Episodes

  • Jarod Joseph from Calgary, Alberta

    Jarod Joseph from Calgary, Alberta
    Mar 27 2023

    We’re going back to Canada to talk with actor Jarod Joseph (Once Upon A Time, The 100, The Christmas Checklist), as we dive into his upbringing in Calgary, Alberta. Jarod discusses why Calgary is the “Texas of Canada,” explains his problems in high school and how they sent him on a path to acting, and geeks out about good memories at the Calgary Stampede. Don’t worry, Oncers, we discuss his role of Billy the Mechanic/Gus Gus the Mouse on ABC’s Once Upon A Time too. PLUS: Jarod’s thoughts on Michael Keaton’s return to the role of Batman.

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    LINKS
    Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
    Where I'm From YouTube Channel
    Jarod Joseph on IMDB
    Jarod Joseph on Instagram
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Iyaz Akhtar from Queens, New York

    Iyaz Akhtar from Queens, New York
    Mar 13 2023

    Geek out with Iyaz Akhtar, host of This Old Nerd/former host on TWiT.tv and CNET, as we dive into his upbringing in Queens. Discover how he developed his critical thinking skills at a Catholic school and how he became a tech enthusiast, including his love for the early days of the internet with CompuServe, America Online, and a healthy appriciation for Teri Hatcher's place in history. And let's not forget about his swerve into the tech world after studying to be a lawyer in Boston! This episode is packed with fascinating insights and Iyaz's infectious enthusiasm for all things tech.

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    LINKS
    Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
    Where I'm From YouTube Channel
    This Old Nerd
    Finite Comedy
    Iyaz on Twitter
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • September McCrady from Lockport, New York

    September McCrady from Lockport, New York
    Feb 22 2023

    Meet September McCrady, aka NineOf12, my former partner on the America’s Next Top Podcaster reality competition and co-creator of the original Where I’m From Pilot. We'll dive into September's unique upbringing in upstate New York. From art class with Mr. Raymond and exploring the woods, to memories of Lockport Mall, September shares what she loves about Lockport, Buffalo, and where she is now. Don't miss an in-depth interview with Where I’m From’s “mommy.” PLUS: Biking with The Talking Head’s David Byrne.

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    LINKS
    Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
    Where I'm From YouTube Channel
    September/Nineof12's Personal Site
    America's Next Top Podcaster
    Where I'm From Pilot
    Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
    Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
    Lockport Mall
    Runnings Sporting Goods
    Lockport Cave Tours
    La Nova, The Best Wings In Buffalo


    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00:00 Intro
    00:01:16 The Where I'm From Pilot episode with Ali Spagnola
    00:02:01 Lockport's Vibe
    00:02:42 - Hanging Out In The Woods
    00:05:40 - The KISS Army
    00:06:14 - Playing Dungeons and Dragons
    00:06:33 Growing Up Near Niagra Falls
    00:07:03 - Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
    00:07:25 - Burger King Pokemon Key Chains
    00:07:33 - Love At The Candian Border
    00:08:30 - Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
    00:09:13 - Immigrating From Canada
    00:10:29 - Clifton Hill
    00:10:44 - Maid of The Mist
    00:12:14 Mr. Raymond's Art Lessons at St. Mary's
    00:13:36 - Man of La Mancha
    00:14:26 - Getting Involved In Politics
    00:16:04 - Working On A Political Campaign With David Byrne
    00:19:05 Wheel of Anecdotes
    00:22:18 Streann Studio Ad Read
    00:24:01 Lockport Mall
    00:25:10 - Runnings Sporting Goods
    00:25:24 A Hunting Trip, Denied
    00:31:40 Lockport Cave Tours
    00:34:10 The Politics of New York State
    00:35:48 Growing Up In The Snow
    00:37:51 - September Can't Eat SpaghettiOs
    00:38:34 From Lockport to Buffalo
    00:39:57 - Studying Theater
    00:41:06 - Ani Defranco At The Poetry Slam
    00:42:45 A Shared Love of Karaoke
    00:44:28 Looking Back At Lockport
    00:46:28 The Best Wings In Buffalo
    00:46:43 - La Nova
    00:47:50 Outro
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    50 mins
  • More Bert Is Evil!

    More Bert Is Evil!
    Feb 14 2023

    After my interview with Dino Ignacio blew up last week and became the most popular episode of Where I'm From by far, I thought new listeners would be interested in the other versions of the Bert Is Evil story I’ve told over the years. Dial up for even more internet nostalgia, coming up...

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    LINKS
    Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
    Where I'm From YouTube Channel
    Dino Ignacio
    The Original Bert Is Evil Website
    Bert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit by Bill Meeks
    Old Wide Web Episode 1 -- The Muppets Take Bangladesh (Podcast)

    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00:00 Intro
    00:01:23 Old Wide Web - The Muppets Take Bangladesh
    00:17:18 Streann Studio Ad Read
    00:19:20 Bert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit
    00:42:54 Outro
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    44 mins
  • Dino Ignacio from the Old Wide Web

    Dino Ignacio from the Old Wide Web
    Feb 7 2023
    Meet Dino Ignacio, the creator of the infamous 90s website Bert Is Evil. We'll dive into Dino's unique upbringing on the internet and recall the exciting early days of the World Wide Web. From connecting to CompuServe and exploring the BBS scene, to creating the first internet meme and winning a Webby Award, Dino takes us on a journey through the democratization of content. Don't miss this episode as we delve into the historical significance of the first meme with internet pioneer Dino Ignacio. PLUS: How Bert Is Evil influenced a conflict half a world away. SPONSORED BYSUBSCRIBEApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazonRSSYouTube (Live Streams)YouTube (Episodes) LINKSFull Uncut Interview (Livestream)Where I'm From YouTube ChannelDino IgnacioThe Original Bert Is Evil WebsiteBert Is Evil: The True Story Behind the Web's First Viral Hit by Bill MeeksOld Wide Web Episode 1 -- The Muppets Take Bangladesh (Podcast)CompuServeThe CompuServe Comics and Animation Forum AwardsGeocitiesFark.comFractalCow mirrorMr. T Ate My Balls on The Old Wide WebBraindom: We Can Defeat Brain TogetherInternet Underground Magazine ArchiveWebby AwardsBert Is Evil on the Webby Awards siteDino's Last Message on Bert Is EvilTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 Intro00:02:14 Even Nerds Have Tech Problems00:03:09 Clip from Internet Superstar with Martin Sargent00:03:32 Dino on The Old Wide Web00:05:07 Getting Online In Manila00:05:59 - Growing Up Under Marshall Law00:06:21 - Enter The World Wide Web00:07:07- Connecting To CompuServe00:09:44- The BBS Scene and Legends of the Red Dragon00:10:15- The Compuserve Comics and Animation Forums00:11:05 Why The Early Internet Was So Exciting00:11:34 - Geocities00:11:38 - Fark.com00:11:44 - Rotten.com00:12:09 FractalCow.com00:12:48 - Zines and Poetry00:13:25 - The Early Days Of Viral Content00:15:44 - Mr. T Ate My Balls00:16:08 Bert Is Evil00:18:07 - Braindom: We Can Defeat Brain Together Tripod Site00:19:40 - Bert Is Evil Goes Viral00:20:09 - Internet Underground Magazine00:20:18 - Winning A Webby Award00:20:48 - The Muppets Take Bangladesh00:23:55 - The 1998 Webby Awards00:26:58 Streann Studio Ad Read00:28:34 Bert Is Evil Part 200:28:40 - Sesame Street Reacts and The End of Bert Is Evil00:30:19 - The Historical Significance of The First Internet Meme00:31:28 - The Art of Bert Is Evil00:32:54 Stable Diffusion and AI Art00:39:29 Wheel of Anecdotes00:45:37 The Democratization of Content00:49:34 Outro
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    51 mins
  • Dave Theune from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Part 2)

    Dave Theune from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Part 2)
    Jan 31 2023

    Join us once again as we delve into the life and career of actor and Upright Citizen's Brigade improvisor, Dave Theune. This time, we discuss find out how his roles would be different where he's from in 'What If It Happened Here?'. We explore Dave's college years in Milwaukee, including the city's rich beer culture. From the Miller Brewery Tour to the Beer Barons Cemetery Tour, Dave shares his recommendations for the places to hit up when you're in town. He also shares his thoughts on the famous Von Trier and his memories of ComedySportz. Find out what led Dave to move to Los Angeles and how he got involved with the UCB Theater. Don't miss out on the exciting conclusion of our interview with Dave Theune.

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    LINKS
    Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
    Where I'm From YouTube Channel
    Dave Theune
    Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    The Groundlings
    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Miller Brewery Tour
    Beer Barons Cemetery Tour
    Von Trier
    ComedySportz Milwaukee
    Eric Price
    UCB Franklin
    iO West
    UCB Bangarang
    UCB Town Meeting

    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00:00 Intro
    00:00:49 What If It Happened Here?
    00:01:09 - Good Girls
    00:02:03 - The Big Bang Theory
    00:02:58 - The Connors
    00:03:10 - Santa Clarita Diet
    00:04:54 - Adam Ruins Everything
    00:05:49 - Teenage Mountain Lion / Early Days of Hulu
    00:08:08 - NTSF:SD:SUV::
    00:08:45 -- Robert Forster's Letter Opener
    00:14:19 Streann Studio Ad Read
    00:15:58 Milwaukee
    00:16:08 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    00:18:05 Milwaukee Beer
    00:18:58 - Miller Brewery Tour
    00:19:23 - Beer Barons Cemetary Tour
    00:21:11 - Von Trier
    00:21:31 - Brewery Tour Recommendations
    00:22:06 ComedySportz Milwaukee
    00:28:14 Moving to Los Angeles
    00:30:28 - Eric Price
    00:30:51 - UCB Theater
    00:31:06 - iO West (Improv Olympic)
    00:33:28 - The 3 "A"s for Improv
    00:43:03 Going Back Home
    00:45:58 Outro
    00:46:09 - Dave Earns A Tobolowky
    00:47:07 - UCB Bangarang
    00:47:10 - UCB Town Meeting

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    50 mins
  • Dave Theune from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin (Part 1)

    Dave Theune from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin (Part 1)
    Jan 24 2023
    Get ready for a wild ride with the one and only Dave Theune (Upright Citizen's Brigade improvisor, actor in shows like "I Am Not Okay With This" and the "Night Court" reboot)! Dave takes us back to his hometown of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin and shares memories of scrubbing the streets during the Holland Festival and his turn from sports kid to improvisor. From Cheboygan to the Northridge Mall, Dave dishes on everything he loves about Wisconsin. And let's not forget the main event - out brand new improv game, 'LOVE @ NIGHT with Bernie Love', is sure to have you in stitches. So, buckle up and join us for a chuckle-filled episode of 'Where I'm From' with comedic mastermind, Dave Theune. PLUS: What is Klompen dancing, anyway? Come back next week for Part 2! Come back next week for Part 2!"Bernie Love" played by Bill Meeks, based on his scripted "Love @ Night" sketch for America's Next Top Podcaster. AI voice model trained on the original "Bernie Love" Tripp Rogers.SPONSORED BYSUBSCRIBEApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazonRSSYouTube (Live Streams)YouTube (Episodes) LINKSFull Uncut Interview (Livestream)Where I'm From YouTube ChannelDave TheuneCedar Grove, WisconsinMilwaukee, WisconsinThe GroundlingsBelgium, WisconsinCedar Grove Holland FestivalKlompen DancingCedar Grove Memorial ParkIndependence ParkOliebollen DonutsWorstenbroodjesSportsman's Bar & GrillMary’s Country Grove RestaurantHET MuseumTeRonde House MuseumMilwaukee County StadiumWhat Happened To Northridge Mall, And Why Is It Still There?Milwaukee Public MuseumUniversity of Wisconsin OshkoshBronze FonzMaple Lanes Bowling FunplexLandmark LanesOriental TheaterTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 Intro00:01:52 Meeting At The Groundlings/Bill Holds The Team Back00:03:27 Starting with Cedar Grove00:03:40 A Sports Kid That Did Theater00:04:45 -Belgium, Wisconsin00:05:27 -The Ghost of Christmas Carols Past00:06:17 Bye Bye Birdie00:07:11 -Boomer Musicals00:07:43 -Theater Kids00:09:58 Cedar Grove Holland Festival00:11:31 -Scrubbing The Streets00:12:26 -The Burgermeister00:13:07 -Klompen Dancing00:13:32 Memorial and Independence Parks00:13:47 -Festival Foods00:13:55 --Oliebollen Doughnuts00:13:57 --Worstenbroodjes00:15:31 Call-Outs and Unburing The Bodies00:16:04 Dave's Cousin Nate00:17:54 Teachers Who Inspired (And Tolerated) Dave00:20:33 A Call Back To Improv at The Groundlings00:22:02 Streann Studio Ad Read00:23:43 Things To Do In Cedar Grove00:24:04 -Sportsman's Bar00:24:12 -Mary’s Country Grove Restaurant00:25:05 -Cheboygan!00:25:23 -Dutch Museums00:25:25 --Het Museum00:25:32 --TeRonde House Museum00:26:13 A Cedar Grove Resident's View of Milwaukee00:26:31 -Milwaukee County Stadium00:26:47 -Northridge Mall00:27:47 -Milwaukee Public Museum00:28:39 Moving To Milwaukee00:28:50 -University of Wisconsin Oshkosh00:31:55 The Tobolowsky Blunder00:33:11 Love @ Night With Bernie Love00:39:17 -The Bronze Fonz00:40:50 -Maple Lanes in Sheboygan, Wisconsin00:40:53 -Landmark Lanes in Milwaukee00:41:05 Oriental Theater00:41:39 Outro
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    43 mins
  • Season 1 Sampler Platter

    Season 1 Sampler Platter
    Jan 12 2023

    As we welcome 2023, I’m offering up some of my favorite Where I’m From moments from 2022, gratis. Tune in for some delicious free samples from our first season including Stephen Tobolowsky, Kelly Vrooman, Paul Zaloom, Brian Brushwood, Ashley Verma, Jason Inmon, and more! It’s the Where I’m From Season 1 Sampler Platter, and you can totally take more than one...

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    LINKS
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    Where I'm From Episodes


    E-mail bill@billmeeks.com if you want to talk about where you're from.

    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00:00 Intro
    00:02:00 Ali Spagnola
    00:05:52 Kelly Vrooman
    00:13:03 Stephen Page
    00:19:57 Ashley Verma
    00:28:34 Jason Inmon
    00:35:34 Stephen Tobolowsky
    00:44:51 Strean Studio Ad Read
    00:46:34 Kelly Rands/Santa Claus
    00:56:26 Faith Benson Gun.io
    01:03:25 Stephen Carroll
    01:09:27 Paul Zaloom
    01:13:10 Brian Brushwood
    01:18:41 Rebecca Johnson
    01:26:34 Outro

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    1 hr and 29 mins