Backstory Sessions

The Way Out

Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we sit down with actor, writer, and producer Mike Manning. He got his start in acting in high school productions, and later was cast for a spot on the MTV series The Real World: DC. This would lead to other roles in a Disney movie, tv series roles, and many other acting opportunities, his recurring roll on the long running soap opera, Days of Our Lives among them. He also has multiple Emmy awards thrown into the mix for acting, and producing to round out his resume. His recent movie, "The Way Out" is available to stream now. We chat with Mike about all of these topics and much more in this intriguing episode. His love of acting is evident, and he gives some great insight into how he approaches roles, and what drives him to act.
Mike’s  Bio:
Mike Manning is an American actor, producer, reality television personality and activist. Manning gained fame as a cast member on the MTV series The Real World: D.C.[2] before subsequently embarking on an acting career, appearing in a number of films and television programs, such as the 2014 Disney Channel original movie Cloud 9, in which he played Nick Swift, Hawaii Five-0, Love Is All You Need? (2016), Teen Wolf, The Call, Son of the South and Days of Our Lives.[3] As a producer, his work includes the documentary Kidnapped for Christ,[4] and The Bay, which won the 2020 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series.[5] He won the 2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Daytime Fiction Program for his performance as Caleb McKinnon.[6]

Rickshaw Girl

Hello Backstory fans! Join us for this great episode when we sit down with author Mitali Perkins. Mitali has written numerous Young Adult books, and her book, Rickshaw Girl, has been recently made into a movie. She relays the story behind the book, and how the movie came about, her thoughts about the premiere of the movie, and how it felt to walk the red carpet. Mitali also tells us about how she got into writing, some of her travels, and talks about the writing process for her. Its a great interview with a successful author, and very interesting person. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her, and know you will as well
A bit more about Mitali in her own words:
,"I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.
By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong characters crossing all kinds of borders, seeking community, and promoting justice."

Three Pines: Sarah Booth

Hello again Backstory fans! In this episode we bring you a second actress from the series "Three Pines",and chat with Sarah Booth. Sarah talks about getting her start in acting, working as a stunt woman at Universal Studios, and what it's like working with her husband on various film projects, along with much more. There are some great stories in this wide ranging interview, with an interesting woman who has had an equally interesting career, that you won't want to miss!
Sarah's IMDb Bio: 
Sarah Booth is a Canadian born, classically trained actor. She is a regular on the upcoming series Three Pines (Amazon Prime) from the producers of The Crown and appeared as a Guest Star on Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount+) and Heartland (CBC).Sarah trained in Montreal and continues to work on stage, including her critically acclaimed performance as Una in Blackbird. In 2018, Ms. Booth was the recipient of ACTRA's inaugural Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.Additional film and television work includes recurring roles on Y: The Last Man (FX), Helix (SYFY), The Moodys (Fox) and 21 Thunder (Netflix) as well as lead roles in Trapped (Lifetime), The Scarehouse (Universal) and the single-take feature Last Call. Sarah has appeared on American Horror Story (FX), The Bold Type (Freeform) and best-selling game Far Cry 5 (Ubisoft). Sarah was the face of President's Choice 2021 campaign in both English and French.Sarah used to save the day in Universal Studio's Waterworld live stunt show and challenges her adventurous spirit with horseback riding, running and fitness

Three Pines: Anna Tierney

Hello BackStory fans! In this episode, after we talk a bit about crime dramas, famous Canadians, and Columbo,  we sit down with the amazing actress Anna Tierney. She is an interesting person with an equally interesting backstory, who we thoroughly enjoyed chatting with. A few eclectic topics discussed: renovating houseboats, roller derby, accents, and much more. From Anna’s bio:
Anna Tierney is an English actress, born in Manchester and raised in Northolt, West London. She is the daughter of renowned actor Malcolm Tierney (Braveheart, Lovejoy, Star Wars, Poldark and the original House Of Cards) and visual artist, Andrea Tierney.
In August 2021 Anna began filming as a series regular opposite Alfred Molina in the hotly anticipated 'Three Pines' Inspector Gamache series. The stories, based on the best-selling crime novels written by Louise Penny, have been adapted for screen by Emilia Di Girolamo and can be seen on Amazon Prime.
Anna trained at the Drama Centre London and was supported through drama school through various awards and the support of actors Jeremy Irons, Ian McKellen, Kitty Aldridge, Timothy West, Ian McShane and Roger Lloyd Pack. After graduating she landed a role In the BBC's long running series 'Doctors', where she played Marianne Hartwell.
She created the show 'Skate Hard, Turn Left’ ; a devised, highly physical theatre show performed entirely on roller skates. Over intensive rehearsal periods, she trained the troupe of actors to roller skate, inspired by the sport of roller derby. Anna is a highly skilled skater in real life and played roller derby semi-professionally for 8 years with London Roller Derby. While performing in the hit international tour of the play, ‘Our Country's Good', she performed at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and then for the 25 Year anniversary at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theater. It was here she met her partner, acclaimed musician and singer Gabriel DeSantis.

Chemistry And Signs

Hello Backstory fans! It's our Post Valentines Day episode with our friends Corri Ramey, and Johnathan Stephens. Both are previous guests who talked to us about what it was like teaching during the pandemic a couple years ago, and returned later to give us updates on what they were up to a year or so later. In this episode we catch up again with each, and hear the story of how they went from coworkers to dating. While they havent been dating a long time, the conversation reveals how much they admire and care for each other, and how close they have grown in the past months. There is certainly Chemistry between them, and either through coincidence, or divine intervention, there are many signs that pointed the way to each other, as you will discover. It’s a sweet episode you will enjoy as much as we did recording it. 
PS: On occasion, the editing software does some unexpected things, and doesn’t give us the desired output. As such, there may be a few odd things you’ll notice during listening. We strive to provide quality audio, but sometimes, no matter what we do, it isn’t as good as we would like. We apologize in advance if you find this is the case. 

Guns and Dunn

Hello Backstory family! In this special pre Valentine's Day episode, we talk with our friends Monica Justice, and CW Graham. This couple met when both were least expecting to meet anyone. Monica had all but given up at finding love again after the death of her spouse, and CW had been through a few bad relationships. Yet, somehow, they found each other. Monica and CW share the sweet stories that have cemented their relationship, and are currently busy planning their upcoming wedding. Its a Valentine's Day episode full of love and we bring this to you in this heartfelt episode. Its a true testament to Monica and CW and their love for each other that we know you will find interesting, funny, and touching. 

72 Wisdoms

Hello Backstory fans! In this episode we talk with author Jeff Rasley about his book “72 Wisdoms” Jeff is a previous guest, and has written an interesting book showcasing 72 different  quotes, or sayings, some which will be familiar, and others maybe lesser known. He discusses the origins of each, the people they are attributed to, and some of his interpretations and stories that stand out about each. Backstory Sessions even gets a mention in the book. It is a very interesting read. Jeff relays a few stories about what prompted him to write the book and a funny one involving the chapter with Backstory Sessions in it. All in all a great episode with lots of insight from a man who is well travelled, and has dug alittle deeper beyond the face of things in his quest for knowledge and understanding.

Confessions of a Prairie B*tch

Hello Backstory fans! In this great episode we welcome actress, author, and stand up comedian, Alison Arngrim, who played the somewhat mean spirited and snobbish "Nellie Oleson" on the popular tv show "Little House on the Prairie".  Alison chats with us about her time on the show of course, and what it was like to play a character that people loved to hate. She wrote a book about the subject, "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" which was a New York Times Best Seller. Her one woman show of the same name has been performed around the US and Europe. She has also performed in plays, and has appeared in many movies over the years, and is a frequent guest on various tv shows often. Alison also talks about her deep roots in activism, having been involved in AIDS education and awareness, as well as child abuse prevention for many years. While the common perception of the character of "Nellie" is that of a mean girl, Alison is exactly the opposite. Her caring personality, her humor, and her willingness to talk about everything with openness and passion is proof of this. We hope you enjoy this chance to get to know Alison, and we know you will find this interview as enjoyable as we did.  

Momma Walton

Hello again Backstory fans! In this special episode we are honored to talk with 4 time Emmy award winning actress, Michael Learned. Michael played Olivia Walton, mother of the Walton clan on the series of the same name for 9 years. She has appeared in many films, tv movies, series, and soap operas over the course of her long career, and currently plays Jeffery Dahmer's grandmother in the Netflix series "Dahmer". We get a very interesting look at Michael's career, and her start in the acting business. Of course, we chat about her time on the Waltons, and being an actress on such a beloved tv show, as well as her more recent projects.  Its a great episode you don't want to miss with this legendary actress.

Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp - Britt Lightning

Welcome back Backstory fans! In this episode we present the second part of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Our guest this week is Britt Lightning. Britt is the musical director for the Fantasy Camp, and also the guitarist for the band Vixen. Britt is also participating in the upcoming all female Fantasy Camp, along side such great artists as Wynona, Vicki Peterson from the Bangles, and Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. This event takes place in Nashville on Jan 19th - 22nd. We talk at length with Britt about her career, and how she got started playing, as well as hear many stories from her time as musical director working with last week's guest, David Fishof. Its a really interesting interview we know you will enjoy as much as we did.