The Hollywood Godfather Podcast · GRI Entertainment

S18E334: S18 E334 - A Night with Engelbert & The Power of Resilience

September 24, 2025·37 min·3 clips

Gianni Russo reveals Frank Sinatra taught him to sing by submerging him in his pool to time how long he could hold his breath before allowing him to sing a note.

Engelbert starts the night. Jeannie has just seen him live, and she is still carrying the songs with her, playing them every day and smiling about the whole thing. She loved it. The concert sounds loose and joyful, with Engelbert singing for about two hours, dancing a little, and keeping the crowd in his hand. No lip sync, she says, and she says it with real delight because someone had wondered about that before she went. The ladies went wild. The host clearly likes hearing the report, partly because Engelbert is his friend, and partly because it lets the room settle into an easy rhythm. Then memory wanders in. A question about how long ago The Godfather was made turns into Seabiscuit and Nicholas Cage, with the host remembering Cage as his wedding ring bearer. It is table talk, a little fuzzy on timing but full of affection. Jeannie brings the conversation toward resilience. She connects the host's childhood in a polio ward with another speaker's story about children left in hospitals and the mark that kind of experience can leave. The host answers with plain gratitude. He does not make it neat. The hardships shaped him, he says, and helped make him who he is. Jeannie hears thankfulness in that. She contrasts it with entitlement and admires how grateful he still seems for life and for what came after. The ending stays close to the people in the room. They pray for people, remind listeners to be good to each other, mention Fanboy Expo, and say good night like regulars closing up a long conversation.

As heard by us

A fond, rambling talk about showmanship, resilience, and remembering out loud.

This episode moves from a concert story about Engelbert into a loose talk about resilience, old memories, and how celebrity connections keep resurfacing over time. The result feels more personal than polished, which suits the mood.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a concert story that folds in gratitude and Hollywood talk.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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