The Neil Haley Show Featuring Jimmy McGorman, Robb Vallier, Michael Gier, Scott Fifer, and Shawn Welsh

The Neil Haley Show Featuring Jimmy McGorman, Robb Vallier, Michael Gier, Scott Fifer, and Shawn Welsh

Neil and co-host Greg Hanna opened the Celebrity Interviews Live from the Grotto simulcast with Jimmy McGorman and Robb Vallier of the new synth-pop duo Flight to London. The two veteran writer-producers, whose credits span Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Stewart, Weezer, and Sabrina Carpenter, explained how, after a fast and inspiring writing weekend in Napa Valley for the band Mama Said, they finally decided to step into their own spotlight after years of talking about it. They met at Berklee College of Music in the 1990s, reconnected 13 to 14 years ago (their wives are both from Iowa), and built their debut album Instructions for Losing Control on rigid creative guardrails inspired by Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, Scritti Politti, and the intellectual pop of the early 1980s, a sound others have dubbed "newstalgia." They celebrated the creator era freed from old record-label gatekeepers, explained that producing is simply making decisions, and leaned on friends like The Who's bassist John Button and guitarist David Levita, plus members of the Foo Fighters. Both shared closing wisdom about letting go of control, "this too shall pass," and asking "will this matter in five years." The album drops November 21 with a release party November 22 in Westlake Village; first single "No One's Forgiven" is out now at FlightToLondonMusic.com.Neil then welcomed award-winning director and producer Michael Gier of Gier Productions, with thanks to Sergeant Moving and Storage and Thomas Mundy. A former Broadway-style musical performer turned filmmaker, Michael traced his path from starring in touring productions across the country to launching his production company in 2009, recalling his role in Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" video (Spike Jonze's fictional Torrance Community Dancers, voted MTV's number one video of all time) and his recurring soap opera roles on Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, and General Hospital. He now specializes in documentaries that save lives, including Wounded Heroes and Healing the Heroes of 9/11 (featuring Trauma Resiliency Protocol), and his upcoming The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 for the 25th anniversary, narrated by Gary Sinise with interviews including former CIA Director Leon Panetta and former Federal Reserve official Roger Ferguson. Michael is partnering with DDS for Vets and Media Giant Productions on a scripted Wounded Heroes film. Visit MichaelGier.com and the911film.com.Neil then welcomed Scott Fifer, founder and CEO of the GO Campaign, which for 20 years has changed the lives of vulnerable children worldwide by partnering with grassroots "Local Heroes." Scott explained the organization's listen-more-than-you-talk philosophy, having helped over 400,000 children across 40 countries, and shared inspiring examples from Tanzania, Paraguay, Watts, and Harlem. The annual GO Gala in Los Angeles on October 17 honors Rob Mac, Ryan Reynolds, and the Wrexham AFC Foundation for using football to empower young lives. Scott and Neil bonded over mentorship, the power of technology to open doors for kids with disabilities, and a potential partnership, with Neil offering to mentor and speak about podcasting and content creation. Donate or get involved at gocampaign.org.Neil closed with Shawn Welsh of VetSOS, who shared the exciting news that VetSOS received its first response letter from the IRS on its nonprofit application, requesting additional information and signaling the process is moving toward official status, hopefully by year's end. Shawn previewed the continuing lineup of VetSOS programming, including James Collins of Heroes in the Sky discussing suicide prevention and honor ceremonies on the Transition show, plus upcoming entrepreneur-focused episodes.