LilyList

About LilyList

LilyList provides resources that help people tell their stories and understand their legacies.

Publisher

LilyList

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Mar 2024

Latest episode

19 May 2026

Latest episodes

33 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 May 2026

   Episode 33: Behind the Lens of Horror Royalty - Subspecies, Texas Chainsaw, and Surviving Roar with Ted Nicolaou

   "When you're making a movie, the high is just indescribable—the kind of camaraderie that you form with people... I wanted to make movies because I loved the process so much." - Ted Nicolaou What does it take to forge a multi-decade career in the trenches of independent cinema? In this episode of The LilyList Podcast, host Curt Meinhold sits down with legendary cult filmmaker, writer, and editor Ted Nicolaou. From his early days at the hippie mecca of UT Austin alongside legendary cinematographer Daniel Pearl , to working as the sound man on the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Ted’s journey through Hollywood is nothing short of cinematic lore. Ted pulls back the curtain on some of the wildest sets in film history. Hear the jaw-dropping story of his time editing and recording sound on Roar - frequently cited as one of the most dangerous movies ever made - where he had to navigate a set with 100 untrained lions armed with nothing but a walking cane. We also dive deep into his long-standing collaboration with B-movie impresario Charles Band , the creation of the vibrant 1980s sci-fi comedy Terrorvision , and the secrets behind the remarkable aesthetic consistency of the iconic, sprawling Subspecies vampire franchise. Whether you are a die-hard horror fanatic, an aspiring indie filmmaker, or a lover of pure, human-driven storytelling, this masterclass in creative resilience is an episode you cannot afford to miss.For more details on Ted's journey, check out his Substack. He releases new stories regularly, has amazing experiences to share, and is a great writer as well:https://tednicolaou.substack.com/p/adventures-in-low-budget-filmmaking Highlights: The Austin Film Explosion: How a pivot away from psychiatry led Ted to UT Austin's film department, where he and classmate Daniel Pearl instantly bonded over their shared "tribe" aesthetic and jumped straight into The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Surviving the Set of Roar: A terrifying and hilarious look inside the Soledad Canyon compound, where untrained apex predators ran amok on the crew side of the fence. The Magic of Subspecies: The logistical triumphs of filming a low-budget gothic masterpiece in a grim, post-Ceaușescu Romania, and how a dedicated cast and crew kept the franchise stunningly consistent across multiple decades. The Disney & Salvador Dalí Connection: Ted discusses his 20-year chapter directing documentaries for Disney and the incredible honor of curating a massive exhibition detailing the real-life friendship between Walt Disney and surrealist master Salvador Dalí. A Genetic Thread of Creativity: A look at how the creative impulse weaves through the Nicolaou family tree, spanning from his grandfather's mythological screenplays to his son's success in the globally touring band, Drab Majesty. As always, visit lilylist.com for more information on the podcast and platform. You can also contact us from the website, if you have questions or ideas for people or topics you’d like to see us cover in the future. If you’d like to support the work of LilyList, you can donate using the links in the description and if you find these conversations meaningful, we thank you for liking, following, sharing, or subscribing wherever you listen. If you would like to support LilyList: Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/lilylistBuy Lily a coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/mediaxzPayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=M8W4BRLCYFYVJ

2. 

   5 Nov 2025

   Episode 32: Nancy Hoffman - adaptability, advocacy, governance

   Join this episode of the LilyList podcast for a compelling conversation with Nancy Hoffmann, a former Greensboro City Councilwoman and seasoned professional with a career spanning multiple industries. Nancy shares the powerful influences of her childhood in Rock Hill, South Carolina, from her father's political activism as a union organizer, to the impactful introduction to great art and music by her third-grade teacher. Nancy's career journey is a masterclass in adaptability, moving from teaching English and history in Beaufort, South Carolina - where she befriended author Pat Conroy - to pioneering roles in human resources and marketing in the textile industry, then to Wall Street financial services, and moving again to the home furnishings and furniture business. She explains her career philosophy isn't a ladder, but a "jungle gym", driven by a constant desire to learn new things and embrace the next opportunity. Learn how her transition from the corporate world to local politics in Greensboro was fueled by a desire to challenge a conservative council, and how her political strategy, including relentless canvassing and a "lucky billboard", led to an enduring elected career. Nancy reflects on the complexities of city governance and the satisfaction of making long-term, ethical decisions for her community, even in the face of political risk. Here are some highlights from the episode: * Political Roots & Activism: Discover how Nancy's father, a supermarket manager, inspired her respect for political involvement after losing his job for organizing retail workers for the AFL-CIO. * The "Jungle Gym" Career: Nancy details her philosophy of a career path that involves lateral steps and learning, moving fluidly from teaching to textiles, finance, and furniture. * Friendship with a Literary Giant: The story of teaching alongside and receiving mentorship from acclaimed Southern author Pat Conroy at Beaufort High School. * A Risky Political Stand: Her decision to stick with a controversial rezoning vote for the good of Greensboro, despite warnings that it could cost her reelection, an election she ultimately ran unopposed in. * Championing Arts & Culture: Nancy discusses her work in creating Creative Greensboro, the Department of Arts and Culture, and advocating for major investments in the Cultural Arts Center, which she views as equally vital as the Science Center. As always, visit lilylist.com for more information on the podcast and platform. You can also contact us from the website, if you have questions or ideas for people or topics you’d like to see us cover in the future. If you’d like to support the work of LilyList, you can donate using the links in the description and if you find these conversations meaningful, we thank you for liking, following, sharing, or subscribing wherever you listen. If you would like to support LilyList: Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/lilylistBuy Lily a coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/mediaxzPayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=M8W4BRLCYFYVJ Outro music: Denouement by Sift - https://siftmusic.com

3. 

   11 Sept 2025

   Episode 31: Joseph Schott - Resilience, Legacy, Creativity

   In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the LilyList podcast, we are honored to welcome Joseph Schott, a man who has witnessed over a century of change, challenge, and triumph. Born in 1922, Joe shares an extraordinary life story that spans from the hardships of the Great Depression to his vital work as a Navy radio technician in WWII, a distinguished career at Bell Labs, and a vibrant second act as a celebrated artist. Joe’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, love, and the enduring power of a creative spirit. Prepare to be moved and inspired by a perspective forged over 100 years of a life lived to the fullest. To learn more about Joe and his work: Joe describes his Navy deployment crossing the North Atlantic to Scotland including Christmas Day 1942, similar, except for battle, to Tom Hank's recent movie Greyhound:https://studio.youtube.com/video/epjPGxtzgvc/edit WABC Radio Sunday night with Joe Piscopo marveling at Joe’s story about Frank Sinatra at his High School Prom:https://studio.youtube.com/video/L2HXBwIx4cw/edit Joe Schott, 96, visits his Fall 1942 Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Base in 2018:https://studio.youtube.com/video/dC58bzwqEiU/edit Joe Schott, 97, tubing on Lake George, NY July 2019, with Joel Wright:https://studio.youtube.com/video/XY6tINLwjgs/edit Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award 2-25-19:https://studio.youtube.com/video/ZClX8_PDUR8/edit Here are some highlights from the episode: * Surviving the Great Depression after losing his father at age eight, and the ingenious ways his incredibly strong mother kept her five children together against all odds. * His vivid memories of serving in the Navy during WWII, from a snowy troopship crossing the Atlantic while hearing Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," to working as a radio technician in Northern Ireland. * The pivotal and often surprising moments in his education, including an elementary school teacher's hurtful "beautiful but dumb" comment and a high school teacher's incredible foresight about the future of electronics. * A love story for the ages: how he spotted his wife, Nancy, across a dance floor and knew instantly they were meant to be, leading to a lifetime of partnership and five children. * How he rediscovered his passion for painting later in life, developing a unique style that finds beauty and humor in everyday objects and continues to bring him joy and connection today. As always, visit lilylist.com for more information on the podcast and platform. You can also contact us from the website, if you have questions or ideas for people or topics you’d like to see us cover in the future. If you’d like to support the work of LilyList, you can donate using the links in the description and if you find these conversations meaningful, we thank you for liking, following, sharing, or subscribing wherever you listen. If you would like to support LilyList: Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/lilylistBuy Lily a coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/mediaxzPayPal - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=M8W4BRLCYFYVJ Outro music: Denouement by Sift - https://siftmusic.com

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

12,622

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.