Dive into the chaotic charm of The Albatross Cafe, the heart-pounding segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast that's equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and downright bizarre. Hosted by the irrepressible Marty Merman (still kicking despite those shingles!), this episode packs a punch with tales of triumph, toe-tapping tunes, and baseball brain-teasers that will have you laughing out loud and hitting that subscribe button faster than a home run.

Marty's Muse Takes the Reins: From Racetrack Riches to AI Poetry Shenanigans

Fresh off a big win at the track, Marty channels his inner bard with the help of AI to craft an epic (and epically twisted) ode to his longshot horse, Bella's Elbow. Expect rhymes that veer into vampire territory ... because why not?

Esther's Pentagram of Profiles: Celebrating the Flash-in-the-Pan Phenoms

Marty's mom, Esther Merman, steals the show with her sassy countdown of the greatest one-hit wonders ever. From disco divas to Celtic pop kings, she'll have you humming along and questioning why we can't love more than one song.

Agnes Explains the Inexplicable: Unraveling Baseball's Baffling Infield Fly Rule

The enigmatic Agnes breaks down MLB's most head-scratching rule with crystal-clear logic... interspersed with surreal sidebars about kidneys, ice baths, and deceptive plays. It's educational, eerie, and endlessly entertaining.

Stop What You're Doing And Listen!

• Hear Marty's triumphant racetrack yarn and his hilariously mangled AI-generated poem that mashes up horse racing with Twilight lore, guaranteed to leave you in stitches and rooting for more underdog stories.
• Jam out with Esther as she profiles iconic one-hit wonders like "Ring My Bell," "Spirit in the Sky," and "Come On Eileen," dishing on their quirky backstories and why we're all just "fickle bastards" when it comes to music.
• Get schooled by Agnes on the infield fly rule's nitty-gritty details, complete with vivid scenarios that protect runners from sneaky defenses ... plus bizarre interruptions that add a layer of Electric Secrets' signature weirdness.

If this wild ride of longshots, musical magic, and rulebook riddles has you hooked, you're in for a treat! Subscribe to the Electric Secrets variety podcast now on your favorite platform to catch every episode of The Albatross Cafe, plus mind-bending segments like Crisis Existential and Carney Koalas on Strike. Produced by MonsterVox Productions, Electric Secrets is your go-to for laugh-out-loud variety that keeps the surprises coming. Don't miss out on the fun, or you'll be left in the dust like a forgotten one-hit wonder!

This has been a presentation of MonsterVox Productions. All persons in this podcast are fictional, and resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental and not intended by the creator.

Monster Vox Productions LLC.

About Scott Smith, Voice Actor

Scott Leon Smith has worked as a professional actor and director for nearly 25 years in a variety of genres. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at West Virginia University, where he studied under alumni of the prestigious American Conservatory in San Francisco. He honed his craft in Chicago as part of A Crew of Patches, a traveling theatre company that performed Shakespeare for students. Scott is CEO of Monstervox Productions, where he helps clients by providing specialized voice-over work for advertising, audiobooks, eLearning, & instructional videos.

Join host Scott Leon Smith and marketing guru Abbey Kanellakis in this lively episode of Struck to the Soul, a segment of the Electric Secrets Variety Podcast, recorded live at the Bucyrus Tap House in Bucyrus, Ohio. This episode dives into the fleeting, powerful moments in film that ignite creativity and linger in the soul, shaping artists and their craft. From iconic snarls to subtle glances, Scott and Abbey unpack the cinematic sparks that drive emotional and artistic impact, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their own creative journeys.

• Cinematic Moments as Creative Catalysts: Iconic scenes, like Harrison Ford’s snarl in Raiders of the Lost Ark or Meryl Streep’s subtle expressions in The Deer Hunter, deliver “acute catharsis,” galvanizing viewers and inspiring artists to capture authentic emotion in their work.

• Authenticity Over Perfection: Chasing perfection can overshadow the genuine, visceral moments that define great art. Recognizing and harnessing these moments, as seen in a testimonial video where a single word, “electrifying” lit up a speaker’s face, elevates creative impact.

• Maturity Enhances Appreciation: Revisiting films with a mature lens reveals deeper layers of meaning, as seen in re-watching classics like Jaws or The Breakfast Club, where technical brilliance and emotional resonance hit harder with life experience.

This episode is a must for artists, filmmakers, and anyone who’s ever been moved by a fleeting moment on screen. Scott and Abbey’s passionate discussion, peppered with humor and nostalgia, will inspire you to seek out and cherish the sparks that fuel creativity. Tune in to explore how these moments shape not just art, but life.

Check out additional segments of the Electric Secrets Variety Podcast on the Brain Candy menu at MonsterVoxProductions.com. Join the conversation about creativity and share your own “struck to the soul” moments!

Get ready to crank up the volume and feel the soul-shaking, microphone-melting energy of two legendary vocalists in the latest episode of The Unforgettable Voice, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast!

Hosted by the ever-charismatic Scott Leon Smith and featuring vocal expert Lori Turner, this episode dives headfirst into the raw, unfiltered power of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. Recorded live at the vibrant Richland Academy of the Arts in Mansfield, Ohio—where young performers are crafting their own vocal magic, this episode is a high-octane tribute to two women who broke every rule in the vocal handbook and still left audiences begging for more.

Expect laughs, insights, and a whole lotta passion as Scott and Lori unpack what makes these voices unforgettable.

• Janis Joplin’s Banshee Wail Meets Heartfelt Ballads: Scott and Lori explore how Janis Joplin’s gritty, blues-rock scream in hits like “Piece of My Heart” wasn’t just chaos; it was a deliberate, passionate choice. From her surprising soft and gentle moments on a Dick Cavett talk show to her raw socio-political protest through sound, Janis redefined what it meant to sing the blues as a white woman in the 60s.

• Tina Turner’s Full-Body Fire: Lori breaks down Tina’s electrifying vocal attack, which surges from the soles of her feet to the top of her range. Whether she’s shimmying through “Proud Mary” or belting out “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” Tina’s storytelling and physicality set her apart. Plus, Scott can’t resist geeking out over her iconic role as the villain in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome ... because who else sings a Bond theme and rules a post-apocalyptic wasteland?

• Why We Need More Voices Like These: In a world of overproduced pop, Scott and Lori lament the lack of passion in today’s music scene. They draw parallels to modern artists like Amy Winehouse, Pink, and Lady Gaga, who carry the torch of raw authenticity, and speculate on where Janis and Tina would fit in today’s image-obsessed industry.

• Passion Trumps Perfection: Janis and Tina prove that raw, unpolished emotion can outshine technically “perfect” vocals, drawing listeners in with their heart and soul.

• Vocal Choices Define Artistry: Both singers made deliberate stylistic choices: Janis with her raspy protest and Tina with her full-body power, showing that knowing your instrument is key to iconic performances.

• Storytelling Is King: From Janis’s socio-political screams to Tina’s narrative-driven performances, their ability to tell stories through song remains a gold standard for artists today.

Loved the rasp, the passion, and the pure diva energy? Subscribe to Electric Secrets on your favorite podcast platform to catch every episode of The Unforgettable Voice and other wild segments like The Albatross Cafe. Want more? Head over to MonsterVox Productions for behind-the-scenes goodies and updates on all things Scott Leon Smith.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or endorsement of its participants, nor of any companies or persons discussed therein. MonsterVox Productions is not responsible for any losses, damage, or liabilities that may arise from the use of information contained in this podcast. The views expressed are those of its participants and may not reflect those of any podcasting platform or hosting service.