In the first Behind the Camera of 2026, I sit down with Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani. Soukaina is a NYC-Based producer, and independent filmmaker.

We discuss the differences between working on commercials for globally-renowned companies, and independent filmmaking, where Soukaina's true passion shines through, championing Muslim, Afro-Arab, and female narratives.

In this New Year’s Eve special, I reflect on the journey that was 2025 - looking at the moments, conversations, and experiences that truly shaped Behind the Camera into what it is today.

I also share what’s coming in 2026, including new projects, new directions, and answer questions sent in by you, the audience.

Thank you to everyone who has tuned in, supported the show, and been part of this journey throughout 2025. I genuinely couldn’t have done this without you, and I can’t wait to continue the journey together into 2026.

Happy New Year 💛

Robert Gaines is an entrepreneur and author of SCINTILLA The Ultimate Guide to Generating Business, Product, and Service Ideas. He is a U.S Army veteran and a graduate of the University of Louisville's School of Business.Robert hosts the Free Time Mastermind podcast, interviewing fellow professionals and providing commentary on current topics impacting entrepreneurs. He's also developing business interests in Nicaragua which provides an amazing low-cost alternative to the rising cost of living in the United States.

Dr. Kurt Ellenberger has had a long career as a performer, composer, music educator, and scholar. Since 1999, he has been aProfessor of Music at Grand Valley State University's Frederik Meijer Honors College, where he ignites students' passions through innovative interdisciplinary courses blending jazz, classical music, pop music and music history and aesthetics. As a pianist, composer, and author, he crafts music that fuse rigorous structure with spontaneous fire, while his writing dissects the profound intersections of music, math, and the human mind. He has written for the Huffington Post, NPR, and is currently a contributing editor at All About Jazz, where he has penned over 25 articles and has been read by hundreds of thousands of readers. He is also the managing editor of the Journal of Applied Jazz for the International Association of Schools of Jazz in Amsterdam. His articles span a wide range of topics—everything from harmonic convergence in jazz and classical realms to the evolutionary enigmas of why we "hear" symmetry in octaves. For podcast listeners craving intellectual adventure, Ellenberger brings a rare alchemy of accessible expertise and mind-blowing "aha" revelations, turning complex ideas into engaging stories that spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and remind us that music doesn't just entertain; it gives voice to the soul.

In this special edition of Behind the Camera, I am joined by Northern Ireland-based content creator and comedian, John Devlin. From starting a content creation journey through music clips during Covid, John quickly turned his attention locally inspired sketches, where he found his feet and gained a great following. In 2024, John made the leap into stand-up comedy, performing 5 then 10 minute sets in local comedy clubs, where he really came into his own, allowing separation from his content, and who he is as a comedian

I have never laughed as much on an episode of Behind the Camera before!

Alison Gieschen is an award-winning author, lifelong sailor, and horsewoman whose life story is as epic as the novels she writes. A former schoolteacher and graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Alison spent 30 years running an internationally successful equestrian program on her family farm in New Jersey. After raising three children with her husband Dan—whom she met during a sailboat race—they sold everything they owned to pursue their shared dream of circumnavigating the globe aboard their 43-foot sailboat.To date, Alison and Dan have traveled to 46 countries and recently crossed the Panama Canal, setting their course for the remote islands of French Polynesia. Her time at sea and her deep connection with both horses and people across cultures have inspired a powerful body of work spanning children’s literature, memoir, and adult fiction. Her books include the Rising Star Award-winning novel Blue Ridge, the magical children’s stories The Legend of Altor and Julia’s Vaulting Dream, and the nonfiction sailing memoir Riding the Waves of Reality: Tales of Turmoil and Triumph—with a sequel on the way.Her latest release, The Seven, is a sweeping and soul-stirring novel that blends fantasy with deeply rooted real-world experience. The story follows seven humans and seven horses in a tale that spans continents and cultures, asking one pivotal question: Can the hearts of a few determine the fate of all humanity?Alison is also preparing to release her newest children’s fantasy, Seanna: A Mermaid’s Tale—a story especially close to her heart. As someone who has always felt a magical connection to the sea and its mythical creatures, Alison brings the underwater world to life in this early reader chapter book. The story is being brought to even greater life through the artwork of seven-time international award-winning illustrator Barbara Owczarek, whose stunning illustrations add an extra layer of magic and wonder.Through it all, Alison remains deeply connected to the world around her—from the sea life off her bow to the ancient cultures in the world’s most remote places. Her journey is far from over, and with every mile sailed, a new story is waiting to be told

This week, I’m joined by Bria Rose, an independent dark romance author who specialises in spicy retellings of Disney fairytales. We take a deep dive into her Beauty and the Beast retelling, Her Dark Promise, explore her upcoming projects, and discuss the themes she brings to life within the dark romance genre.

Perfect for BookTok fans, lovers of fairytale retellings, and anyone interested in the world of independent authors.

https://authorbriarose.com/

In this special edition of Behind the Camera, I sit down with Janaé Rachel Ballot to discuss her debut feature film, Dissociated Me. We explore the film’s hybrid format, the inspiration behind the story, and the creative journey that brought it to life. A must-listen for fans of independent filmmaking and personal storytelling.

Michael Klassen is a veteran broadcast producer with extensive experience in news, sports, and film and podcast projects. Michael now serves as the host and co-producer behind the highly successful 5AM Podcast. 5AM Podcast is cultivating a dedicated world wide audience, helping many transform their mornings and maximize productivity through strategic living and intentional morning routines. Beyond broadcasting, Michael is a published periodical author with more book titles on the way. Michael has always had a hunger for truth, community, and spiritual filling. Michael enjoys combining his passion for truth in storytelling with practical insights for everyday life. When not in the studio, Michael likes to express his creativity in the great outdoors and as a woodworker. Michael enjoys crafting pieces that express his artistic eye and ideas. Michael brings a unique blend of media expertise, creative vision, and technical production skills to every collaboration, ensuring quality conversations and content that will resonate with a variety of audiences.

This week’s guest is former counterintelligence agent and host of the Break It Down Show, Pete A. Turner. With more than 70 months deployed and over 1,000 combat patrols across multiple conflict zones, Pete brings a rare, boots-on-the-ground perspective to every story he tells.

In this conversation, we dive into Pete’s life as an Army spy, the people who shaped him, and how his experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond led him into the world of podcasting. We also explore his work with Save the Brave, his passion for veteran advocacy, and why honest storytelling matters now more than ever.

https://www.youtube.com/peteaturner

This week, I’m joined by author and composer Christopher Kaufman, the creative force behind the Tales of the Ocean City series. We explore his journey through writing and composing, how the two worlds merged to shape his epic universe, and what his process reveals about the true power of imagination.

This week’s episode takes a slightly different turn — no guest, no interview, just me taking a moment to reflect on the realities of podcasting, the highs and lows that come with it, and how sometimes, plans simply change.

I talk about what’s been happening behind the scenes, how the Wheatus episode has shaped what’s coming next, and why pauses like this are all part of the creative process.

In this special edition of Behind the Camera with AndyGames, I’m joined by Brendan B. Brown, founder and frontman of Wheatus.

We talk about the 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, dive into the story behind their timeless hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” and explore the lasting legacy of one of the defining songs of the 2000s.

🎙️Today, we're joined by David Beckemeyer, the host of the Outrage Overload Podcast. David is an expert in political polarization and media literacy, focusing on reducing toxic outrage and promoting civil discourse. With insights from social psychology and communication studies, David helps listeners understand the mechanics behind outrage media and offers practical strategies for fostering unity and understanding in a divided world.

https://outrageoverload.net/

🎙️ This week, I’m joined by author Michael Wendroff - the son of an editor and literary agent whose life has always revolved around words.

After a lifetime surrounded by literature, Michael has released his debut novel, What Goes Around. We talk about his creative journey, how growing up in the world of writing shaped his own style, and what lies ahead in his literary future.

https://michaelwendroff.com/

🎙️ This week, I’m joined by retired Army officer and author, Darrell Berry.

Darrell’s debut mystery novel explores a secretive group of Pentagon officials and congressmen determined to drive gay men and women out of the military. Drawing from his own experiences serving in U.S. Army intelligence during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era, Darrell shares what life was really like behind the uniform, how far the military has come, and the inspiration behind Early This Morning.

https://dberrybooks.com/

In this special edition of Behind the Camera, I have the absolute pleasure of being joined by Punk Rock Factory. We talk about their rise to fame during the Covid-19 pandemic, going from an online project to a worldwide touring band. The guys share how they choose which songs to cover, the story behind their upcoming Halloween/Christmas hybrid album The Fright Before Christmas, and their huge Wembley Arena show with Bowling for Soup and Wheatus.

Join AndyGames as I am joined by Greg Judd, frontman of UK-Based Indie Rock band, The IDKs. We discuss the bands journey, from their 2023 EP 'Something About You', to their lessons learned and implemented into their transformative 2025 singles 'You're Alright', and 'Axiom', which, combined, have amassed over 30,000 streams. And, just to add a bit of flair, we discussed the band's ideal headline show

https://linktr.ee/theidks

Spinney Media, led by music veteran Rob Bach (Virgin Megastores, Amazon, CD Baby), helps musicians and labels sell more physical albums. Spinney Media clients sign up, subscribe, and send in their vinyl, CDs, cassettes. Spinney Media does the rest. And musicians and labels keep 100% of their earnings!

Rob has been in the music industry for most of his career. He led reverse logistics, internal help desk, and troubleshooting teams at Amazon in its early years. More recently, he served as COO at CD Baby. He is now founder and CEO of Spinney Media as well as an operations and management consultant with Spinney Group LLC.

https://spinneymedia.com/

Guy Morris’ life could be the plot of one of his award-winning thrillers. In this episode, we explore his incredible journey from living on the streets at 13, to sailing a 50-foot yacht, to a shocking run-in with a Latin American cartel.

After nearly 40 years in the tech industry, Guy turned to writing intelligent action thrillers, blending real-world events, AI, and espionage into page-turning stories. We dive into his past, the lessons he’s learned, and what drives him to create such gripping novels today.

If you love stories about resilience, adventure, and the power of reinvention, this conversation will leave you inspired, and maybe a little mind-blown.

https://www.guymorrisbooks.com/