Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset - Behind the Scenes of Oscar-Worthy Film 'Beyond The Rush': Mena Suvari, Bill Barrett & Robert Sayegh

Episode Date: March 16, 2025

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with writer and director Robert Sayegh, along with actors Mena Suvari and Bill Barrett, to discuss their independent film Beyond the Rush. The conversation is a deep dive into the creative and emotional journey behind the film, examining how it mirrors real-life struggles and human resilience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When I say this movie needs to be seen everywhere, and I mean, to me, it's an Oscar nod. Like, I truly mean it. You guys absolutely crushed it. And I really do feel if there's anybody listening, yo, you need to get on this shit. Because the bottom line is I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it. If this movie is not seen, then the world cannot heal. John French, what up? I put my all and everything I'm doing up until it's done.

I meet for the entirety. I put it in overtime. I'll be working. Just know I'm a go for mine because I earned it. They watch and I know it's time. I confirmed me. A whole society, Determine. Determine Society.

What's up, everybody? Welcome back to another episode of The Determined Society. I'm your host, Sean French. And today I have a special, special treat for you. I know I always say that, but wait until you hear this show and watch this show wherever you enjoy The Determined Society. So today, I have an amazing cast from an amazing film that I just saw. and it's an independent film that to me needs to be distributed everywhere on big screen

and has major Oscar implications in my mind. It's incredible. And these performances from the actresses to the actors and the writing and directing from, it's just a masterful piece. So today I have with me, award-winning actress, Nina Savari. You have definitely seen her in a lot of films, American Pie, American Beauty, yada, yada, Well, she plays an amazing lead role as the mom, Leah, in this movie. And she absolutely crushes it.

And we have our man, Bill Barrett, who plays Samuel, a very complex character, incredible. I got to tell you, do that role. It was very amazing to see that role on screen. And we have our writer and director. Rob, Rob, Rob, like, dude, you, like, Rob Sayer. Right? It's a sayer without an R. But we're here. And, man, I'm just so happy to be here with you guys.

And I told you guys before filming that I'm in love with the movie. Thank you, Sean. Thanks. Thanks a lot for having us. It's an amazing opportunity. My pleasure. To be able to talk about it with you and someone who watched it and liked it and and had some input.

We appreciate that. Absolutely. I mean like again, you know, from opening scene to the very last, the very last scene, my, it's the name is fitting beyond the rush because my heart was continually going like this. Like it was, you know, Mina, you're beginning scene, right? Like that right there, I was like, oh my God. Like I knew right then, I'm like, my wife is not going to watch this movie with me because she'll have nightmares for the rest of her life.

This is going to be all on me to watch. But from that point to, to, you know, the character you played Leah and Bill, you as the lead male, like I have so many questions, right? Like, first of all, tell me kind of how you guys, what attracted to you guys to be on the rush in the first place

because it is such a dynamic film. Yeah. Go ahead, Mena. You want me to start? Okay. I mean, I've always been really drawn to projects that involve our direct.

also being the writer, just feels very heartfelt. And I really loved this character because, I mean, I'm always looking for a human story. I'm always looking for something that really challenges me that I feel like I can learn from, that I can grow from and with. And I think I just, at the core of it, really... When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter. You're the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information.

That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our ingredients at good to know facts.org. No spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts for more than 140 beverage ingredients. Visit good to know facts.org. connected with her as, I guess it's kind of twofold. You know, I've suffered from my own addictions, overcoming those, really feeling like it was a matter of just consistently trying to be better than my circumstance, a better person in any way that I could. So I connected with, I feel like, that part of Leah, those intentions, but then also as a mother, you know, in connection with that.

That, you know, to me, it's interesting how complex she was, the things that she was facing not only physically and mentally and emotionally, but it was this idea of, her just consistently trying to do her best. It's sort of like ambiguous and that's what was interesting to me, you know. It wasn't just about her being this bad person. It was interesting to me how at her core I really felt like she was trying. And, you know, however that manifested. in the many different ways that you could say she failed, it's like she still had this goodness to her.

So that's what was really interesting for me to get to try to explore and play with. It was amazing because up into the point where you guys are sitting in the living room, right? Samuel was a young boy and then his brother Peter, it was time for your character to go, way for a bit to get better. You could see the pain in Leah's eyes. And that was the goodness, right? And it's also kind of why if you continue to watch the movie, you're almost, you know, Samuel's conscious

throughout the whole movie. And that's the, yeah, to me, it, it made sense. I just want to say it's also, I mean, thank you so much, but it really came from also not only having Rob there at the helm of all of this and the way that he was so grounded and patient with us and gave us the freedom. I mean, at least for me, gave me the freedom to explore and find that. But our incredible cast I became so close with. And like that moment that you're talking about that also, it not just came from the story, but it came from the relationship that I was able to form with Kathy. in those moments.

And I think also just, again, like tapping into mother to mother, it allowed all of that to evolve. Like it's such a mix of all of that collaboration together. Yeah, no, absolutely. And kudos to Rob, because, I mean, like, what you did, not just writing and directing it, but putting everybody in that place to do what they do,

clearly showed a lot of free. freedom and creativity and everybody being themselves. You know, so, so Bill, man, like, you know, talk about your character, a very complex character, right? I felt like every five sex in seconds, something was happening to Samuel. Right.

I remember, you know? Yeah, I mean, that was something that I talked to Rob and Jace about in the beginning is there's so much what happens and it can get so heavy to really be careful to not get too, I guess, like, precious with any moment and, like, you know, how to really go about the entire arc of the story. But that was, that kind of ties into what I really, what really drew me to the project is, A, I really enjoy projects like this that really get to the meat of like the down to the bones of life. Like, it's real, it's gritty, it's raw. it's what so many people go through even if it's I mean most people can probably say they know someone or they've been affected by one of the topics in this movie and but everybody's still going about their life right everybody is doing the best they can with what they have while they're dealing with all these things so I see this and I'm like here's this dude that's like literally dealing with some of the heaviest topics and multiple at once and

It's a way to honor the how relatable it is for normal people that it can, if we play this right, we can honor everybody's stories and what people go through. And they can relate to this character, relate to all the characters in this. And then also you kind of, at least for me, I got perspective that everybody's going through something. So it made me in my, you know, when I talk to people like strangers to have a little bit more compassion, a little bit more understanding and a little bit more patience because just like with Samuel, everyone's going through some shit. Dude, that's that's freaking impactful because right from the jump of the movie, right? It's like there was a scene and right at this certain scene, and I'm not going to say because I want people to watch this and like be surprised of what happened. in the movie because I feel I love the movie so much I can talk about it and ruin it for everybody.

But there was a moment there where someone comes up to you and is like, hey, it looks like you're doing great. You know, what do we really know about people's lives? Right? What do we really know? So to your point, you know, being able to be introspecting like, wait a second, the whole world is going on right now. Like I'm having this conversation with y'all right now and I have certain problems in my life. but there's somebody down the road that has bigger problems. And what are they going on in their life?

Maybe they're the one that cut me off in traffic. I don't know what they're in a hurry for. Maybe I should give them some grace. 100%. And that's such a great example because that's even something that's happened to me since is like, you know, being cut off or just something so small is to be disrespected. But then it's just like what you just said, well, hold on. Like, is it really me?

Like they don't even know me. That's just their shit that they're objecting out. And they're just doing the best they can and trying to deal with it. It's not me. Now it would be one thing if like Rob knows me and he texts me, but like, hey, you suck. They're like, all right. Well, maybe that's a little person.

It's a little personal. Yeah. But to the general public, it's like, yeah, man, like grace. Yeah. I think that goes a long way. And I think that would mean a lot too for everybody to understand that. this this is this is impactful because you mentioned you know growth and mina you mentioned personal growth as well you like to choose roles that you help you grow as a person so i kind of want to hear from each of you me well we'll go rob and mina and then um you know bill you can elaborate on how it helped you grow in your life just playing these characters being a part of this production if you want me to say well i i'm going to go back to what these guys said about just being there with the actors and

And my approach to directing this film after writing it for so many years and having a story, I've been with this story since 1992 was when it was. You know, so many, many, many decades with Samuel. Elia came up later in the story, actually in the short film. Anyway, so what for me was like, I wanted these guys to do what they wanted to do. You know, they read the script. they honored me by and entrusting me to come and do the movie and put all of their energy into it, which is an unbelievable thing for me to have these actors come and say they wanted to do the role.

So to have them say yes was like, you know, I got chills now. Like it really meant that much. And so when I was like, my approach to directing was, hey, what do you guys want to do? You know, it's like, it's a little bit different. It wasn't really about directing them. per se is their professional, they knew what they were doing, and they had their ideas.

Certain words I wanted said at certain moments maybe, but for the most part, I just wanted to see what they did, and it was awesome to watch this movie, because I was watching the movie. You know, I wrote it, but I'm literally there watching

Mina become Leah and Bill become Samuel. So like, for me, I was just like, hey, you know, you guys do whatever you want. want another take, take another, you know, do another take. You know, it was with, like, with everybody. And I was very, like, it was all about them, really. And, and, and, in trusting them with it, because they put that trust in me. So that was kind of, I think, why everything, we got the performances we got, because I wanted to just, I make them feel

as comfortable as they could, because it's just not a comfortable environment in that, on that set. But we were, like, kind of this little family. So I think, you know, getting back to going to you just let them be the peacocks they are and you let them fly captain that's what you did baby that's what you did yeah you guys you guys with uh will feral and marky mark oh yeah no okay that mean come on mina help me out here for crying out loud i like it and sounds you like it good it was good what is i'm a peek my captain you got to let me i'm a peacock i'm a peacock you got to let me fly have you ever done a desk pop what's a desk pop he fires the gun

Oh, that's right. That's right. That's right. Yeah, just boom. Everybody's done one. Sorry, Mina. We're getting it. Yeah. Yeah. So she's like, it's here. It's here on that one. She's going to come across. She's going to watch the movie over again now. So, Mina, like, again, you mentioned that you like to have, you know, the character, you know, play a character that you're truly interested in that can help you grow. How did this impact you, this film overall? I think that it's really about this beautiful gift, this opportunity to really be. I mean, obviously, I mean, because I feel like there's just,

there's so much emotion involved. There's so much complexity. And, you know, sort of like what Rob was touching on, in contrast to my own life, it's really nice to step into this space where you can just be and you can flow. And it's like each and every time that I get the opportunity to work, it sort of becomes that.

And then out of that, I think it's about learning how to live in that space, just kind of approaching. You know, we were also working with, younger individuals, you know, with younger children. And it's like you can't, I think the gift for me is it's, it's like getting out of any sort of expected space. And it's being given the opportunity to just feel something, to really just move with each

moment and work off of one another to see what happens. And that's like an energetic gift for me. Like when you talked about those moments in the room, saying goodbye to the family, or, you know, sitting with Wyatt who played Samuel and having these really complicated moments as a mother. I mean, it was really challenging for me. I think I spoke with Rob about this at the beginning. Like, I was really coming from this place of like, I don't want to traumatize anyone, you know? And if there's anything that I can do that needs to specifically be on me,

that the kids aren't even there, I mean, that's always really hard for me to not be thinking about, like, how much damage I'm doing to this other person by, yelling at them or being a particular way. But, yeah, again, I think it's just, you know, even with Bill, like, just kind of like being able to approach something as, as like a just a complete blank slate and really be open to finding how you need to navigate those moments. Like, to me, that's just the greatest gift as an actor and as a person. It just allows me to let go of everything, of like every expectation and just feel. Yeah.

I think the word feel is super important, right? Because a lot of times people want to skip the feel part, right? And when you're in something like this and you're feeling those moments, just makes everything much more impactful. And also shows us, you know, towards the end, everything has the opportunity to be okay, right? You know, Bill, your character, I feel like, I want you to answer the other question. I think you already have, but, you know, I do feel like Sam got as happy ever ever after, man, you know, towards the end.

I thought it was a nice little twist. What are your thoughts? In regards to how it ended? Yeah. So I feel like, you know, that character, Samuel got a happy ever after. He had such a hard life. Yeah. And so many things.

And then, you know, the wife was there. And then, you know, the other things, I don't want to ruin the ending for people. But I probably already did. But, you know, hey, I'm not perfect. But the bottom line is, the bottom line is like there was, there was a moment where there was a massive pendulum swing, right? And whether it was luck or more blessings towards Samuel's character. I mean, in terms of like him finding his happy ending, I think yet he definitely overcame, I mean, a lot for, you know, from seeing the film and anyone who watches it.

And that was definitely what really inspired me about the character and the story is I always admire when people go through some real shit and they come out the other side, like real life stuff. and it was nice to see the way that it ended and I know Rob really wanted to instill hope and that was an important factor as opposed to it potentially ending a lot darker a lot sadder a lot worse and when you I think getting that getting that ending after going through this journey with all the characters but specifically that ending with Samuel and Tristan. After everything they go for, I think it is really rewarding to see.

And it's like, man, putting an audience through the ringer as this film does, but in such a like, in such a way to tell the story of having hope at the end, I think is nice because they've been through so much the entire story. So to give them that at the end, I think leaves the audience. a feeling good because there's a lot of good moments I think throughout the film it's not just heavy it's not just sad and those moments are important to tell that story but then to get that at the end you feel like you get to the end of the rainbow you get the reward and um for people that have actually experienced these things or know people which most do it gives them hope

and it gives them, I think the biggest thing that we can do as people is to have an impact on other people. So for this character, for all these characters, for this story to be relatable to anyone and to inspire them and to have an impact, I think is like the greatest thing that we can do as actors. And so hopefully with that ending that comes across. Well, I think that, I mean, I know that you guys, everybody in the movie impacted me when I watched it. It was phenomenally done. The one thing that I really noticed, and it's so funny because my show is called The Determined Society. And I'm watching this whole movie. I'm like, these are some determined sons of bitches here in this movie because there's a lot of shit going on.

Like a lot of shit. And it just showed that, you know, in everyone's lives, there are moments where you either have the option to a, either throw in the towel or B fight. And everyone in this movie was a fighter, and I fucking loved it because of that, right? Because of that. Did you guys feel, I mean, I know determination probably wasn't one of the things

that crossed your mind, but looking back at it and looking at your characters, how determined were they? And Rob, how determined were you to write this whole script? well yeah determination is a good good word uh to to never stop you know as a writer i've come up for 30 years writing in my life um so most of the time i had bartending jobs right so um that's how i made money to to survive and had other johns in work in production here and there and just you know how many times i've been told it's not good or as a writer that's not good

No. I mean, every door closes. Every door. You know, I'm going to be 51 in a few weeks, which is crazy. And this is, you know, my first. Happy birthday. Thank you. Yeah, man. This is my first project. So, like, never giving up, I guess is what I did, you know. Hell yeah. I got sober. May 8th, 2018. It's going to be seven years. And once I got sober, I knew from, like, I was not going to stop. There were times. in my life where it was like I could have easily given out. Like I'm not a good writer. Like I really wasn't even, I didn't have good English scores in school. My math, my math SATs were much better than my English. So I don't kind of teach myself and study the dictionary. Like, you know, speak a little bit better. Try.

I'm from Brooklyn. So sometimes I don't speak so well. You're doing great. So, but like that, I just never stopped. There's so many people who are going to beat you down. And that's just with life. That's everything. And like the only way you can learn that, it sucks is that like it's through time and through age, right?

So like it's only wisdom you can gain through living these years. You know, you can say it when you're young, but you don't know. So just getting through life to get here to be able to do this was never giving up. And, you know, Samuel and a lot of the people in this is my life. Like there's a lot from my life personally and from people I know. lives who I put into the characters through my own family life, you know? There's conversation at the kitchen table

between Leah and Kathy. You know, that's, you know, that's about my mother and my dad, you know, but, you know, like there's just stuff in there and that's why it's real because it is real. And the way that I wanted to tell it was to make it commercially sell. Because let's be honest, the subject matter is very,

is heavy. wanted to do it in a way where people could go see it and not get cringed out. We're 13, 14-year-olds could watch this, you know, all the way up to 80. And we've, you know, been to so many, a bunch of film festivals. And after we go, we stand up there and we get approached. And people just come and talk to us. You know, Mee has been their bill. And I've been there.

And they just give us their stories. It's nice. And so, you know, not giving up is totally, a theme in this movie because it's a theme in my life. So what else was like what else where is that going to do? I was like, I'm not someone who kind of like, you know, throws in the towel. Oh, you know, I love that shit. That's good.

That's good stuff. Like, I was going to get the different no matter what. And now, like, I'm going to give a distribution deal no matter what. So. Hell, man. If I quit every time someone laughed at me for wanting to start a podcast, I wouldn't be sitting here with y'all. And so, yeah, that's the character.

You know, Bill took that character. And man, he played the hell out of it and gave it humor. You know, he put there's some, you know, some like funniness in the banter between the brothers because that was how I was with my younger brother. And like, so joke around a thing. He did it. He did it great. Like there's some ad lib lines in there that, you know, when they will talk about that he adlipped,

I was like, oh. So I tell people when I watch it. I'm like, yeah, Bill added that, you know. And it's some humor and some lightness because we do know it's, it's, it's, it's, it's heavy. You know, so real life is. But at the end, you know, I battle to get a good ending, you know, something that you don't walk out feeling, you know. And you could see it, man. You can see it. And that whole battle like, you know, you know, I want, I want you to speak on determination now because you've been in this business a very long time. I'm sure there was moments that were

very frustrating. You got to go, Bill? All right. All right, ma'amam. Yes. Um, Thank you, sir. You're leaving. Can you believe he's, he's, he's, he's doing the Irish goodbye. He's doing the, well, I'm sure to goodbye is if you didn't say anything. I know, I know. I know. I know we just kind of drifted off.

Hey, sending you love, man. Give your, give your pops my best, man. Thanks. And it's been an honor to be on here. Really enjoy talking here. I'd love to talk more about baseball, but thanks. Absolutely. Well, we'll do a group thread.

We'll do a group thread or something. I'll do. This is, good luck, thank you so much. Thank you, brother. So, I mean, again, Meena, you know, you were, you've been in the industry for a long time. And then you've gone through many different roles and probably a lot of different types of rejection and all that good stuff. And you're a mom. And you're an author.

You know, mom. Yeah. How about that one? Right. Where do you want me to begin? I feel like I. Dude, you tell me, girl. You, Rob.

It's like I've been a fighter since I've been in the womb. Born a fighter. Yeah. It's just my path. Oh, man. I think now at 46, I'm like learning how to accept it. Dude, it's constant, isn't it? I mean, it can be.

Yeah. Yeah, haven't always had it easy, personally and professionally. Yeah. Where do you know? I think the important thing, I think the important thing, when we're talking about determination, we're talking about pushing through adversity is, is really, and I tell this, I talk about this all the time is doing the next right thing, right? So let's say, you know, you're getting discouraged,

and there's someone right now watching the show that has followed you your whole career. And the words that come out of your mouth are going to help them. How do they, you know, what would you tell them to do if they're struggling and they're at that point? They just want to quit on their dreams. What would you tell them? Oh, gosh.

I mean, I feel like, you know, that's really the, person that I tried to be every day. It's still also working to honor myself and not giving everything away. I mean, I wrote a book on my life, like, because I wanted to share. I wanted to give back. That was always like at the essence of my core that I used to say, if I can shave off a summer of suffering for someone, then I want to do that. And I think what I've really learned is that, It's important to keep as best as you can a good environment. It's important to really honor yourself and get to know yourself. I'm still doing that.

That that all has a ripple effect. It allows you then to, I feel, have a better environment around you. You know, so much of, I think, So many of the situations that I got caught up in or, you know, got involved with really came from a place of not respecting myself and not loving myself. And that allowed for a lot of abuse and a lot of disrespect. And, you know, I've really started to then focus on developing. my own value and working to understand my worth and understand my place. And, you know, again, I think that that has a great effect because if I can learn to be okay at my core, then I believe

that that allows for you to persevere. It allows for you to be more focused in order to do that. you know, I had to really assess what was around me, you know. I kind of trusted everything. I gave everything away. That created a lot of, you know, like a negative circumstance. So again, I think it's really about, you know, starting with yourself, first and foremost, that it's learning how to love yourself and learning how to love yourself and learning how to value yourself because again, just with myself, I feel like I ended up creating a lot or being

caught up in a lot of chaos because I just wasn't in a good state myself. You know, I ultimately was abusing myself in a lot of ways. And that, you know, that rippled out by them the type of environment, the type of people that I was around, that rippled out by taking everything personally, not being able to just see my worth and anything. So I think it's important, yeah, to know that it's sort of like connecting with your own power, you know, with your own, with understanding that we all have that, that we all have that innate gift of, of energy. And, and, and I think that, you know, when you get to understand that and you feel more empowered, you come to understand that, I think you, you, you come to be able to, to, you, you, you, you come to be able to,

to navigate some of those moments a lot easier, you know? Because so much of that was at my own core, I wasn't able to navigate things in the right way. I would give up, you know? Yeah, I, you know, that's, that's all interesting. And you're spot on on every, every bit of it. And it's, it's so crazy because, you know, one of the main things was when you get to really know yourself to the core, right? You have to truly know yourself and just understand what you're boundaries are in who you are really right and i think that a lot of people kind of put the cart before the horse they want the self-confidence they want all the respect they want to know who they are but yet they're falling short on their standards that they set out i bless you they start uh the standards

that they set on themselves every single day right so if you're you're going on an introspective journey you know you're saying they're okay every day i'm going to do a b and c right so you do A, B, and C, no matter how good or bad you feel, right? And this is where the determination kicks in. Everything that you've gone through in your personal life, everything that Rob's gone through, everything that Bill's gone through. And even myself is, okay, are we going to make the decision to move forward, even though emotionally I feel like shit right now? Right? Because if I don't, if I don't move forward, I'm out of alignment with who I am, right? And I just get further and further away from that person, that man, that woman I'm supposed to be, right? Whereas to your point,

if we keep going and searching for our value, we find it in the work. And a lot of people miss that. Yeah. Well, yeah, because I was, you know, I think, totally I had to understand that a lot of, you know, situations that I was involved in, it really came from a place of me feeling my own last. You know, I was trying to obtain love and affection by love and affection. Like in all these ways, it was like you said, you know, the carp for the horse. It was just, it was more, yeah, I think I had to learn that it really involved beginning with the internal work to then affect my outer circumstances, you know, because I've very, very, easily got caught up in victimhood, you know, and just kind of like blaming everyone and

blaming everything. And I've done, I mean, I still do a lot of this work, but I've had to do a lot of work to not be angry, you know, because of the things that I've gone through. And I mean, when I last time I saw Rob, I was like gushing about how I found Kabbalah and like how it's like, changed my life. And I've really gone into this, you know, on this different. different path and I feel like in a lot of ways it really saved me because I was really, really resentful and bitter about a lot of the things that I've gone through in my life. And so again, that really involves empowering myself and understanding that ultimately I'm okay. We're all okay. It's about understanding what our life's work is or, you know, our path, you know, making the the connections between a lot of the similar things, the similar circumstance that have happened in my life, understanding that those things presented itself in order for me to correct that and learn that issue with myself.

It's so crazy. That involved taking a lot of responsibility and that was something that I really didn't want to do. It's funny because not in a humorous way, but when I look at, you know, the Sean French that was 35 years old, oh, I don't like it. that guy at all. Like, just like you, I was looking for love and in all the wrong places and doing the wrong actions or whatever it was. I was out drinking with the guys. I would take whatever I could because I was so hurt inside, right? I was so, everything was so painful. It was like this

undercurrent of shame and guilt inside me because, you know, I grew up playing baseball. When then my baseball career ended in college, I didn't know who I didn't know who I was. That was my identity. And so I went on blaming others. I went on making stupid decisions, taking whatever I could. And in in the background, there's this ripple effect, right? In this wake of relationships that I was just destroying because I was being selfish. And it wasn't until much, much later into my 40s, I'm like, well, wait a second. You know, I'm 46 now. And it wasn't until I was probably 41 or 42 that I really started to realize, like, you know, that was all bad. Like, what was I doing?

This is all me. I wasn't doing the internal work. So a lot like you, like, every day I'm checking my shit at the door. Like, I got to make sure that I'm holding true to myself. And Rob, where are your thoughts on all this stuff, man? Because this has got to tie in for you for sure. Now I was just thinking about that. Like, got it.

There's so much that I was really angry about, right? there's so much stuff in my past and growing up. And I think it's really not being understood, always being told like, it's like never being understood. I don't know to explain it. It's like I went to this grammar school that was really liberal,

but I was conservative there. Then I went to this conservative high school and I was too liberal there. You know, it's like it's just, that's like a very small piece of it. So I was always very frustrated by many different things. and just trying so hard and never being understood why I couldn't get something or having adults,

we thought were adults, but they really weren't because the way they treated you, like when you look back as a kid in high school, the way these teachers treated kids, I was like, oh my God, like, dude, seriously. You should have been knocked out or taken away from children. Like, they really, I still think about it. I'm 51, right? Like, that's how much they affect you. So I had a lot of anger growing up.

and a lot of disappointments as I always was reaching so high, I guess. And then just never reaching what I thought was success. And then feeling those failures and then my mother getting really sick too early and then her dying, which just destroyed all of us, you know, me a lot. And then like just going through that and then, you know, figure, then my drinking went nuts, you know, and that never helps anything. As much as it's good at the moment. Yeah.

Them getting sober was awesome because I, I'd let go of my anger. Like, it really did. I was like, I gotta let go of this, you know, towards family members and just the past and letting go of the past. And that's what comes into this movie. It's like, it's really hard for me to let go of the past because my childhood was awesome. My mom made it this magical, like, TV show, really. That's how we grew up. And as you get older, you see like, oh, my God, that's not, you know, all these cracks start to come in to play.

So when I got sober, I did let go a lot of anger, a lot of people. And that went really well for a long time. And then, you know, just three years ago, my little brother tragically died. And one night suddenly, right, choked at a dinner party that I still am confused about. And that just took me out, man. Like I didn't drink and I didn't do drugs or anything. I don't know how. I mean, I was in a cloud for, I was about to make the movie in 2021.

I was just about to go and start camping. And then that happened and knocked me back two years. But I didn't stop, right? But that took, like, I worked so hard and getting rid of my anger. And now I'm like angry again. And it's like, oh my God, what do I do? Because I can't get sober to get rid of the anger because I'm sober. So it's like this whole thing.

So I hope that this movie creates these conversations for people to talk about. We're all in this world together. And it's kind of one of those things. Like we all have our problems. And it's like my whole thing is like I just want I treat people the way I want to be treated. And I think if we all did that, God, it would change a lot of things in the world. So I do go through that anger that's back. and we deal with anger and trying to correct ourselves

and not take it out on other people because it just it's where else do you take? That's the hard one. That's the hard one, right? We care about because we always take it out on. Usually the person that's closest to you, spouse. So we're all trying to fix ourselves. And I think that without us can create conversations like this

and people can talk about it. At least it alleviates some of some stress, right? you take a deep breath and that makes a big thing though guys and in and me and like i didn't get the you know i was talking to rob via text earlier and even on the phone yesterday it you know when i say this movie needs to be seen everywhere and you know there's i mean to me it's an oscar nod like i truly mean it you guys absolutely crushed it and i really do feel um if there's anybody listening that that is a part of distribution or anything like that like yo you need to get on this shit because the bottom line is I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it if this movie

is not seen then the world cannot heal it needs to be seen that needs to be seen everywhere it's so nice of you yeah it was incredible Mina thank you I'm grateful to be a part of it Rob's an incredible person he really is and I'm really grateful to have been thought of and to be a part of this journey for him and telling this very important story. You know, that's, that's to me again, one of the greatest gifts. You know, I've worked with people that it took like 12 years to get a project made. It's always like a really special, beautiful thing. And to come in as an actor and a piece of that, it's, I'm very, very grateful for it.

It's an honor. Yeah, I feel that from you. And I'm grateful for you guys for allowing me to be a small part in this whole thing to tell the story on the show. And then to even actually get the opportunity to have a password and watch the movie. That was kind of a cool moment for me, guys. I was like, whoa. I told my wife, I'm like, hey, babe, I got a password. Got a password.

And she didn't get to use it. But I saved her, Mina. I saved her. But no, I just, you know, like this, this day, you know, again, to your point, Rob, you know, the conversation piece is that this movie can really start just in a household, just in a household of like, hey, how are you really? You know, because I think everybody has this preconceived notion, like when someone's, how are you doing? I'm good. It's not always good, right? It is a precondition response.

And so this movie can really truly open up conversations in places that it matters. matters, especially in the public eye, right? It's like, I could look, I could be smiling right now, but you don't know what's going on with me, right? And I think that's the message of the movie. I appreciate that you got to watch it, that you asked us on hearing that you've liked it enough to talk about it with us, so super great.

Well, hell man, you're not getting rid of me, dude. Like you're, you know, you're not getting rid of me. Yeah, we're getting on it. I'm going to chat us with Bill, you talk about it. That's cool, man. That's cool. Yeah, I'm down for that. And I just want to thank you guys again, Mina, Rob, you know, and Bill, who had to drop

up. But I appreciate you guys so, so much. And I cannot wait for more people to see the movie. And I keep giving me the inside of what's going on. I know we can't talk about it on there. But I want you to keep telling me what's going on and what we're looking at because I want to be a big mouthpiece for you. So.

Appreciate it. Whatever I could do, I'm down and, you know, I can't wait to see how this turns out. And I like it, just massive gratitude for all of you for coming on to the show today. Thank you. Thanks a guy. It's lovely to talk to you. Lovely to talk to you too. Absolutely.

Anytime we want to do a follow-up. What's that? Anytime we want to do a follow-up, we get a big deal. We'll come back here first. Hey, listen, when this thing's in every movie theater in the world, world. I'm flying you out. We're going to all do this in person.

All right. I'll take you up on that. Mina hasn't said yes yet. She's like, I don't know. Yes, Mina. Yes. I'll come out there. We'll figure it out.

But no, thank you guys again. And for the audience listening and watching, I want you guys to share the show with somebody you know, love and trust today that will get a ton out of just even hearing bits and pieces of what happened in this. movie and the inspiration in the conversation. We're all about healing in the world. We're all about understanding that people are going through things in life.

And you may feel like they got it all, but they're struggling somewhere. So be kind. Be kind to everybody that you come across because everybody has a story. And until next time, stay determined. Share to French, what up? Fire me. I put my all and everything I'm doing up until it's done. I meet for the entirety.

I'm putting an over time. Just know I'm a go for mine because I earned it. They watch and I know it's time. I confirmed it. A whole society determined.