sens...

Keya Mason is a 3-time Emmy-nominated TV producer and casting director. She has produced for such shows as Dr Phil, Divorce Court, Judge Hatchett and Judge Maria Lopez while casting such reality hits as Love Island USA, The Bachelor, The Bachelor, Queer Eye and Catfish: The TV Show. And she has stories! Hear the behind the scenes of how shows are put together, how she knows whom to cast, and how she was about to convince the Catfisher to come on Catfish!!

Keya was also one of only a handful of people in the world to be...

Bon Jovi played its first show in three years at a special Runaway Tours event in Nashville. Michele Bloom and Traci Lynn were there with all the details. Most importantly, how was Jon’s voice? And where did this trip rank among the others? Michele and Traci reveal what this weekend meant to them and what the show meant to Jon! Plus, a rundown of all the weekend’s events – the welcome party, the tribute band Bad Medicine, and the reconnecting with fellow fans. And will we see Bon Jovi back on the road? Only way to find out is to...

Andrea Abbate (@andrearabbate) is a tv writer and comedienne and this month her one-woman show is featured at the Los Angeles Fringe festival. Sharing her battles with drugs and eating disorders, she will take you on a roller coaster ride and surprise you where she goes. Andrea also talks about her career selling over 20 tv shows, appearing on Full House and The Office (not that office). Plus, Andrea and Evan talk sleep schedules, comedic influences and the time Andrea saw 18 Michael Jackson impersonators mourning their simultaneous unemployment in Las Vegas. And their mutual fandom of Bon Jovi.

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Josh Goldstein (@jgold12) is a hardcore wrestling fan and podcaster – just like Evan. Josh is also from Great Neck, Long Island – just like Evan. Josh was actually live at Wrestlemania 1, 2, 20 and 29! Then hear them break down the full Wrestlemania 41 card. Hopefully they get along.

Get in Wrestlemania mood with this WWE neon sign on Amazon! https://amzn.to/4cvQZss

Check out Josh’s podcasts:
Indie Wrestling Guide Podcast (Mondays)
NXT Night Shift on YouTube (Main Event Wrestling Network)

Socially Awkward Swag:
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Bon Jovi’s new documentary “Thank You, Goodnight” just debuted on Hulu in the #1 spot and fellow Bon Jovi fan Jennifer Farrell is joining Evan to break it all down. Of course, they also reminisced about their fan club memories and the time they crossed paths with Jon Bon Jovi. Hear about the time Evan ran on a treadmill next to Jon and then the time Jennifer kissed him during a show! Plenty of awkward to go around and a surprise guest at the end!

Celebrate Bon Jovi’s 40th anniversary with their coffee table book “When We Were Be...

Derrick T Lewis does it all: actor, host, ring announcer, media personality, singer and big wrestling fan! Hear about all his successes from how he started ring announcing to his current deal with The Bleav Network. Also, last year Derrick was part of Wheel of Fortune’s WWE Week. He has also been to a ton of WWE shows including landing last minute seats to Wrestlemania 20. Then he and Evan break down Wrestlemania 40 which features Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns & The Rock on night 1 followed by Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns on night 2. It’s the 150th epis...

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Nick Smith is a movie producer in Hollywood! As VP of Production for Paperclip Limited, his latest project is a feature length nostalgic young adult comedy SNACK SHACK. Think Superbad meets Fast Times at Ridgemont High! Hear its origin story and how the distribution quickly came together.  Also, what got him into film? What’s it like being a movie producer? And what’s it like working with Yeardley Smith (the voice of Lisa Simpson)? All that and even some Theta Chi chat. Mildly awkward, but mostly entertaining!

In honor of Nick’s appeara...

Evan returns from his unintentional hiatus to interview another fellow Facebook friend. This time it’s Jessica Petraccione and we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bon Jovi. Evan and Jessica discuss favorite Jovi memories and then go rapid fire through every Bon Jovi album. What were their favorite tracks on each album? Which tracks were underappreciated? All that and more with a great awkward Jovi-based conversation!

Get Bon Jovi’s remastered first album on Amazon with previously unreleased demos and live tracks! https://amzn.to/3uhJpzM

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Nicola Cheung met Evan initially when he performed at Landmark College in Vermont back in 2012. Since then Nicola went back to China through the pandemic, but recently returned to the United States living in Connecticut. What made her come back? How is she getting around without knowing how to drive?

Then later, Evan delves deep into Nicola’s unique ability to communicate with spirits as well as predict the future. When did she realize she had these powers? How has it affected her emotionally? Hear amazing anecdotes as we go all-in on the paranormal! With a side of...

Jessica Amal is an actress, writer and producer who actually cast Evan in his first student film when he moved to LA! After reminiscing about the film, they then get into Jessica’s public battle with lung cancer and how she’s been able to stay strong. She also talks about how she met her husband and then she and Evan watch back the film during the interview (but this was cut because of an overwhelming amount of toilet FX.

To watch their film “Nincompoopy,” check it out on Youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW2cqp...

Owen Alabado is an actor, comedian, singer, dancer, martial artist – in other words, a Renaissance man. Hear how this Wisconsin native was drawn to theater, moved to Los Angeles and is currently kicking butt back in Wisconsin. He also talks about his comedy and he and Evan retrace their steps on how they met. (2:40) Then, returning to the podcast for the first time since Episode 1, Beckett Sage stops in to give his Wrestlemania 37 predictions, even though he does not regularly watch wrestling. Beckett also ponders at what age he will be able to beat up his dad and what hi...

Taryn Kristal is the founder of The Resolvancy – a divorce strategy and coaching firm, but to Evan she is the girl into whose locker he slipped a Peanuts card in the sixth grade. Now 3o years later, Evan gets her and her boyfriend at the time’s reaction. Taryn also discusses the power of music, her favorite musical acts and vocalists, her Rie & Ryn clothing line, the other Taryn Kristal in her life, what she thought of Evan’s theatrical wife during high school and other Great Neck nostalgia and name-dropping. Then, Kelly Meyersfield makes an appearance to table read a...

Cooper Shaw is an actress in SAG/AFTRA and Actors Equity who first met Evan when he edited her first demo reel in Brooklyn. Now about a decade later they have their first conversation as Cooper has too migrated to Los Angeles. How has she dealt with life in LA during Covid? She talks all about teaching people accents and impressions online, solo dance parties, her favorite musicals, Transfers on Netflix and her catchy name. 

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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Kevin Kiley was reelected to the State Assembly with the highest vote total for a Republican in California history. He is also the only 100 percent citizen-backed California Legislator, refusing all funding from the Special Interests that spent millions electing Gavin Newsom. After defeating the CA governor in court in October to stymie his one-man rule, Kiley is now releasing a book called “Recall Newsom” to rally support for the current recall attempt of the governor.

Evan and Kevin also cover the job-killing law AB 5, the successful Prop 22 that kept Uber & Lyft in California, how local communities are figh...

Erica Sandberg is a standout freelance writer in San Francisco who contributes to 12-15 publications at a time! Having met Evan when she interviewed him during his political run, Erica reconnects to discuss the state of California, the job-killing law AB 5 and an open letter she wrote to San Francisco restaurants to whom Mayor London Breed has turned a blind eye. Plus, the time Erica went undercover to see how many syringes she could score in San Francisco in one day. And towards the end, the question she asked Evan that set him into a rant. 

For m...

Anthony Zenkus is a tireless advocate for the welfare of children, families and communities. Working in the field of family violence, relationship violence, sexual assault and child poverty, he has trained thousands of professionals and community members across the country on how to better recognize, prevent and respond to abuse and neglect. Some of that expertise helped Anthony go viral last winter when the Trump campaign sent out a video of him speaking on Joe Biden. The ironic part? Professor Zenkus is not even a fan of Trump’s. Hear how that all played out as well as how he...

Angie Brice and Evan overlapped at Tufts University for two years, never met, yet somehow they’re Facebook friends. In their first conversation ever, hear them try to solve that mystery and then discuss her post-Tufts travels, her Hairoine product line and how she ended up working at the United Nations in Switzerland! Also, Angie goes in-depth about her current battle with lung cancer and how she approaches life as she serves as an inspiration to her family and friends. Nothing awkward this time.

Help Angie reach her fundraising goal at:

https://www.facebook.com/do...

Radio J met Evan back on Long Island when they were both doing the local open mics. With a background in radio, Radio J is now in Florida networking with local acts and putting out his own podcast: Going Boom. Radio J and Evan talk about their Long Island days and throw in some wrestling talk and whether they would see live music in the era of Covid.

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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Ethan Ullman is a comedian and comedy show producer. Speaking for the first time since they joined forces at a comedy show at RPI (Troy, NY), Ethan tells Evan about his new Weird Al Yankovic podcast, aptly titled Dave & Ethan’s 2000″ Weird Al Podcast. Evan also reveals playing a fundraiser to raise money for Weird Al’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and how Ethan attended the eventual ceremony! Then they discuss the viability of virtual comedy, outdoor comedy and comedy in general in a ‘woke era.’ Plus, how people butcher Ethan’s name so much and why he loves...

Spike Cohen is Evan’s newest Facebook friend, but just as important he is the Libertarian Party’s candidate for Vice President of the United States of America. How did the process work? Where does he stand on the critical issues facing America in this election year? Answering questions from the “Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen For President/VP 2020” Facebook group, and Evan’s family, Spike discusses his personal lockdown (2:57), the process of becoming the VP nominee (9:07), the status of the LP’s debate stage and ballot access (14:43), how Congress would handle a Libertarian president (22:03), health care (28:10), ending the war on drugs (33...

Jill Noelle and Evan have their first extended conversion as they try to pinpoint how they became Facebook friends. Once they do, they dig into life in California, working during the Coronavirus, best SNL skits, and Evan’s new ‘clothing line’ The Covid Collection, of which Jill is a frequent customer. Then Jill offers an adept assessment of the current scene. Regardless, there will be enough awkward in this one to hold you over.

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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Vote for (Mark) Pedro! He’s not running for office, but he has seen Napoleon Dynamite several times. Evan interviews one of his former interns who happens to be in Canada. How has Canada been during Covid-19? Mark fills you in, plus some other chit-chat.

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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In their first ever conversation, Evan checks in with Karen Lavender. Karen (pronounced ‘Kaar-in’) talks about growing up in South Africa, moving to Los Angeles and discovering her love of documentaries  and producing commercials. She also breaks down one of her favorite movies, District 9. Evan and Karen then delve into the current “Karen” phenomenon and play Evan’s new personalized game, “Is Karen a Karen?” You’ll want to tell the manager to listen to this episode!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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In their first ever conversation, despite being Facebook friends for the past 13 years, Evan welcomes fellow Theta Chi Fraternity brother and solar installation specialist Nick Goad. As both are in California, Evan and Nick break down California’s ‘response’ to Covid-19. Nick also recalls being a founding member of his chapter at Northern Arizona University and how he ended up in the solar installation field. Listen to long-lost brothers reunite for the first time.  

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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In this milestone episode 100, Evan welcomes tv/radio host and activist Kerri Kasem. Kerri shares her battles advocating for the elderly. She also recounts not seeing her father, radio legend Casey Kasem, towards the end of his life, due to archaic family visitation laws. Hear how her Kasem Cares Foundation righted the wrong and how she persisted. And would she run for office? Kerri also previews how she is changing lives with her Breakthrough Naturally wellness company.  All that and what it was like going to Hebrew school even though she wasn’t Jewish. A little bit of awkward mix...

Neil Kelly was a student Mount Saint Joseph’s in Cincinnati when he hired Evan to play at the school’s spring concert. After 10 years they have reunited (while Neil is caught in a windy Covid-19 storm).

Evan gets Neil’s thoughts on the Democrat field, who was pushing for and how this will all play out as we live with the hysteria of Coronavirus. Then Evan recruits Neil to break down all the matches of Wrestlemania 36… without any knowledge of the current WWE product. Guaranteed awkwardness!

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As Super Tuesday nears, Evan brings on Troy Slaten, an attorney (and alum of Fox’s “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”) who is running for Judge in Los Angeles County, Seat #145. Hear why he is willing to take a pay cut to better serve his community, why he is the superior choice and what qualities he values the most. And of course, Evan doesn’t let him off the hook until he gets Troy’s takes on his favorite TV judges, what he thought of Lance Ito’s job during the OJ trial and has he seen the movie “Troy?”

Th...

Lynette Marie Barron is an Advocate & Activist for Medical Health Freedom. Find out what that is and how it affected two of her children who have autism. Will she be saying the v-word? Hear how she has earned the title of Freedom Fighter and rallies many people to the ACIP meetings at the CDC. She also conquers with kindness and has some surprisingly nice things to say about some of the most notoriously hated people on the pro-side. Phew, made it through without even saying va((ine. Dammit!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for a...

Tim Chizmar is an author, screenwriter, producer, promoter and so much more. However, life was not always been rosy for him. Hear Tim’s honest account of how show business in Los Angeles drove him out of the state and led him to turn his life around in Idaho! Now Tim is in Las Vegas, but has he sought vengeance on Los Angeles? Find out all that and plus a little wrestling talk.

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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We hear a lot about Democrats and Republicans, but what about those smaller parties? Angela McArdle is a Libertarian Organizer, Activist and Chair of the LA County Libertarians. How did she find the Libertarian Party? What drew her to it? Angela breaks down some of its tenets as well as her experiences running for office. Also, who could be the 2020 Libertarian nominee for President and how is their convention different? All this plus Angela gives her reasons California Governor Gavin Newsom should be recalled and the stupidity behind #AB5, a law that will essentially kill California’s gig economy an...

Amin Jai was hired by Evan back in New York about 15 years ago and now in their longest conversation ever Amin came to Evan’s house late one night to sit in his kitchen to catch up! Hear why Amin left New York for Los Angeles, what it was like being interviewed for a job by Evan and plus a whole lot of politics. Did we mention Amin is a proud black, pro-Trump Republican? Of course that means Amin has been shadow-banned on social media. Amin also gets into being judged as a black man. Pulling no punches on th...

Renae Dahlquist joins Evan to discuss how they met, life at Washington State, the real estate scene in the Pacific Northwest, Seahawks games and if Evan will ever be able to move due to his HOA. Awkward!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month (or as much as $200) by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

Facebook: @awkwardwithevan
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Website: awkwardwithevan.com

In honor of Renae’s appearance, get a Washington State University Garden Gnome on Amazon.

The post Ren...

Tamela D’Amico is an actress, model, singer, social media influencer and brand ambassador and for some reason she let Evan interview her in person! In their first ever conversation, Tamela gives Evan a full spiel about her life and the magic that is ‘Lois and Debra.’ Then Evan guesses random things about her and they discuss their Long Island roots. It will be fabulous (and awkward).

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month (or as much as $200) by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

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I...

Michele Bloom is the hardest of hardcore Bon Jovi fans. She has met Jon Bon Jovi several times and has been to countless shows. She just got back from the Runaway to Paradise with Jon Bon Jovi cruise in the Bahamas and we’re breaking it ALL down. How was the experience? Was Jon on the ship for the whole cruise? Who else did she run into? Plus, some vintage band stories, a Richie Sambora story from Obie O’Brien and the time Michele danced on stage with JBJ during ‘Bed of Roses.’ Oh, and there was the time Jon held...

Evan wraps up his I Love the 80s series with 1989’s Sean Snead. And all this time Evan thought his name was Sean Austin. Why is that? Plus, Evan and Sean talk video games, wrestling and give a rapid-fire preview of Wrestlemania 35!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month (or as much as $200) by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

Facebook: @awkwardwithevan
Twitter: @awkwardwithevan
Instagram: @awkwardwithevan
Website: awkwardwithevan.com

In honor of Wrestlemania 35, get Wrestlemania 34 on Amazon! Or get Evan’s new paperback!

...

Evan speaks to fellow Tufts Jumbo and Theta Chi alum Max Chalkin. Hear what life has been like since Max graduated and into which country he was denied re-entry. Also, will we be voting for him one day? All that and more with a dash of awkward!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month (or as much as $200) by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

Facebook: @awkwardwithevan
Twitter: @awkwardwithevan
Instagram: @awkwardwithevan
Website: awkwardwithevan.com

In honor of Maxwell Chalkin’s Tufts University roots, get a Tuf...

Evan met Brittany Collins-Finch at the moment she was proposed to by her husband. Get the full story about how it went down, plus her love of Dashboard Confessional, the time she met “Weird Al” Yankovic, and what’s it like to have rhinoplasty? It’s the perfect blend of awkward!

SUBSCRIBE to SOCIALLY AWKWARD, and support the podcast for as little as $1/month (or as much as $200) by going to patreon.com/funnyevan.

Facebook: @awkwardwithevan
Twitter: @awkwardwithevan
Instagram: @awkwardwithevan
Website: awkwardwithevan.com

In honor of Brittany Collin-Finch’s love of “Weird A...

The “I Love the 80s” series has returned with 1986’s Marissa Figueroa of the band Highland Kites! Hear how she went from no experience to singing, playing keyboards, guitar and how she now has 4 albums and 5 singles with her band plus six national tours and a distribution deal! What are her musical influences? She takes us from Tracy Chapman to present day, then she and Evan reveal the titles of their respective new songs in the works.

Also, after the interview, listen to Evan’s touching tribute to Comedian Brody Stevens (31:00). The comedy world is mourning his passing...