Filmmaker and former news producer Tim Kiley joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Shaun LaBelle, music producer and host of the Shaun LaBelle Show on 100.9FM The Patriot, at Skip Paige’s Little Bar. Kiley traces his journey from childhood movie experiments to a journalism career reshaped by 9/11 and years leading the KESQ newsroom. He shares the family collaboration behind Onru, a zombie thriller exploring a father’s determination to protect his daughter, and the challenges of festival submissions and surround sound. His documentary, Lens Flares: Trauma in Journalism, sparks discussion about the emotional toll of local reporting, newsroom support, and public trust. Alongside humor and movie fandom, Kiley introduces Brothers Movie Company, his nonprofit effort to help creatives get paid, and encourages filmmakers to share their work and support their communities.

Takeaways:

• Witnessing 9/11 redirected Kiley’s filmmaking ambitions toward journalism.
• Effective newsroom leaders understand every job they assign.
• Onru explores parental responsibility through a zombie apocalypse.
• Learning surround sound led to film festival recognition.
• Local journalists face trauma that often goes unaddressed.
• The conversation examines journalism, opinion, and public trust.
• Brothers Movie Company aims to fund paid creative work.
• Share your work, embrace feedback, and support fellow creatives.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #TimKiley #LocalTVNews #IndependentFilm #ShaunLaBelle #KESQ #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #Onru #LensFlares #TraumaInJournalism #BrothersMovieCompany #ShortFilms #FilmFestivals #NewsroomLeadership #CreativeCommunity

What keeps a journalist asking tough questions after decades on television? KESQ anchor Karen Devine joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Shaun LaBelle, music producer and host of the Shaun LaBelle Show on 100.9FM The Patriot, for a conversation about reporting, resilience, and building a life in the Coachella Valley. Recording at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, Karen reflects on her Palm Springs Walk of the Stars honor, mentoring reporters, and the investigations that helped families find answers. She shares her perspective on separating news from opinion, adapting to social media, and checking facts as artificial intelligence enters newsrooms. Beyond the anchor desk, discover her love of Padres baseball, blues music, Sunday Scrabble with her father, and a second chance at love. It’s a look at the person behind the headlines.

Takeaways:

• A Walk of the Stars honor inspires reflection.
• Investigative reporting helps families find answers.
• Separating news from opinion matters.
• Mentoring reporters keeps newsroom veterans learning.
• Social media adds demands to reporting.
• AI tools still require fact checking.
• Family helped shape a career rooted in the desert.
• Baseball, blues, and Scrabble bring joy beyond work.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #KarenDevine #LocalTVNews #ShaunLaBelle #KESQ #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #InvestigativeJournalism #PalmSprings #WalkOfStars #Newsroom #MediaTrust #Journalism #BroadcastNews #CommunityStories #DesertLife

From ballet stages in Japan to cabaret spotlights in Palm Springs, drag entertainer Billy L’Amour has built a life around performing. Billy joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Melanie Blue, at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to share the artistry behind the glamour. Hear how injuries prompted a career reinvention, why a Montreal commitment took priority over pursuing RuPaul’s Drag Race, and how love helped fuel a return to the stage. Billy also reveals the inspiration behind the name, the joy of reuniting with a live band, and the craft of turning laughter into emotional connection. With stories of international tours, creative burnout, and dreams of European cabaret festivals, this conversation celebrates persistence, musical curiosity, and the courage to keep creating a life truly worth taking center stage for.

Takeaways:

• Billy’s drag career began on the ballet stage.
• Injuries sparked a reinvention through singing and cabaret.
• A Montreal commitment took priority over Drag Race.
• Classic entertainers helped inspire Billy’s stage persona.
• Love and encouragement helped Billy return to performing.
• The Love Notes bring collaborative freedom to performances.
• Humor opens audiences to deeper emotional connections.
• European cabaret festivals remain a dream worth pursuing.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #MelanieBlue #ImprovComedy #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #BillyLAmour #DragPerformer #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #PalmSprings #DragCabaret #LiveSinging #TheLoveNotes #Ballet #CreativeReinvention #Cabaret #LiveMusic #DragEntertainment