Toasting a film of exceptional vintage

For Cineversary podcast episode #19, host Erik Martin interviews guest Joseph McBride, film historian, biographer, author, educator, and screenwriter, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of one of the most controversial and socioculturally important films of Hollywood's golden age: "The Grapes of Wrath," directed by John Ford. Together, Erik and Joe explore why this classic is worth celebrating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

Joseph McBride

To listen to this episode, click the "play button" on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Anchor, Breaker, Castbox, Overcast, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

The great plastic debate: credit cards vs. debit cards

For disciplined consumers, plastic can be fantastic. A debit card and credit card allow you to make purchases safer and easier without having to carry cash. That begs the question: When should you use a debit card vs credit card? The answer to this question is important. That's because, when used properly, each card offers special benefits and advantages. There are drawbacks to using each card, too.

Learn the facts about debit cards and credit cards and when it's best to use one instead of the other. And shop around for these cards carefully so you can reap the most rewards for using them. For more tips on this topic, read my latest article for Money-Rates.com here.

Our Pal long before Lucas, Spielberg or Cameron

If you're a fan of futuristic films, sci-fi cinema, and special effects-minded movies, then it's time to give props to George Pal--an oft unsung visionary who was responsible for some of the biggest and best fantasy and science-fiction pictures of the 1950s and early 1960s, including "The War of the Worlds," "The Time Machine," When Worlds Collide," and "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao."

Learn more about Pal's life and talents by reading my feature on this forgotten filmmaker (available here), as published in the current edition of the Nostalgia Digest.

New Year's resolution: Run more productive meetings in 2020

Companies large and small rely on meetings with staff and/or clients to communicate ideas, solve problems, and present initiatives. In fact, over 55 million meetings occur every day in America. Yet one in three meetings waste time, contributing to an estimated $37 billion squandered ever year due to unproductive meetings.

Businesses need to plan and conduct meetings carefully to ensure that goals are accomplished and desired outcomes are reached. This is easier said than done, of course. So for focused and specific strategies designed to steer meetings straight and maximize productivity, I asked three experts for their recommendations. Learn what they recommended by clicking here and reading one of my latest stories published by CO—, the US Chamber of Commerce's site devoted to helping small businesses.

Festive and flawless feast-making

You’ve decided to take one for the team and summon the entire clan over for dinner and festivities on December 24 or 25. The invite was the easy part. Now you’ve got to figure out how to balance what's on your menu with your family's preferences and palates.

But prepping, cooking and serving the Christmas meal doesn’t have to be a dreaded or frustrating endeavor. With the right planning, you can ace this banquet, sidestep the stress, and conquer the kitchen with culinary cleverness. This positive process starts with the right mindset. For tips, click here and read my newest piece for CTW Features.

Pay attention to this man behind the curtain

In Cineversary podcast episode #18, host Erik Martin talks with guest John Fricke, the world's foremost Oz historian and author of several books about The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland. Erik and John honor the 80th anniversary of the most watched and arguably the most beloved film in history, "The Wizard of Oz," and explore why this masterwork is worth celebrating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

John Fricke

To listen to this episode, click the "play button" on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Anchor, Breaker, Castbox, Overcast, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.