Danay Garcia | From "Fear the Walking Dead" to NBC / Peacock's "M.I.A." | Food for the Soul

Danay Garcia | From "Fear the Walking Dead" to NBC / Peacock's "M.I.A." | Food for the Soul

Author: Marc Preston Productions, LLC May 8, 2026 Duration: 1:04:36

Marc Preston sits down with Actor Danay Garcia from AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead" and NBC / Peacock's "M.I.A." to discuss her new project, career, and personal stories.

We talk about her journey arriving in Los Angeles from Havana, Cuba, and the reality of navigating the industry while tackling a profound language barrier. Danay shares memories from her early days, including the thrill of getting her first major break shooting Super Bowl commercials alongside Snoop Dogg and Guy Ritchie. She also opens up about surviving the apocalypse for seven seasons on AMC's hit series, and the incredible, set-blessing presence of Edward James Olmos on her newest project.

Plus, Danay gives us a glimpse into her passion for food and community, sharing how cooking traditional Cuban dishes live on Instagram kept her connected to her fans during the pandemic. We also explore the intense, one-hour-and-45-minute in-person audition that landed her the role in NBC / Peacock's crime thriller, "M.I.A.", and why she always says "yes" to stepping into the unknown.


[00:01:43] - Settling into Texas

[00:09:25] - Why an apocalypse led by a female character made the prequel to The Walking Dead so enticing 

[00:11:01] - Having lunch at the exact spot where they filmed the "Titanic" infinity pool 

[00:13:08] - Arriving in Los Angeles from Havana and realizing the true challenge of the language barrier 

[00:18:04] - Breaking into the American industry shooting Super Bowl commercials with Guy Ritchie and Snoop Dogg 

[00:20:19] - Growing up in Cuba with a father who poured drinks at Ernest Hemingway's favorite bars 

[00:27:00] - Nurturing connection by teaching her fans how to cook traditional Cuban food live during the pandemic 

[00:43:07] - Enduring a grueling one-hour-and-45-minute in-person audition to land her role in "M.I.A." 

[00:46:50] - Working alongside the iconic Edward James Olmos and feeling his presence bless the set 

[00:49:00] - The Seven Questions




For over thirty years, Marc Preston has worked from both sides of the microphone, building a career as an actor and a nationally syndicated radio host. That unique perspective informs every conversation on Story and Craft with Marc Preston. This isn't a standard interview podcast; it's a series of deep, meandering, and genuinely connective dialogues. Marc's endless curiosity drives him to explore not just what his guests have done, but how and why they do it. He sits down with a compelling roster of creative minds-actors from film and television, voiceover artists, writers, musicians, and cultural influencers-to unpack the fascinating, often unseen work behind their public personas. Listeners are brought directly into a discussion that feels like eavesdropping on a great chat between old friends, one that naturally veers from technical craft to personal philosophy. The result is consistently entertaining and offers unexpected insights into the worlds of comedy, culture, and storytelling. Each episode of this podcast reveals the nuanced decisions, the years of practice, and the personal stories that shape art and performance. You'll hear about the awkward auditions, the breakthrough moments, and the simple love for the work that sustains a creative life. It’s that blend of professional insight and human experience that defines the podcast, making it a rewarding listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, society, and the discipline required to excel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 97

Story and Craft with Marc Preston
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