Celebrity Interviews LIVE From The Grotto With Greg Hanna

In this inspiring holiday edition of Celebrity Interviews Live from the Grotto, actor, comedian, and philanthropist Kel Mitchell joins Greg Hanna and Neil Haley to share his heart for giving—just in time for Giving Tuesday.

Famous for his iconic roles on All That and Kenan & Kel, Kel now uses his platform to uplift others through his work with World Vision, the Christian humanitarian organization helping vulnerable families around the world. He shares how partnering with World Vision helped him deepen his passion for service, and how their Gift Catalog makes it easy for families to give meaningfully this season.

Kel also discusses his new feel-good reality show Play It Forward: Game On, where he surprises youth sports teams in need with emotional makeovers and game-changing donations.

• Why World Vision?
  Kel breaks down what drew him to the organization during the pandemic, and why their commitment to faith, clean water, emergency aid, and child sponsorship resonates with him deeply.

• How the Gift Catalog Works
  With over 100 meaningful gifts, donors can give goats, clean water, food kits, and more to families in need—both internationally and right here in the U.S.

• Creating a Culture of Giving at Home
  Kel shares how reviewing the catalog with his own kids helps teach gratitude and compassion during the holidays.

• Making an Impact with “Play It Forward”
  Kel’s latest Nickelodeon series brings emotional, life-changing surprises to under-resourced youth teams. With help from Dick’s Sporting Goods, he outfits gyms, provides gear, and celebrates hardworking coaches and players.

• Faith, Mental Health & Letting Go
  Kel shares his own spiritual perspective and the powerful lesson of “renewing your mind daily”—letting go of yesterday to embrace purpose today.

“Be the reason someone smiles today—and find the joy in everything.”
— Kel Mitchell

“You might be hearing this for a reason. Maybe you’ve wanted to give but didn’t know how. This is your moment.”
— Kel Mitchell on Giving Tuesday

“Spread love like confetti.”
— Kel Mitchell

“Yesterday is gone. What are you doing today? Let’s get it.”
— Kel Mitchell on renewing your mind daily

“We’re not just surprising teams with equipment—we’re telling stories, lifting spirits, and investing in futures.”
— Kel Mitchell on Play It Forward

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization helping children, families, and communities tackle the causes of poverty and injustice in nearly 100 countries. This Giving Tuesday, they encourage families to make a tangible difference through their Gift Catalog, featuring gifts like:

• 🐐 Goats & chickens for farming families

• 💧 Clean water systems

• 🧺 Emergency food kits for families in crisis

• 📚 Child sponsorships

• 🍎 Fresh produce for children in the U.S.

In this inspirational and heartfelt episode, Cedella Marley, daughter of global icon Bob Marley, joins Greg Hanna and Neil Haley for a powerful conversation about purpose, passion, and preserving her father’s legacy while carving her own.

As an author, entrepreneur, recording artist, philanthropist, and CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, Cedella shares the values that have shaped her life, the importance of storytelling across generations, and how music, culture, and sports can be used as tools for empowerment—especially for young women.

She also dives into her work as Global Ambassador for the Jamaica Women’s National Football Team, her successful fashion brand, and the Marley family’s continuing mission to uplift people worldwide.

• Carrying the Marley Legacy Forward
  Cedella reflects on what it means to be Bob Marley’s daughter and how she strives to live his message through action, not just words.

• Marley Family Business & Vision
  As CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, she oversees licensing, branding, and global philanthropy—ensuring the Marley message of peace, love, and unity stays alive for new generations.

• Empowering Through Football
  Learn how Cedella revived and funded the Jamaican Women’s National Football Team (“The Reggae Girlz”), helping them reach the FIFA World Cup and inspiring women across the Caribbean and beyond.

• Music Meets Message
  Cedella discusses her own recording career, her approach to songwriting, and how she fuses traditional reggae with fresh, global sounds to keep the movement going.

• Children’s Books & Legacy Literature
  From One Love to Every Little Thing, Cedella has adapted her father’s most beloved lyrics into children’s stories—teaching kindness, equality, and community from the earliest age.

• Business with Purpose
  Cedella opens up about running Marley Natural and her fashion line, both driven by ethical values, sustainability, and cultural pride.

• Spiritual Center & Personal Growth
  What keeps Cedella grounded? Faith, family, and a clear vision of service—something instilled by both her mother and father.

“I’m not just preserving my father’s legacy—I’m building on it, every single day.”
— Cedella Marley

“Legacy isn’t about the name—it’s about the impact. If you’re not helping people, what are you doing?”
— Cedella Marley

“When I saw those girls training with nothing, I knew I had to step in. That’s what family—and being Jamaican—is all about.”
— Cedella Marley on the Reggae Girlz

“Music, sports, and storytelling are the most powerful ways we have to shape the future. Let’s use them wisely.”
— Cedella Marley

• One Love – A bestselling children’s book adaptation of Bob Marley’s iconic song

• Every Little Thing – Teaches peace and reassurance through colorful storytelling

• 52 Ways to Be More Like Marley – A year of wisdom, mindset, and action

• Redemption – Cedella’s reflections on social justice, spirituality, and healing

• Marley Natural – A premium cannabis and wellness brand

• Catch A Fire Clothing – Sustainable, roots-inspired fashion

Cedella’s passionate advocacy helped revive the Jamaica Women’s National Football Team after they were defunded. Under her leadership and personal financial support, the Reggae Girlz qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup—becoming the first Caribbean nation to do so.

Her work has helped spark a movement of women’s sports empowerment across the region.

In this high-flying, mission-focused episode, Col. Terry Virts, former NASA astronaut, U.S. Air Force colonel, and International Space Station commander, joins Greg Hanna and Neil Haley to talk about his bold new mission—running for the U.S. Senate in Texas.

From flying F-16 combat missions to commanding astronauts in orbit, Terry now sets his sights on restoring common-sense leadership in Washington. He shares his political vision, personal values, and why he's the right candidate to unify Texas across party lines.

Terry breaks down key campaign issues—from healthcare reform and affordable living to public education and Texas innovation. You'll also hear his views on bipartisanship, centrist values, and the growing need for a better way forward in American politics.

• Why Run Now?
  Terry shares what inspired him to run: a love for his country, frustration with gridlock, and a mission-first mindset. He’s not a career politician—he’s a leader who gets things done.

• From Fighter Jets to Campaign Trails
  The story of how witnessing authoritarianism abroad as a young student in Finland shaped his early support for Reagan—and how that evolved into his current run as a Texas Democrat.

• The Texas Voter Reality
  “Texas isn’t as Republican as people think—it’s just non-voting.” Terry discusses the massive untapped voter base and how he’s reaching across ideological divides to activate it.

• Healthcare as an Economic Issue
  Terry outlines a pragmatic, cost-focused approach to reform:

  • Expand supply of doctors and medical residencies

  • Offer free preventive care (mammograms, vaccines, screenings)

  • Target cost inefficiencies without bankrupting the nation

• Education, Vouchers, and Federal Support
  As a product of public schools, Terry defends education funding, opposes state voucher systems, and supports federal aid for underfunded districts and special needs programs.

• Immigration, Tech & Innovation
  As a former astronaut and global traveler, Terry promotes smart immigration policy to attract STEM talent and strengthen Texas’ role in energy, aerospace, and AI.

• Bipartisanship by Example
  Terry shares stories of commanding Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS—while Russia was invading Ukraine. His core principle: “Work with people—even your enemies—for a greater goal.”

• Running as a Centrist Democrat
  Terry openly critiques traditional party politics and DC consultants:

  • He speaks plainly about Donald Trump’s influence on democracy

  • He refuses to run a poll-driven campaign of vague messaging

  • He embraces podcasting, town halls, and even appearing on Newsmax and Fox News to reach voters directly

“Time is batting a thousand. Do what you need to do—because you never know how long you’ve got.”
— Col. Terry Virts

“I’m not running as a partisan—I’m running to represent all Texans: red, blue, and everything in between.”
— Col. Terry Virts

“As an astronaut, I had to work with Russians while they were invading Ukraine. If I can do that in orbit, I can work across the aisle in Washington.”
— Col. Terry Virts

“If we can catch health issues early with free preventative care, we save lives—and money. That’s smart policy.”
— Col. Terry Virts

“I’m the only Democrat in this race who talks about Trump—because I’m not afraid of the truth.”
— Col. Terry Virts

• How to Astronaut – An insider's guide to life in space

• View from Above – A National Geographic photography journey from orbit

• The Astronaut’s Guide (For Kids) – A fun, educational STEM read

• (Plus a future baby board book—“Some Dogs”—on hold during the campaign)

In this entertaining and insightful episode, Rusty Austin—veteran television producer turned children’s book author—joins Greg Hanna and Neil Haley to reflect on his 40-year career in Hollywood, including behind-the-scenes stories from iconic shows like Survivor, Hell’s Kitchen, and Nanny 911.

Rusty shares how his experience shaping real-life storytelling for millions has translated into his new purpose: creating playful, poetic children’s books that encourage creativity and self-expression. His latest release, Awesome Bird: The Pelican, is a poetic tribute to nature, illustrated by middle school students and filled with humor and charm.

Whether you’re a fan of classic reality TV or curious about the craft of writing for children, this episode delivers equal parts nostalgia and inspiration.

Book Title: Awesome Bird: The Pelican
By: Rusty Austin
Audience: Children ages 6–10 (and parents, too!)
Highlights:

• Short, engaging 10- to 15-word poems

• Nonlinear format (great for reluctant readers)

• Do-It-Yourself pages for kids to write and draw

• Illustrated entirely by 7th and 8th grade students

• Inspired by Rusty’s real-life school visits

• The Reality of Reality TV
  Rusty reveals the “400-to-1” shooting ratio on Hell’s Kitchen and how raw footage becomes riveting storytelling.

• Coffee-Fueled Chaos on Nanny 911
  Find out how late-arriving executives, oversized Starbucks orders, and 26-day work weeks defined Fox’s race to beat Super Nanny to air.

• From Survivor to Storybooks
  Learn why Rusty traded cameras for crayons—and how working with children reignited his creative spark.

• Why Writing for Kids Is Harder Than It Looks
  Rusty explains why brevity is key, and how keeping poems under 15 words keeps young readers engaged and entertained.

• How the Classroom Became His Creative Studio
  After visiting a local teacher via DonorsChoose, Rusty invited middle school students to illustrate his next book, leading to dozens of excited contributors and their work published in print.

• On the Future of TV & Content Creation
  Rusty shares an honest take on the changing entertainment landscape, where local programming and digital-first content may replace traditional network TV—and why it’s both a challenge and an opportunity for independent creators.

“In reality TV, we shoot the show, then write the script. In scripted TV, it’s the other way around.”
— Rusty Austin

“I didn’t want to be just another author—I wanted kids to be co-creators. That’s what makes this book special.”
— Rusty Austin on involving student artists

“This too shall pass. Forget the bad, remember the good. That’s something you learn after four decades in television.”
— Rusty Austin

“Local TV will survive like radio did. But creators need to think differently—and act like entrepreneurs.”
— Rusty Austin on the future of TV

• Nonlinear design—flip to any page and start reading

• Encourages creativity with write-your-own pages

• Hilarious animal characters like pelicans, toucans, and axolotls

• Great for classroom inspiration and parent-child reading time