Episode 258

Pinning Down Novels, Politics, and Entertainment with Dr Chris Whaley and Mike McClaskey

Season 8 of the Excelsior Journeys Podcast is off and running, and this episode featured two veterans of both entertainment and sports entertainment: Dr. Chris Whaley and Mike McClaskey. Chris has been in the squared circle as a professional wrestler and now stands at the pulpit as a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Orlando. He combined his experiences into his first novel "The Masked Saint," which made its way to the big screen in 2016. Mike has faced Chris in the wrestling ring for many years and that has aided his experience as a screenwriter and stunt performer. The two old friends have recently joined forces to co-author the new book "Mr. President?" and they have joined us on the Excelsior Journeys podcast to not only share details about this book, but to also share stories about life on the road and their successful forays into show business.

For more about Chris and Mike, click HERE.

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The Excelsior Journeys podcast exists primarily as a platform for creatives of all kinds (authors, filmmakers, stand-up comics, musicians, voice artists, painters, podcasters, etc) to share their journeys to personal success. It is very important to celebrate those voices as much as possible to not only provide encouragement to up-and-coming talent, but to say thank you to the established men & women for inspiring the current generation of artists.

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About the Podcast

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Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity
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About your host

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George Sirois

George Sirois is the author of the international bestselling young adult / science-fiction novel "Excelsior," its two sequels, and the science-fiction / sports trilogy "From Parts Unknown." He served as President of the Missouri Writers Guild from 2017-2018, and is the host and producer of the podcasts Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity and From Duck Till Dark: Outside the Marvel Studios. In 2023, George adapted his novel "Excelsior" into a feature-length audio drama, which was performed live on Clubhouse with a full cast of voice actors, a vast catalog of sound effects, and a stirring musical score.
George is also an audiobook narrator, lending his voice to over twenty books of all genres, and he is currently on the narrator rosters for Audio Sorceress and Encyclopocalypse Publications.
In 2025, George's short screenplay "Minus One Plus" won the award for Best SciFi Short at the 13th annual Austin Revolution Film Festival. The same year, Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity joined the Podmatch Podcast Network.
A New Yorker since birth, George now lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and daughter. For more information, please visit www.hesgotit.com.