The Jay Michael Show

On this episode of The Jay Michael Show, we welcome independent filmmaker, writer, director, and producer Evan Marcewicz, the founder of Vibrolix Studios LLC. Based in New Jersey, Evan has spent more than eight years building a diverse career in film production, live media, and education, developing a reputation as a passionate storyteller dedicated to bringing original visions to the screen. As an independent filmmaker, Evan has been involved in multiple aspects of the creative process, from concept development and scriptwriting to directing and producing. His hands-on approach reflects the spirit of independent cinema, where creativity, perseverance, and innovation often drive projects from idea to completion. Through Vibrolix Studios, he continues to pursue ambitious productions while exploring new opportunities in both film and digital media. One of Evan's most notable recent achievements is the psychological horror feature film Echo Point, which he wrote, directed, and produced. The film showcases his ability to craft suspenseful narratives while creating immersive cinematic experiences that engage audiences on both emotional and psychological levels. Echo Point represents the culmination of years of experience and dedication to the art of filmmaking, demonstrating his commitment to telling compelling stories through the medium of film. Beyond filmmaking itself, Evan's background in live media and education has provided him with a unique perspective on storytelling, communication, and audience engagement. His experiences working across multiple disciplines have helped shape a creative philosophy that values both technical excellence and meaningful human connection. Whether behind the camera, in the editing room, or collaborating with cast and crew, he brings a versatile skill set and a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking. During this conversation on The Jay Michael Show, Evan discusses his journey into the film industry, the challenges and rewards of independent filmmaking, the creative process behind Echo Point, and what it takes to bring a feature-length project from concept to completion. He also shares insights into the evolving world of independent cinema and offers a look at the exciting new projects currently in development through Vibrolix Studios. Join us for an engaging discussion with a filmmaker whose passion for storytelling continues to drive his creative pursuits and whose work demonstrates the power of independent film to captivate, challenge, and inspire audiences. Website: www.vibrolixstudios.com Imdb: Evan Marcewicz - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16521369/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Evan%2520Marcew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emarcewicz/ ©The Jay Michael Show

In the deep forests of North America—where mist settles low over cedar groves and silence hangs between the trees—there are stories. Stories passed from Indigenous elders to frontier settlers, from seasoned hunters to modern outdoorsmen. Stories of something large. Something intelligent. Something that does not quite fit into the known catalog of North American wildlife. For most, these stories remain folklore. For Tim E. Cassidy, they became a lifelong calling. Tim E. Cassidy stands at the intersection of science and mystery. A trained Naturalist and Wildlife Biologist, Cassidy has spent decades studying ecosystems, animal behavior, tracking patterns, and environmental systems with a disciplined, evidence-based approach. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.e.cassidy Movie: https://youtu.be/jBQ6Fn6aQAU?si=a1XgYLQfSZ10cGqZ©Jay Michael ShowWatch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/vjHB81Px1Ys

Native American Music Award winner, Randy McGinnis is a passionate advocate of Native American flute music. Randy is of Cherokee decent. He grew up in Southern Ohio where he learned the values, traditions, and language of his native culture. His ancestors left North Carolina prior to the Trail of Tears and settled in Kentucky before eventually moving into Southern Ohio. The songs he plays on his Native American flute are from the old songs he grew up listening to as a small boy. Randy's style of playing has been described as “playing from the heart.” Randy recorded in his own studio, Deer Star Productions, which he founded in 2008. In addition to solo performances, he has performed with other flutists, violinists, cellists, guitarists, and many other instruments. Randy is passionate about passing on the traditional skills of playing the Native American Flute. He has taught thousands of adults and children the joy of this beautiful instrument. Along with the Smokey Mountain Flute Circle in Townsend, Tennessee, Randy founded a school program called Ancient Voices. This program taught underprivileged children, both Native American and non-native, to play the flute. Each child was given a flute of their own to take home. Website: https://randymcginnis.com/ Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/randy-mcginnis/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randy__mcginnis/ Albums: https://tinyurl.com/3syscytb(c) Jay Michael ShowWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ioPHlJ3TlTk

Christopher Jordan is the Founder & CEO of Curious Research. He and I have attended and been featured speakers at many UFO and paranormal events as well as Chris handling the electronics and videography at such events. Chris is very knowlagble of paranormal and UFO / UAP topics and is sought after for his scientific approach to such subjects. Curious Research is an independent research organization dedicated to the serious investigation of paranormal phenomena, cryptozoological encounters, and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). Founded by researcher, broadcaster, and field investigator Christopher Jordan, Curious Research serves as a central hub for data collection, research collaboration, and public education in the realm of the unexplained. At the heart of Curious Research is the belief that open-minded inquiry and methodical observation are essential to understanding the hidden truths of our world. Through its digital tools and analog resources—such as the pioneering Field Observation and Encounter Log—Curious Research empowers investigators, researchers, and enthusiasts to document their experiences with scientific rigor and consistency. In addition to its field data efforts, Curious Research works in tandem with the Curious Realm podcast and other partner projects to bring awareness to fringe science, alternative history, and emerging disclosures. Curious Research strives to push the boundaries of traditional research by bridging the gap between skepticism and belief, creating space for dialogue, discovery, and deeper understanding. Whether you're a seasoned investigator or a curious newcomer, Curious Research invites you to explore, document, and contribute to the ever-expanding map of the unknown. Website: https://curiousresearch.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.jordan.336 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@curiousrealm©Jay Michael ShowWatch This Episode On YouTube! https://youtu.be/GfGatEwR_GI

Kenneth Thompson is an award-winning music educator, pianist, and entrepreneur whose influence spans performance, pedagogy, and arts leadership. He is the founder and CEO of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, Inc. (MACSA)—one of Texas's largest and most respected community music schools, serving more than 1,200 students with a faculty of over 49 teachers. A passionate advocate for artistic excellence and human potential, Kenneth has received numerous honors, including the Texas Music Teachers Association's Pre-Collegiate Teacher of the Year Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Leadership in Education Award from Musical Bridges Around the World. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Nelita True and Anton Nel, and he has been featured in articles about music business and teaching in publications such as USA Today, Success.com, Rolling Stone UK, and NYWeekly. Website: https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.com/faculty-and-staff/ken-thompson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ken.creativecoach/ As Podcast Host: Journeys: a MACSA Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@MACSAinc/podcasts ©Jay Michael Show Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/MNtdqa4L63c

This week's guest is indie author Nicole Mikell. Nicole shares her experience as a new indie writer. Mikell describes learning to navigate the indie publishing world, from formating the files to get them ready for publication, to getting feedback from alpha and beta readers and her editor, to sending the advance ready copies, to releasing the book for publication. Another part of being an indie author is marketing her books. Besides friends and family, she has a street team that helps her with promoting her book on social media and getting her book in the hands of more readers. Her debut novel, Baby It's You, was published earlier this year, and centers on Jane, Olive and Hunter. The second book in the series, Can't Hurry Love, will be released in December 2025. Can't Hurry Love showcases Ivy, Olive's best friend, Lee and Donovan. The series takes place in the small fictional town of Clairesville in Tennessee. These are interconnected stand-alone books. Some characters from book one pop up in book two. Mikell explains that her plan is to have a five-book series based in Clairesville. She is currently working on book three. Starting as a kid who wrote stories to share with her family, to now being a published indie author, Nicole Mikell has come a long way! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicolemikellauthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.mattingly.311 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@nicolemikellauthor Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0FH76LVFG/about ©Jay Michael Show Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/WzIN1C2EwGs

Stephanie Tomlinson says, Being a published writer has always been one of my dreams. When I was younger, I loved books because they offered an escape from reality—an adventure, or mystery, and of course, romance. I promised myself that one day there would be a book out there with my name on the cover. One that made readers feel the way I did. I'm so proud to have made that dream a reality. My ideal Heaven is at home with my son and incredible husband (and best friend) of 24 years on our hobby farm, complete with dogs, chickens, an orchard, and a greenhouse. I enjoy the tranquility of nature and love a good thunderstorm. I enjoy writing stories with strong female characters. Women who've often been through devastating experiences yet survived to find their happy ending. Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DPWTST7R?ccs_id=ac66e526-1681-480f-8d5d-a8bfadfbb631 Website: https://stephanietomlinson.ca/#stephanie-tomlinson-home Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthstephtom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562962304748 ©Jay Michael Show Watch this episode on Youtube! https://youtu.be/IjjbW58AlIU

Lauren Minear's voice—reminiscent of Natalie Merchant, Dido, and Maggie Rogers—delivers raw emotion, while her lyrics, likened to Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLachlan, cut straight to the soul. She is a unique artist with a gift for translating human experience into sound. In the words of multi-platinum songwriter, Andrea Stolpe, “[Lauren has] the ability to make the most difficult experiences relatable”. Originally from Nashville, now living in New York, songwriting was Minear's first love in life. She spent her childhood immersed in music, memorizing lyrics to Eric Clapton, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, and Garth Brooks songs on long family drives to visit her grandparents in New Orleans. She wrote her first song at the age of fourteen, and recorded an EP (unreleased) with George Marinelli, longtime guitarist for Bonnie Raitt. She was mentored by some of Nashville's leading songwriters, and even sat in the studio with Steve Earle during his Jerusalem sessions. Needless to say, music is in Minear's blood. Since her debut in 2022, in addition to building a worldwide fanbase, Minear has shared the stage with legendary singer-songwriter Pete Yorn and rising star, Cassandra Lewis. She has performed in legendary venues, including The Bitter End (NYC), and The Basement (Nashville). Her gift for songwriting has been recognized by international songwriting competitions, and Ben Folds himself, who handpicked her for his exclusive songwriting retreat. She has released a charity single benefitting gun violence prevention efforts in the United States, and she has collaborated with many of New York's finest musicians. In short, Minear is brimming with raw talent, and she is just getting started. Website: https://laurenminearmusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenminearmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenminearmusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5nnohGTyoGL4ZCcudNki7A Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4XJIcAZWSuYDyuoq-xc47w ©Jay Michael ShowWatch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/fam8HTfWYVs