Bring Your Own Lunch

BYOL Episode 37 - Miranda Jonte

HEY, JONTE!  Dave sits down this week with actor/playwright Miranda Jonte (Greasemonkey, Breaking The Shakespeare Code)!  Dave met Miranda ten years ago when they were both cast in the play Shameless by Zayd Dohrn, a project that made a huge impression on both of them.  Miranda talks about that experience, her early life in Northern California, the decisions that led her to New York, and how she's channeled her efforts into creating her own work as a playwright.  It's a fun conversation recorded at the Film Society at Lincoln Center!  Plus, Dave talks about some upcoming performances (details below) and assures you he's NOT a terrorist! 
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on March 31, 2015

BYOL Episode 36 - Steve Belanger

RUNNING THE GAMUT!  This week Dave's guest is actor/writer/podcaster/comedian Steve Belanger (The Americans, It's About Time, The Gamut with Steve Belanger)!  Steve's winding career path has taken him from the corporate world to the creative.  He talks to Dave about his start in publishing, working for Penthouse Magazine and Time, Inc., and how that career never made him happy despite all the fringe benefits.  He reveals the decision that unleashed his creative side in 2001 and got him started in his entertainment career.  He also talks about working as a standup comedian, podcasting, working with huge names, and his upcoming solo show, It's About Time.  Plus, Dave talks about the value of networking and highlights a couple of groups that are bringing creative types together in NYC!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on March 24, 2015

BYOL Episode 35 - Julie Sharbutt

MOVE-ING DAY AT BYOL!  Dave's guest this week is actor/writer/director Julie Sharbutt (Moved, The Good Wife)!  A native of NYC's Greenwich Village, Julie is a dedicated and multifaceted artist.  She tells Dave about writing, directing, and starring in her first feature, Moved, and the challenges of bringing that project to life.  She also talks about growing up in Manhattan, her boarding school days, the value of her college education, the changing face of NYC, opportunities for women filmmakers, and what it really means to be cool.  Plus, Dave talks about how Reddit turned his cruddy week around!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on March 17, 2015

BYOL Episode 34 - Kevin Allison

BYOL GETS RISK-Y!  This week Dave sits down with actor/comedian/podcaster Kevin Allison (RISK!, MTV's The State), hot off the heels of Kevin's appearance on WTF with Marc Maron!  Kevin reviews his WTF experience and shares a ton of personal stuff he wasn't able to get to during his interview.  He and Dave talk about the psychology of the performer and how it relates to Kevin's personal life experience, Kevin's current relationship with the kink culture, how Grindr is changing the gay community, his unique mentoring of his RISK! guests, and the ultimatum that almost stopped RISK! before it got big!  Plus, Dave talks about how technology is making it harder and harder for artists to steal from each other.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on March 10, 2015

BYOL Episode 33 - Candice Holdorf

B-Y-O-L + S-E-X = NSFW This week Dave reaches out via Skype to chat with actor/writer/sexuality teacher Candice Holdorf (An Affirmative Act, From 6 to 9 and Beyond, The Orgasmic Life)! Candice is a graduate of the theater program at NYU, and has earned a reputation for being a bold performer who is willing to take risks. As expected, she openly talks about her early life in Georgia, her determination to go to NYU, and the trials and tribulations of life as an actor in NYC. On a more personal level, she talks about her struggle with an eating disorder, how it related to her personal life, how a chance meeting at Burning Man led her to self-discovery, and how her new life in San Francisco has given her the opportunity to find happiness and help others understand themselves through Orgasmic Meditation. Plus, Dave puts the finishing touches on his Allegiance episode, and gives a much-deserved shout-out to the Ensemble Studio Theatre!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
This episode premiered on March 3, 2015

BYOL Episode 32 - Pat Shay

IT'S PAT! Dave's guest this week is veteran actor/improvisor/teacher/coach Pat Shay (Peoples Improv Theater, iO, Second City). Pat, who has the honor of being Dave's first-ever improv coach, has studied improvisation with the biggest names in the craft -- Del Close, Charna Halpern, Mick Napier -- and has performed with just about everyone you can think of. He talks about performing as a kid in Colorado Springs, how his high school friend almost derailed his career, how Shakespeare re-sparked his interest in performing, and how a seminar with Charna Halpern changed his life. It's an in-depth look at his life pre-NYC, with some amazing insights into the Chicago improv world. Plus, Dave talks about his own improv experience, and puts a caveat on his upcoming appearance on NBC's Allegiance!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on February 24, 2015

BYOL Episode 31 - Mike Smith Rivera

EASTBOUND AND CLOWN  Dave's guest this week is Mike Smith Rivera, aka Mr. Clown, a super-talented actor and producer, and a world-traveled practitioner of the clown arts.  A native of Brooklyn, Mike trained in improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater in New York, which is how he and Dave originally met.  Mike talks about growing up as a NYC native, finding performing opportunities at a science-based school, studying drama at Syracuse University, his discovery of clown, his training with the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre, how his Mexican heritage influences his career in unexpected ways, and how he's using all of his influences to mold his acting career.  Plus, Dave talks about his upcoming co-star appearance on NBC's Allegiance, his recent industrial gig, and his first-ever estate auction!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on February 17, 2015

BYOL Episode 30 - Stian Hafstad

IT'S NORWAY OR THE HIGHWAY!  This week Dave chats with writer/director/comedian Stian Hafstad, one half of the Norwegian viral video comedy team Pistolshrimps!   In addition to his acclaimed YouTube videos, Stian is an accomplished writer and director, and is now finding success in the US.  He tells Dave about his homeland, how he met his comedy partner Christer Larsen, his first viral video, his decision to cross the Atlantic and enter Columbia University's graduate film program, winning an award at the prestigious New York Television Festival, his upcoming appearance at the Norwegian YouTube Awards, and what it's like having videos seen by millions and millions of people!  Plus, Dave talks about working with Stian in Norway on the web series STD: Oddfjord, and thanks the casting director on his newest gig!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on February 10, 2015

BYOL Episode 29 - Christina Jacquelyn Calph

MEET THE GIRL BEHIND THE BAD GIRL! This week Dave gives a call to actor/writer/producer Christina Jacquelyn Calph (Arthur, Tower Heist, Bad Girl's Ball)! Originally from a small town in Upstate NY, Christina is now attacking Los Angeles with her boundless energy and unique creativity. She tells Dave about the first time she wanted to become an actor, where she learned her greatest lessons, her early acting days in New York City, and how she's now calling her own shots as the producer of  her own YouTube channel! Plus, Dave talks about his appearance on the What's The Word? podcast, and how positive work relationships can make a huge difference.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on February 3, 2015

BYOL Episode 28 - Jeff Hiller

KING OF THE HILL-ER!  Dave's guest this week is hilarious actor/comedian Jeff Hiller (30 Rock, The McCarthys, UCB, Ghost Town)!  Jeff is currently living a bi-coastal life in LA and NY, and Dave was happy to catch him on his most recent East Coast swing!  Jeff talks about the challenges of working as a bi-coastal actor, his upbringing in Texas, his first performance experiences in NY, training with UCB, his stint on Broadway (in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), performing nude scenes in the film Ghost Town, and his recent work on the CBS series The McCarthys!  Plus, Dave explains how the Snowpocalyptageddon affected his week, how he was honored to be part of a short film script reading, and what's happening with BYOL's new Instagram page!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on January 28, 2015

BYOL Episode 27 - Chris Griggs

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY EDITION!  This week Dave chats with veteran NYC actor/comedian/improvisor Chris Griggs (Twenty Million People, TV Land, The Baldwins)!  Hailing from Memphis, TN, Chris took a scenic route to performing (much like Dave) and is now a steady presence on the NY comedy scene.  Chris talks about watching Andy Kaufman's foray into pro wrestling in Memphis, working in the advertising industry, what finally drew him into comedy, and what he feels separates improv from stand-up comedy!  Plus, Dave gives a health update and shares more thoughts on The Following on FOX!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on January 21, 2015

BYOL Episode 24 - Katharine Heller

THE LAST BYOL OF 2014!  It's podcaster-meets-podcaster as Dave sits down with actor/comedian Katharine Heller (Naked in a Fishbowl, Tell The Bartender, Keith and The Girl)!  Katharine has been on the cutting edge of audio and video podcasting since before iTunes(!)  She tells Dave about starting out as a performer, how her college improv days helped mold her career, hitting the ground running in NYC, and how performing on stage got her into the Screen Actors Guild (you read that right).  Plus, Dave marks the holiday season with a reading of the classic Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on December 24, 2014

BYOL Episode 23 - David Carl

WE DELIVER ONE OF DAVE'S FAVORITE STORIES!  This week Dave sits down with actor/comedian David Carl (Point Break Live, Gary Busey's One-Man Hamlet)!  Over the last several years, David has made himself into one of the busiest improv actors and creators in New York, with rave reviews for his recent performance as Gary Busey in the New York International Fringe Festival.  David talks about growing up the son of a Presbyterian pastor in Dallas, his path to NYC, training at UCB, how his days as Happy the Van Man made him a modern Dread Pirate Roberts, and the story that became one of Dave's favorites ever!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on December 16, 2014

BYOL Episode 22 - Marielena Logsdon

WHAT'S IN A NAME?  Dave's guest this week is actor/comedian Marielena Logsdon (Funny Or Die, UCB), star of Dave's comedy short MAN TIES!  Marielena's been working on her craft since she was a kid growing up in NYC, and has become a go-to actor for commercials, TV, film, and comedy.  She talks about getting started, her time at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, honing her comedy chops at UCB, and the recent SNL guest she graduated LaGuardia High School with! She also opens up about feminism and what it means to her, and talks openly about the ups and downs of life as an actor.  Great stuff!  Plus, Dave talks about an uncomfortable situation at a recent audition, and shares some common-sense advice that everyone should know (but clearly not all do).
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on December 10, 2014

BYOL Episode 21 - Geneva Carr

A HAND-TO-GOD GREAT GUEST!  This week Dave sits down with Broadway-bound actor Geneva Carr (Hand To God)!  Geneva has worked on everything and with everyone, and details her path from working in the financial industry to becoming one of New York's busiest actors!  She talks about breaking in, the AT&T commercials that earned her the nickname "Rollover Mom", working on the legendary Chappelle's Show, and how Hand To God went from a script reading in a basement to an upcoming run on the Great White Way!  Plus, Dave shares a phone call from a woman in Jamaica who heard he's one of the best agents in Hollywood.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on December 3, 2014