#3 - Mike Baez: Indie Filmmaking, Troma Studios, and Committing to the Craft

Mike Baez is a writer, filmmaker, cinematographer, and trained actor with a hilarious sensibility that shines through in all of his work (and this conversation!). Humanist, and thinker with a heart of gold, Mike recently moved to Los Angeles after living in New York and working with Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Entertainment on Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1 (2013) and Return to Return to Nuke 'Em High Aka Vol. 2 (2017). Inspired by his experience with Troma, Mike produced his first feature-length independent film, Stiffed (2016), a coming-of-age comedy about an anti-hero waiter who robs people that don't tip. These days you can find Mike moving around and about LA, working on getting his scripts published and collaborating with other actors, investors, and filmmakers. He also appeared in Judah Friedlander's, How To Beat Up Anybody: An Instructional and Inspirational Karate Book by the World Champion (2010).

Reach out to Mike at [email protected]

On Instagram @mikeb_theactor

Mike Baez as Donatello in Troma Entertainment's Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1 (2013) and Return to Return to Nuke 'Em High Aka Vol. 2 (2017). These are sequels to the cult classics of Class of Nuke Em High 1, 2, and 3 (1986-94). 

Stiffed (2016) on IMDB

See Mike in Judah Friedlander's book, How To Beat Up Anybody.

Los Angeles Times article about co-living at Eddy in Hollywood.

Troma Entertainment, Inc: https://www.troma.com/

An episode about Troma on the podcast, Wizard and the Bruiser.

Tracks Here In This Darkness and Jub Attack were provided by Michael Radford. Hear more at https://soundcloud.com/mubba.

Originally recorded on August 23rd, 2019.

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged at [email protected]

Subscribe to the podcast and send us that 5-star-rating love!

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https://AFlairForTheCurious.com/

#2 - Monica Muñiz: Yoga, Puerto Rico, and Transformation

Monica Muñiz is a Los Angeles-based yoga teacher who has been practicing for over twenty years, and she currently teaches at the Yoga Cove in Monrovia and at Hot Yoga Claremont. In this conversation, Monica shares her story of learning to love and accept herself through yoga, what it was like growing up in Puerto Rico, and the shift in power dynamics happening in both yoga communities and back on the island. Whether you are a new or experienced yoga practitioner, enjoy positive & progressive politics, or find value in hearing transformational narratives, this lively episode is sure to bring some joy and wisdom into your day. Monica also talks about how she enjoys making and sharing jewelry as an outlet for creative expression, and that she is co-hosting an upcoming retreat in Granada, Spain in June of 2020. 

Follow Monica on Instagram @monicamunizyoga

Look into Monica's Come Home To Yourself In Granada Spain retreat @ starandmonica.com 

Check out her jewelry on IG @monicamunizjewelry

Drop-in at the Yoga Cove in Monrovia https://www.yogacove.com/

or Hot Yoga Claremont https://hotyogaclaremont.com/ 

Music for this episode was courtesy of Michael Radford. Hear more at https://soundcloud.com/mubba

Originally recorded on August 16th, 2019.

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged at [email protected]

Subscribe to the podcast and send us that 5-star-rating love! 

Like us on Facebook and subscribe on YouTube!

Click here to $upport the show!

https://AFlairForTheCurious.com/

#1 - Pat Cornett: Nak Muay LA and the Legend of Sakchai Nakpayak

Pat Cornett is an Army Veteran, artist, cornerman, and host of YouTube's Nak Muay LA; a channel dedicated to Thai and Muay Thai culture with a West Coast, California vibe. Since transforming his mind, body, and spirit while reconnecting to his family and heritage through Muay Thai, Pat released a 30-minute, action-packed documentary about his legendary Grand Uncle, Sakchai Nakpayak. Sakchai was a revered and beloved up-and-coming fighter in 1950's Thailand who was murdered defending the woman he loved at the height of his career. Nearly lost to time, Pat has been on an adventure to uncover the stories and artifacts of this Thai national hero. Pat's lively documentary entertainingly tells the story of Sakchai's life and includes details of Pat's own journey to learn about his heritage. Pat is currently raising funds to return to Thailand to do more research and put Sakchai's artifacts into a museum for the preservation of Muay Thai culture.  

Go checkout Nak Muay LA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQXiNz9rvQUt4HAvptrHzhw  

Watch the documentary Sakchai Nakpayak - A Muay Thai Legend Almost Forgotten! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cu97smW_Os&t=252s

Check out Pat's art at http://patcornett.com/

As well as his wife Leka's art at http://artofleka.com/ 

Support your local artists!

If you can, please go make a contribution to Pat's GoFundMe Campaign to Help Preserve Thai and Muay Thai History. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-preserve-thai-amp-muay-thai-history?rcid=r01-156467117081-26be561f9dbb4a43&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w

This episode is commercial-free and if you find value in it, you are invited to make a deeply appreciated financial contribution. All links can also be found at aflairforthecurious.com.

Originally recorded on August 9th, 2019 in Monrovia, CA.

• 02:50 - Pat’s bio and how he and Anthony met back in 1991
• 14:01 - Pat’s history in his own words
• 25:52 - Gangs, group homes, and coping after release
• 47:54 - Halloween prank arrest, a broken judicial system, 9/11 and the military
• 1:05:10 - Pat talks tattoos: removal, Joanna Nguyen tattoo art, Sak Yant, Hanuman
• 1:11:39 - Getting into the army, making Dad proud, meeting Pat’s wife, making an art hobby into a career with a college degree
• 1:22:32 - Entering the industry, Husband and Wife art team, burlesque and pinup art, Leka’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ Princess Leia/Ziggy Stardust mashup and controversy (Leka's Etsy Page here), “the Harriet Tubman of Cambodia”
• 1:36:44 - Training Muay Thai before, during, and after the army, Sityodtong Los Angeles
• 1:42:29 - Thai culture, transforming an unhealthy lifestyle while reconnecting to family
• 1:56:36 - “He was my hero;” Hanuman and Thai culture in film and art inspires the big shift, Hanuman vs Ultraman(1974), Hanuman and the 5 Kamen Riders(1975), Ramayana, Thai culture and connecting to it
• 2:05:20 - Nak Muay LA YouTube channel, shifting from 275lbs., Muay Thai
• 2:12:21 - The making of the documentary Sakchai Nakpayak - A Muay Thai Legend Almost Forgotten, ongoing research, the deeply respectful and rich culture of Muay Thai and the scholars working to document and preserve it, Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu, “1950’s Thailand was gangster, dude”
• 2:35:00 - Leads that need to be followed, the next steps in uncovering and preserving the history of Muay Thai and Pat’s Grand Uncle, fundraising to hear the stories, put heirlooms into Thai museums, and make a full-length film, supporting local artists and Thai culture
• 3:02:40 - Outro, connections and feedback, episode 2 preview

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged at [email protected]!

Subscribe to the podcast and send us that 5-star-rating love! 

Like us on Facebook and subscribe on YouTube!

Click here to $upport the show!

https://AFlairForTheCurious.com/