Celebrity Book Recommendations

11/5/2019

We've had the pleasure of meeting some pretty interesting people over the years. Actors, politicians, pageant winners, producers, and musicians and we're adding more every week!
Here is a list of their book recommendations.

Bryan Cranston

Kimberly and Darrell met Mr. Cranston in New York City in January 2019. He had just finished a performance of his Broadway show Network and was kind enough to meet us for a chat. His book recommendation is his book, A Life in Parts.

Bryon Cranston, Kimberly Braun, Darrell Johnston

Dolly Parton

Darrell worked with Dolly in Nov. of 2018 for a new Christmas show she was working on. She is a dream to work with! When asked about a recommendation she wanted a minute to think about it. I will update this as soon as I get her answer!

Darrell Johnston and Dolly Parton

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert is the host of the Late Show. Darrell asked him for a book recommendation in Jan. 2016. First he said, "have you read the bible?" to which Darrell said, "Yes." He then suggested the Hobbit and finally landed on Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger.

Stephen Colbert

Senator Charles Grassley

Darrell interviewed Senator Grassley in Washington D.C. in Jan. 2019 with Kimberly Braun. We talked about Iowa's role in renewable energy. His recommendation is anything about American history. He eventually had to recommend the Constitution.

Senator Charles Grassley and Darrell Johnston

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Darrell met Nancy Pelosi in April of 2017 at the National Governors Conference where Highway Walkers Media was presenting on a panel about documentaries in policy making. We are anxiously awaiting her book recommendation.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Darrell Johnston

Sue Nelson

Sue has played the organ for the Minnesota Twins for over 30 years. She loves interacting with fans and watching the games. Darrell met her in 2019 and asked her recommendation. It is Kent Hrbek’s: Tales From the Minnesota Twins Dugout.

Sue Nelson

Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels is a renowned actor known for his work on screen and Broadway. Darrell asked him his book recommendation in Jan. 2019 after his Broadway show of To Kill a Mocking Bird. His book recommendation is; Atticus in Biography by Joe Chrispino.

Jeff Daniels

Rod Kaats

Rod is a Broadway Producer and is currently the Producing Artistic Director at the Ordway in St. Paul, MN. He is a good friend and mentor. His reading recommendation is this quote and the books Can Love Last: The Fate of Romance Over Time by: Stephen A Mitchell AND Sex At Dawn by: Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá

Rod Kaats and Darrell Johnston

Tim Guinee

Tim Guinee is an actor appearing in over 200 films and television shows. He works closely with Vice President Al Gore with the Climate Reality Project. We interviewed him on the podcast episode #33. His book recommendation is Disgrace by: JM Coetzee.

Tim Guinee

Morgan Kofoid

Morgan is Ms. Iowa 2020. She will go one to compete in the Miss World pageant. We interviewed her on podcast episode #34. Her book recommendation is Tuesdays with Morie by: Mitch Albom.

Morgan Kofoid

Mary Shields

Darrell met Mary at her home in Alaska in 2019. She was the first woman to finish the Itarod, a dog sled race that runs 1,100 miles. She entered that race in 1974 and paved the way for women to win the race for years to come. Her book recommendation is Two in the Far North by: Margaret Murie.

Sled dog and Mary Shields

Pete Buttigieg

Josiah met presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in Decorah, IA November 2019. Mayor Pete recommends the book Ulysses by James Joyce or The Little Prince.

Pete Buttigieg

J.J. Kelley

J.J. Kelley is a friend, mentor, and an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and explorer focusing on issues of conservation and wildlife crime. He's also the host of the Travel Channel series, "Lost In The Wild," which investigate some of history's greatest adventures gone wrong. Three of Kelley’s documentaries have been featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine. J.J. was a guest on an upcoming episode of the podcast and his book recommendation is Into the Wild by: John Krakauer.

J.J. Kelley and Darrell Johnston

Paul Draper

Paul Draper is a Comedy Presenter, Mind-Reader, and Speaker who has appeared on the History Channel, A&E, HBO, Hallmark, the Travel Channel, HGTV, and shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Pawn Stars, Ghost Adventures, Mindfreak, and House Hunters.

We have had the pleasure of working with Paul while he was on tour. His book recommendation is: The Hero with a Thousand Faces by: Joseph Campbell.

Paul Draper

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