Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz
Don’t Kill the Messenger dives deep into the careers of Hollywood luminaries including executives and filmmakers alike. Hosted by entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, the interviews are more than story-sharing, they are intimate conversations between friends and a powerful filmmaking masterclass. Discover what it really takes to bring your favorite movies to life. Find Don’t Kill the Messenger on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Learn how movies begin, and end—with the audience.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Producer: Kari Campano
Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, Nick Nunez, & Kari Campano
Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes
Produced at DG Entertainment, Los Angeles CA
Marketing Team: Kari Campano, Dax Ross, Daniel Gamino, & Ashton Brackett
Guest Booking: Kari Campano & Kathy Manabat
Episodes
67 episodes
Scott Ross (Visual Effects Pioneer, Producer, and Entrepreneur) on Creating Movie Magic and the Future of Hollywood Effects
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Scott Ross, a pioneering figure in the visual effects industry. As the former general manager of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Senior VP of LucasArts Entertainment, an...
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Season 2025
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Episode 67
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49:27
Mike Marcus (Manager, Producer, & Former Studio Head) on Building Hollywood Networks and Creating Hit Films
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Mike Marcus, whose impressive 57-year career spans from agency mailroom to MGM Pictures president to management company founder. In his early career as an agent, ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 66
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43:42
Tony Sella (Marketing Executive and Producer) on Creating Unforgettable Movie Campaigns
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Tony Sella, the legendary marketing executive behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie campaigns. During his decades at 20th Century Fox, Sella was the creative force ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 65
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48:39
Shane Black (Writer, Director) on Redefining Action Movies and Embracing Authenticity
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews Shane Black, one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters, who redefined action films with witty dialogue, dark humor, and unforgettable characters. From Lethal Weapo...
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Season 2025
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Episode 64
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55:50
Mike Medavoy (Legendary Agent, Producer, & Studio Executive) on an Extraordinary Hollywood Journey
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes an industry titan-- film producer and studio executive Mike Medavoy. With a career spanning over five decades, Medavoy has been closely involved with over 300 feature films,...
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Season 2025
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Episode 63
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40:23
Chris Landon (Writer, Director, Producer) on Growing Up in Hollywood & Creating "Feel-Good Horror"
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Chris Landon, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer known for films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, Disturbia, and most recently, H...
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Season 2025
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Episode 62
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50:26
David Permut (Oscar® & Emmy® Nominated Producer) on Movie Maps, Making Movies That Matter, and Discovering New Talent
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with acclaimed producer David Permut, the visionary behind films like Face/Off, Hacksaw Ridge (Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), Dragnet, ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 61
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46:47
Elizabeth Gabler (President of Sony 3000 Pictures) on the Art of Book-to-Screen Movie Magic
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with Elizabeth Gabler, known for transforming literary works into cinematic successes. From her early days as an agent's assistant to becoming president of Fox 2000 and now...
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Season 2025
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Episode 60
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52:04
Brad Furman (Director/Producer/Writer) on his Journey from the Basketball Court to Film Sets
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes director and producer Brad Furman, known for films like The Lincoln Lawyer, The Infiltrator, Runner Runner, The Take, and City of Lies. The episode opens w...
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Season 2025
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Episode 59
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47:59
Catherine Paura (Veteran Entertainment Strategist) on Transforming Movie Marketing and Audience Research
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with his good friend, mentor, and colleague, Catherine Paura, a pioneering force in entertainment research who co-founded National Research Group (NRG) in 1977. As an accom...
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Season 2025
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Episode 58
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51:26
Brian Grazer (Oscar and Emmy-Winning Producer) on Curiosity, Creativity, and Human Connection
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer's films and television shows have earned 47 Oscar nominations and 242 Emmy ...
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Season 2024
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Episode 57
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44:07
David Friendly (Academy Award-Nominated Producer and Former Journalist) on His Journey from Newsweek to Hollywood Success
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews David Friendly, whose remarkable career transition from journalism to film production led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture with Little Miss Sunshine
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Season 2024
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Episode 56
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55:09
Gary Lucchesi (Veteran Producer, Studio Executive, and Former Agent) on Working with Talent and Successful Filmmaking
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Gary Lucchesi, the acclaimed producer and former President of the Producer’s Guild of America. From his early days as a talent agent at William Morris to his tenure ...
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Season 2024
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Episode 55
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51:35
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George Folsey Jr. (Veteran Film Editor & Producer) on Film Editing and the Art of the "Fix"
(Interview recorded Aug 14, 2024 and released Nov 6, 2024. George Folsey Jr. died on December 29th, 2024 at the age of 85. Thank you, George, for all that you gave to this industry--you will be missed.)In this episode of "Don't Kill the...
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Season 2024
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Episode 54
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42:53
Susan Cartsonis (Veteran Producer & Former Studio Executive) on Filmmaking and Championing Women’s Stories
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Susan Cartsonis, a renowned producer and former studio executive known for championing women's stories in Hollywood. From 20th Century Fox to independent producing, ...
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Season 2024
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Episode 53
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56:48
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Spring Aspers (President of Sony Music Group, Grammy Nominated Executive) on Music Supervision and the Magic of Movie Soundtracks
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Spring Aspers, the Grammy-nominated President of Sony Pictures Music Group. With a career spanning from intern to President, Spring has become a powerhouse in the fi...
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Season 2024
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Episode 52
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37:01
Paula Wagner and Rick Nicita (Hollywood Power Couple) on their Illustrious Careers as Agents and Producers
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Hollywood power couple Paula Wagner and Rick Nicita. Wagner has worked in the top ranks of the entertainment industry as a talent agent, studio executive, and produc...
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Season 2024
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Episode 51
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53:00
Ron Howard (Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy & Grammy Award-Winning Filmmaker) on His Legendary Career in Hollywood
In this special 50th episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews one of Hollywood's most successful and versatile directors, Ron Howard. His extraordinary career spans over six decades, starting as a child actor including r...
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Season 2024
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Episode 50
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49:59
Cheryl Boone Isaacs (Veteran Marketing Executive & Former President of AMPAS) on Breaking Barriers and Fostering Diversity in Hollywood
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with a trailblazing figure in the entertainment industry, Cheryl Boone Isaacs. As a public relations and marketing executive, Cheryl has worked on marketing campai...
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Season 2024
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Episode 49
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43:58
Will Speck and Josh Gordon (Writers, Directors, Producers) on Mastering Movies, TV, and Commercials as a Creative Duo
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews the directing, producing, and writing team of Will Speck and Josh Gordon. This talented duo has made their mark across various media, directing feature films such...
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Season 2024
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Episode 48
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44:35
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DeVon Franklin (Producer, Bestselling Author, & Former Studio Executive) on Faith, Film, & Finding Success in Hollywood
In this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, Kevin Goetz sits down with DeVon Franklin, film and TV producer, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and former studio executive. Franklin is known for his work on inspirational films ...
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Season 2024
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Episode 47
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45:31
Sharon Stone Part 2 of 2 (Award-Winning Actress, Activist, & Painter) on Her Hollywood Journey
In Part 2 of this 2-part episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with the iconic Sharon Stone to discuss her journey through Hollywood, her experiences with fame, and her philanthropic endeavors. Stone shares personal ...
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Season 2024
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Episode 46
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42:18
Sharon Stone Part 1 of 2 (Award-Winning Actress, Activist, & Painter) on Her Hollywood Journey
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with his longtime friend, the legendary actress Sharon Stone. Sharon shares intimate stories about her upbringing, her journey into modeling and acting, and the challenges she...
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Season 2024
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Episode 45
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33:09
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McG (Acclaimed Director & Producer) on Directing Hollywood Blockbusters and the Power of Audience Research
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with director and producer, Joseph McGinty Nichol, better known as McG. They discuss McG's journey in the entertainment industry, starting with music videos and leading to his...
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Season 2024
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Episode 44
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46:12
Greg Foster (Former CEO of IMAX Entertainment, Industry Consultant) on Transforming IMAX, Working with Hollywood Legends, and the Future of Cinema
In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," Kevin Goetz sits down with Greg Foster, former CEO of IMAX Entertainment and current owner of the entertainment and media consulting firm, Foster + Crew. Foster grew up immersed in the world of Hol...
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Season 2024
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Episode 43
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48:24
