IN THE ROOM - The Cast Station
by IN THE ROOM - The Cast Station
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Est. Listeners
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- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
10,001 - 25,000 - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
25,001 - 75,000 - Active Followers
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5,001 - 15,000
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
Lauren Noll & Dalia Rooni on Making an Indie Film From Nothing | SXSW Feature Breakdown
Apr 8, 2026
Unknown duration
John Valley: From Small-Town Iowa to SXSW, The Pizzagate Massacre & Indie Filmmaking
Mar 17, 2026
Unknown duration
Anne Hollister on Producing “Mattress Mack,” Financing Indie Films & Navigating Sexism in Hollywood
Mar 5, 2026
Unknown duration
Elizabeth Tabish on The Chosen, Casting Pressure, and Claiming Your Own Voice
Jan 26, 2026
Unknown duration
Casting a Documentary: Character, Access, and the Edit Bay, with Kelly Lipscomb
Jan 12, 2026
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8/26 | Lauren Noll & Dalia Rooni on Making an Indie Film From Nothing | SXSW Feature Breakdown | What does it really take to make a feature film when you don’t have the system behind you?In this episode, SXSW filmmakers Lauren Noll and Dalia Rooni share how Same Same But Different came together, from early concept to production, through persistence, unconventional problem-solving, and complete creative ownership.This is a conversation about building momentum when nothing is guaranteed, and why creating your own work is often the only way forward. | — | ||||||
| 3/17/26 | John Valley: From Small-Town Iowa to SXSW, The Pizzagate Massacre & Indie Filmmaking | Filmmaker John Valley joins In the Room to share his journey from a small town in Iowa to premiering films at SXSW, and what it really takes to build a career in independent film.He breaks down the making of The Pizzagate Massacre, how the film went from festival rejection to viral controversy, and how self-distribution, SEO, and timing changed everything.The conversation also dives into his latest project, American Dollhouse, a psychological horror film, along with lessons on raising money, navigating the industry without connections, and creating work that actually gets seen.This episode is an honest look at indie filmmaking, creative risk, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and make the film anyway. | — | ||||||
| 3/5/26 | Anne Hollister on Producing “Mattress Mack,” Financing Indie Films & Navigating Sexism in Hollywood | Anne Hollister—actress, writer, and producer at Happy Bad Bungalow—joins In the Room to discuss her evolution from Broadway performer to independent film producer.Anne shares the six-year journey of bringing Mattress Mack to life, the realities of financing independent films, and what it takes to build a production company from the ground up. She opens up about stepping away from representation to focus on writing, developing her thriller The Housesitter, and navigating the microaggressions and systemic bias that still exist for women in Hollywood.The conversation explores:• The actor-to-producer transition• Indie film financing and attaching talent• Why female-led stories are still labeled “unrelatable”• Manifestation as creative inspiration• Building community in film and televisionThis episode offers an honest look at persistence, authorship, and claiming creative control in a shifting industry. | — | ||||||
| 1/26/26 | Elizabeth Tabish on The Chosen, Casting Pressure, and Claiming Your Own Voice | Elizabeth Tabish, renowned for portraying Mary Magdalene on The Chosen, joins In the Room for an unfiltered conversation about casting, ambition, and staying human inside a business that constantly evaluates you.She reflects on growing up in Oklahoma, building a career through commercials and indie work in Austin, and the psychological wear of auditions, self tapes, and the approval cycle. Elizabeth opens up about the moment she stepped back to protect her health, and how The Chosen arrived at the exact intersection of her life and craft. The conversation also explores women’s creative authority, why making your own work matters, and how platforms like YouTube and the internet are reshaping who gets to be heard.A grounded, revealing episode about artistry, survival, and choosing your own voice. | — | ||||||
| 1/12/26 | Casting a Documentary: Character, Access, and the Edit Bay, with Kelly Lipscomb | A bluefin tuna leaves cold Nova Scotia waters and ends at a sushi table in Tokyo, and along the way, Bite to Bite reveals the human machinery behind one of the world’s most coveted fish. Director Kelly Lipscomb joins In the Room to talk about making a documentary that lets the audience feel first, then decide what they believe.We dig into the real “casting” of non-fiction, how you find characters worth following, how you earn trust, and why the edit is where the story finally confesses itself. Kelly also breaks down the practical truth of funding, why commercial work often keeps passion projects alive, and what it takes to keep your creative integrity intact while still building a sustainable career.Bite to Bite received an Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature at the 2025 Austin Film Festival. | — | ||||||
| 12/19/25 | Andrew Davies Gaines: Telling the Truth About a Vegas Legend | On this episode of In the Room, casting director John Williams sits down with filmmaker Andrew Davies Gaines to talk about Voices, his deeply personal documentary about his father and Las Vegas legend, Danny Gans.Andrew shares how a career ending shoulder injury cut short his path in professional baseball and led him toward acting, writing, producing, and finally directing his own work. Together, he and John explore what it means to turn family history into cinema, how to handle sensitive truths about someone you love, and the realities of chronic pain, performance pressure, and responsibility at the top of the Vegas entertainment world.Listeners will hear:• The rise of Danny Gans, from corporate arenas to the biggest room in Las Vegas• How Andrew moved from athlete to actor to producer to director• The emotional challenge of putting himself on camera as the subject’s son• The editing choices that kept Voices from becoming a simple tribute piece• How understanding his father’s failures changed Andrew’s own relationship to ambitionIn the Room offers a rare look at legacy, craft, and the quiet spaces where art and family collide. | — | ||||||
| 12/2/25 | Inside the Art of Filmmaking with Steven Bernstein: Cinematography, Collaboration, and Creative Freedom | Steven Bernstein sits with John Williams, Heather Kofka, and Christopher Shea for a luminous, craft-first conversation on the art of filmmaking. Bernstein traces his path from cinematography to the director’s chair, reflecting on Monster, Last Call, Decoding Annie Parker, White Chicks, Half Baked, SWAT, and Blade, and why the most enduring work begins with human chemistry.They unpack the family that forms on set, the ache of wrap day, and how to protect performance when time and money press in. Bernstein explains why intuition often beats orthodoxy, how executives chase safety while art asks for risk, and why story should serve character, not the other way around. He shares practical tools for actors and directors, from freeing marks and lighting to invite truth, to building backstory that unlocks authentic choices.The table dives into post control, color grading, and the quiet power of tone, then pivots to Bernstein’s novel GRQ and its meta leap to the screen. It is a talk about collaboration, presence, courage, and the strange alchemy that turns effort into feeling. If you love the work behind the work, this one is a masterclass that hums with lived experience.Keywords: Steven Bernstein, filmmaking, cinematography, directing, acting craft, color grading, creative process, indie film, Monster, Last Call, Decoding Annie Parker, GRQ, John Williams, Heather Kofka, Christopher Shea, In the Room | — | ||||||
| 11/17/25 | Todd Rohal & Tipper Newton on “F My Son,” Cult Cinema, and The DIY Theatrical Play | Writer-director Todd Rohal and actor-filmmaker Tipper Newton join us to unpack the wild ride of “F My Son,” from adapting a taboo comic into a kinetic midnight movie to crafting practical effects with Robert Kurtzman. We discuss casting at the edges, protecting a child actor on set, navigating love-it or hate-it reactions, and why they chose a slow, theater-first rollout instead of streaming. Tipper shares the story behind her award-winning short “Wildcard” and plans for the feature. A candid conversation about risk, tone, and keeping creativity sovereign in a numbers-driven industry.Key Topics:• From transgressive comic to cinematic romp• Practical effects, performance under prosthetics• Festival premieres, audience response, review culture• Ethics and logistics when working with a minor• Booking a theater-only release city by city• Tipper’s “Wildcard,” music, and making your own path | — | ||||||
| 10/20/25 | Inside Leads: How Bryan Poyser, Heather Kafka & Justin Arnold Turned Instinct Into a Tribeca Hit | When writer-director Bryan Poyser decided to make a feature over winter break—with no finished script and a team of students—he had no idea it would premiere at Tribeca Film Festival.In this episode of In the Room, host John Williams sits down with Poyser and actors Heather Kafka (The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights) and Justin Arnold (Spike Jonze’s Scenes from the Suburbs) to unpack how Leads came to life through collaboration, improvisation, and creative trust.They discuss:Building a feature film without a scriptBalancing creative ambition with real life and financial limitsThe power of collaboration between directors, actors, and studentsFinding purpose and joy in the process—not just the resultAn inspiring, candid conversation about risk, artistic integrity, and rediscovering love for the craft.🎬 Leads premiered at Tribeca 2025 and screens next at the Hollywood Park Film Festival and Austin Film Festival. | — | ||||||
| 10/6/25 | From Napkin Deal to A&E Series: Inside The Mother Flip with Kristy Etheredge & Rebecca Franchione | A&E’s The Mother Flip is equal parts grit, design, and disciplined budgets. Best friends Kristy Etheredge and Rebecca Franchione take us inside the real playbook: sourcing distressed Hill Country properties, structuring all-cash deals, controlling scope, and sequencing trades to hit aggressive timelines. They explain how the show was sold, why every house is different, and how they manage contractors, permits, inspections, and materials without losing margin. We talk origin story (a literal napkin deal), learning the business from the ground up with contractor Roy Salinas, and the moments that proved the model works—new builds completed in 9–16 weeks and flips that moved in days. If you care about real estate ROI, design that sells, and production reality vs. reality TV, this one is a blueprint.Topics: deal structure, budget allocation, permitting flow, trade scheduling, design decisions that move offers, managing risk on fast timelines, selling the show, and building a brand beyond the series.Watch The Mother Flip: A&E Saturdays 9:00 a.m. CT; Hulu + Live TV Sundays; season on Amazon. | — | ||||||
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| 9/23/25 |  Owning Your IP in the Age of AI with Nirav Murthy (Camp Network) | In this episode of In the Room, John Williams and guest co-host Joe Brundage sit down with Nirav Murthy, co-founder and co-CEO of Camp Network, to explore the future of intellectual property in the era of AI and blockchain.Nirav breaks down how Camp Network is building infrastructure at the intersection of AI and IP, why blockchain matters for provenance and royalties, and how creators, actors, and producers can protect and monetize their work as AI models evolve.We cover:The copyright fights ahead between AI and creatorsBlockchain for provenance and micro-royalty distributionTokenizing IP, capital formation, and “provable fandom”AI-native content and what it means for actors, writers, musiciansWhy proof of humanity will matter in the next wave of media | — | ||||||
| 9/4/25 | The Untold Story of 67 Bombs to Enid with Ty McMahan & Brandon Kobs | In this episode of In the Room, hosts John Williams and Heather Kofka welcome filmmaker Ty McMahan and producer Brandon Kobs, the team behind the powerful new documentary 67 Bombs to Enid. With legendary documentarian Errol Morris as executive producer, the film sheds light on the Marshallese community in Enid, Oklahoma, displaced by U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific, and the ongoing legacy of that history.Ty and Brandon share how they uncovered the story, the challenges of balancing human focus with historical scale, and why the film has already caught the attention of the United Nations. The conversation also explores Oklahoma’s growing role in film production and the importance of local storytelling with global impact.In the Room is where directors, writers, producers, and actors reveal what really goes on in casting and storytelling. | — | ||||||
| 8/18/25 | Clay Liford: Indie Film Lessons, Coverage Secrets & The Future of Distribution | Filmmaker and cinematographer Clay Liford (Earthling, Wuss, Slash) joins In the Room to share candid insights from a career in indie film. Clay reflects on his path from SXSW premieres to teaching film, why coverage is the most misunderstood part of directing, and how embracing happy accidents can change your filmmaking.He also unpacks the challenges of modern distribution and output deals, offers perspective on AI’s impact on editing, and previews his upcoming dark comedy The Texas High School Regional Theater Festival Murders. Plus, we explore his new education initiative Those Who Do, designed to bring working filmmakers into the classroom.A must-listen episode for anyone passionate about independent filmmaking, cinematography, and the future of the industry. | — | ||||||
| 7/25/25 | Inside Osiris: How William Kaufman Brought Sci-Fi Carnage to Life | This week, director William Kaufman (The Channel, Daylight’s End) returns to In the Room to discuss his newest release: Osiris—a gritty sci-fi thriller that’s part Aliens, part Black Hawk Down, and 100% badass.He’s joined by producer Christian Sosa to break down how they:Shot massive firefights on an indie budgetCreated terrifying practical aliensLanded Linda Hamilton for a critical roleTurned a New Orleans soundstage into a spaceshipPulled off some of the best creature effects of 2025Osiris is now available to stream. Catch the chaos, then come behind the scenes with the people who made it happen.Directed by William KaufmanStarring Max Martini, Brianna Hildebrand, LaMonica Garrett, Linda Hamilton | — | ||||||
| 7/14/25 | Jessica Daniels on the Art (and Business) of Casting | This week In the Room, Emmy-winning casting director Jessica Daniels joins us to pull back the curtain on one of the most essential—but misunderstood—roles in film and TV. From The 40-Year-Old Version to Will Trent, Jessica has cast some of the most nuanced and compelling projects of the last two decades. We talk about her days at Disney and Fox, how casting has changed post-pandemic, and what separates a good audition from a great one. Whether you’re an actor, producer, or just curious how your favorite shows get made—this is a must-listen. | — | ||||||
| 6/16/25 | Jaime Schwarz on the Future of IP, Music Rights, and the Coming Creator Economy | Jaime Schwarz has helped over 100 brands speak for themselves—but now, he’s building something bigger.From co-founding seven startups to inventing a patent for self-authenticating media, Jaime is a true pioneer in the next chapter of content creation. In this episode, he joins John Williams In the Room to break down how blockchain, remix rights, and smart contracts are giving power back to creators—and why the service economy is giving way to the IP economy.If you’re a filmmaker, artist, or digital creator, this is the conversation you need to hear. | — | ||||||
| 6/2/25 | Christopher Shea: Indie Film Fixer, Storytelling Lifeline, and Austin's Creative Engine | Filmmaker and creative producer Christopher Shea steps In the Room to reflect on the twists, pivots, and passion projects that have defined his multi-decade career in indie film, TV, and theater. From directing Berlin-premiering shorts to fixing chaotic sets, Shea unpacks what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in the creative trenches.We talk about:The realities of being a fixer in indie productionThe Austin days of DIY theater and sketch collectivesWorking with today’s rising stars before they broke outThe emotional and logistical cost of being an ADWhy story—not stardom—sells abroadThis is a raw and energizing conversation about creativity, commitment, and the community that makes it all possible. | — | ||||||
| 5/19/25 | Alyson Silverberg: The Architect Behind the Cast of Jane the Virgin, Greek, and More | Award-winning casting director Alyson Silverberg joins John to reflect on a career spanning two decades and some of television’s most beloved series. From Jane the Virgin to Greek, Alyson has built iconic ensembles and discovered fresh talent with a sharp eye and heart-led intuition.They dive into:What it really takes to cast a hit showHow the audition process has evolved from VHS tapes to ZoomThe emotional stakes of testing actors for life-changing rolesThe impact of AI, shifting platforms, and the unknown future of castingWhy human connection still winsWhether you're an actor, producer, or industry fan, this is a masterclass in the art—and heart—of casting. | — | ||||||
| 5/5/25 | Chelsea Christer: In the Room with the Director Behind Sundance’s Dark Comedy Standout | On this episode of In the Room, Sundance filmmaker Chelsea Christer joins John and Heather to share the wild true story that inspired her dark comedy short Out for Delivery. From a real-life medical shipping disaster to shooting the film in just two days, Chelsea reveals how she brought her sharp, satirical vision to life with zero budget and total heart.We talk casting, making art with your community, and staying true to your voice when Hollywood comes knocking. In the Room is your backstage pass to the world of casting and storytelling—this is one of our most honest and inspiring conversations yet. | — | ||||||
| 4/21/25 | Inside the Room: Chris Folkens on Improvised Filmmaking and the Power of Why | What does it take to direct a sci-fi thriller with no script, no studio, and just 8 days of filming? In this week’s episode, John sits down with filmmaker Chris Folkens, whose debut feature Catalyst is turning heads in the indie world.Shot guerrilla-style with an ensemble cast improvising every scene, Catalyst is more than a film—it’s a mirror to society, challenging everything from ego to identity. Chris shares the 9-year journey behind the film, how he raised money in phases, the choice to avoid studio interference, and why trusting your instinct is everything in independent filmmaking.If you’ve ever dreamed of making a movie, this is the episode you need to hear.Watch Catalyst now on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.🎬 Guest: Chris Folkens, Writer/Director of Catalyst📍 Hosted by: John Williams🎙 Produced by: In the Room🔗 YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ZPAOP8tHJeE | — | ||||||
| 4/7/25 | In the Room with Luca Pizzoleo: How to Go Viral Without Selling Out | Award-winning indie filmmaker Luca Pizzoleo joins casting director John Williams In the Room to reveal how he bypassed traditional Hollywood and built a massive audience online. With viral shorts like OCD (1M+ views on YouTube, 17M+ on social), 70+ awards, and features in Variety and NYT, Luca is reshaping how films are made, funded, and seen.We dive into:Using TikTok to launch a directing careerMaking powerful films on shoestring budgetsThe new rules of building audience-first filmmakingWhy the future of indie film lives onlineIf you’re a filmmaker, creative, or storytelling junkie—this one’s for you. | — | ||||||
| 3/24/25 | In the Room with the Filmmakers of MOLA: A Tibetan Tale of Love, Loss, and Legacy | Filmmakers Yangzom Brauen and Martin Brauen join us In the Room to talk about their powerful new documentary, MOLA: A Tibetan Story of Love and Loss, which premiered at SXSW. The film follows Yangzom’s 100-year-old grandmother, a Buddhist nun exiled from Tibet, whose final wish is to return to her homeland to die.What unfolds is an intimate exploration of exile, faith, aging with dignity, and the complex bond between a mother and daughter. We talk about the challenges of filming a deeply personal story across three generations, capturing private moments on camera, and the unexpected turns that shaped the documentary.This is an unforgettable conversation about storytelling, legacy, and love at the end of life.Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TdHfKQA6Wpc?si=rvozE2kB9UCjQPA4Learn more about the film: molafilm.com | — | ||||||
| 2/17/25 | William Tyler Wiseman on Moonwater and the Reality of Indie Filmmaking | Filmmaking is evolving, and independent creators are redefining the industry. In this episode of In The Room Podcast, host John Williams sits down with writer-director William Tyler Wiseman and actor Michael Joplin to discuss the journey of making Moonwater, an indie film that explores family, addiction, and small-town survival.They discuss the challenges of bringing an independent film to life, from funding and production to the struggles of film distribution and navigating the festival circuit. Moonwater is more than just a movie—it’s a testament to the dedication and creativity required to make films outside of the Hollywood system.Topics covered in this episode:The realities of independent filmmaking and breaking into the industryHow they funded and produced Moonwater without studio backingThe challenges of distribution and getting an indie film seenThe personal connection behind Moonwater and why the story mattersThe role of acting and storytelling in bringing independent films to lifeIn The Room Podcast brings you inside the minds of filmmakers, actors, and creatives who are shaping the future of storytelling.Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZPAOP8tHJeE | — | ||||||
| 2/3/25 | How Angeline Walsh Made a Period Piece for Just $10K | In The Room by The Cast Station | How Angeline Walsh Made a Period Piece for Just $10K & Broke Into StreamingWhat does it take to bring a Victorian-era dark comedy to life with almost no budget? Writer & filmmaker Angeline Walsh joins In The Room by The Cast Station to share her seven-year journey creating The Coroner’s Assistant—an independently funded, self-distributed series that’s now streaming on Tubi, Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime.From rewriting roles last-minute to turning historical locations into 19th-century England—all while leading an all-female creative team—Walsh’s journey is a masterclass in independent filmmaking.💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:🎥 The 7-Year Indie Film Journey of The Coroner’s Assistant💰 How She Made a Period Piece on a $10K Budget🎭 Casting, Directing, and Producing Without Studio Backing🛠️ The Secrets Behind Indie Film Distribution & Getting on Tubi🚀 What’s Next for The Coroner’s Assistant & Season 2🎟️ Watch The Coroner’s Assistant → Tubi (Free), Apple, Google & Amazon🔔 Subscribe to In The Room by The Cast Station for more deep dives into the world of indie filmmaking!📌 Follow & Connect With Us:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBt5vlTpK88/📺 YouTube:www.youtube.com/@TCSInTheRoomPodcast | — | ||||||
| 11/13/24 | IN THE ROOM - AMERICAN SPIRIT | 🎙️ In The Room – Next Episode! Get ready to dive into American Spirit, the compelling story of Melody and Jonathan, two exes navigating old wounds and new relationships after a surprise reunion. This film explores the complexities of love, self-discovery, and the moments that force us to reexamine our past. Joining us are the creative forces behind the film: Christopher Yates (Director/Writer), a skilled filmmaker from Alabama with a passion for crafting authentic stories. Yasmeen Tori Fletcher (Ms. Marvel), who brings depth to Melody’s journey of self-reflection. Cooper Roth (The Middle), starring as Jonathan, a college student grappling with unfinished business. Mackinlee Waddell (GCB), who lights up the screen as Riley. Don't miss this conversation on storytelling, performance, and the heart of American Spirit. #InTheRoomPodcast #AmericanSpiritFilm #ChristopherYates #YasmeenToriFletcher #CooperRoth #MackinleeWaddell | — | ||||||
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1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
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