On this episode of The Wide Lens Podcast, we welcome filmmaker and storyteller Michael Lienau, whose life was forever altered by one of the most dramatic natural events in American history. When Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, Michael was a young filmmaker drawn to the unfolding story, and just days later he found himself at the mountain again for the second largest eruption ever recorded in the United States. What began as an attempt to document history quickly became a fight to survive it. His footage from that day became iconic, shaping how the world understood the scale and power of the disaster.

But Michael’s journey is far more than a tale of being in the wrong place at the right time. It is a story of instinct, courage, and a deep commitment to capturing truth. In this conversation, we explore the moments leading up to the eruption, the days that followed, and how that experience shaped the rest of his career. We also look at the work he is doing now, continuing to elevate stories that help people see the world through a wider lens.

To learn more about Michael, please visit: www.globalnetproductions.com

On this episode of The Wide Lens Podcast, we welcome Melvin Perdue - ballplayer, coach, and actor whose journey spans the diamond and the silver screen. From Little League in Alabama to championship clubs across Europe and Australia, his 14‑season career reflects grit, adaptability, and a love for baseball without borders. Melvin’s path also led to Hollywood, where he portrayed Ray Durham in the Oscar‑nominated film Moneyball. Working alongside Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, he brought authenticity to one of baseball’s great underdog stories and discovered how sport and storytelling intersect. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey - the sparks that lit his passion, lessons learned worldwide, and behind‑the‑scenes moments from Moneyball you’ve never heard before.

On this episode of The Wide Lens Podcast, we welcome Steve Englehart, legendary writer whose six-decade career at Marvel and DC redefined superhero storytelling. From starting off as a young and hungry train riding staffer commuting into NYC to reshaping Batman with psychological depth and finally co-creating Shang-Chi and Star-Lord, his influence spans comics, animation, and blockbuster films. Steve also reflects on rescuing Captain America from cancellation, elevating Wanda and Vision, and revolutionizing how we see superheroes today. Along the way, he shares creative battles, editorial challenges, and lessons in imagination, persistence, and vision. Join us as we explore the wonderful life and times that is Steve Englehart.

On this episode of The Wide Lens Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Dan Diamond, MD, a family physician and experienced disaster responder, as he recounts his frontline medical triage work after Hurricane Katrina and reflects on what the crisis taught him about leadership and resilience.

Dr. Diamond describes arriving at the Convention Center, coordinating with military and emergency teams, treating urgent cases, and responding to unexpected dangers like waterborne infections. He shares vivid human stories - from volunteers like Augie to rescuers like Sergeant Bailey - and the small practices (even a rubber chicken) that helped teams stay effective under pressure.

Throughout the conversation Dr. Diamond draws practical lessons for leaders and caregivers: protect and pace your team, stay curious and humble, and turn trauma into tools for thriving. Please Note: Learn more about Dr. Dan Diamond at dandiamondmd.com and watch his TEDx talk here.

On this episode of the Wide Lens Podcast, we revisit September 11, 2001, through the lens of amateur photographer Robert Fisch. That morning, while having breakfast near his Greenwich Village apartment, the sound of impact drew him toward the World Trade Center. Grabbing his camera, he captured the unfolding tragedy — from the second plane’s strike to the chaos that followed — and later, through his work, found himself at Ground Zero documenting the devastation up close. His images remain a haunting, firsthand record of that day’s events.

Please note: View Robert’s full 9/11 photo collection here: https://flic.kr/s/9tJ4

In this episode of The Wide Lens Podcast, Brad Stave interviews humanitarian storyteller Steve Reynolds about his frontline work during the 1980s Ethiopian famine. Discover how Steve helped uncover hidden suffering, aided BBC’s breakthrough broadcast, and witnessed U2’s Bono and his wife Ali Hewson’s quiet, hands-on visit to a feeding camp where they served families and children through both song and social work. Steve reflects on how that moment changed Bono’s life and sparked his passion for global advocacy and urges listeners to serve with humility, train with purpose, and add their light to the sum of light.

Rob Belanger shares his unforgettable experience volunteering at Woodstock ’99. From backstage moments and surprise celebrity run-ins to navigating the chaos of a music festival gone off the rails, Rob offers a raw, personal lens on one of the most controversial concerts in history.

Enjoying The Wide Lens Podcast? Spread the word and leave a review—it helps more than you know. Thanks for listening!

In 1995, Odoi Odotei interned at the Bill Clinton White House—alongside Monica Lewinsky. In this episode, he shares what it was like to witness history from the inside, before the headlines hit. Enjoying The Wide Lens Podcast? Spread the word and leave a review—it helps more than you know. Thanks for listening!