Let's talk about Verticals

Michaela Bergmann

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc.

Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides.

Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

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119 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes119

Newest first

Dec 24, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
38 - Cayman Cardiff - Christmas, Verticals, Actor's life and a lot of laughter...
Some ⚠️ Irony & sarcasm warning! ⚠️ 😉  This episode comes with a high risk of sore laughing muscles — seriously, I don’t remember the last time I laughed this hard during a recording. So please don’t take everything we talk about too seriously… a lot of it is very much intentional. 😏 I sat down with Cayman Cardiff @caymancardiff to discuss the truly important questions in life. Just in time for the holidays, we’re debating whether Santa Claus can (and does) visit countries without snow — and if so, how on earth he pulls that off 🎅🌍. We also tackle the fundamental question of whether Michael Bublé secretly controls the weather and causes snowfall ❄️🎶. Naturally, a very scientific discussion was required — we consider it our educational duty. Of course, it’s not all nonsense. We also talk about Cayman’s vertical career, the wide range of roles he’s played over the years, what it’s like filming in various uniforms in sometimes very hot conditions 🥵🎬, and how he manages to maintain a solid work-life balance despite tightly packed shooting schedules. We also dive into what kinds of roles he’d still love to play in the future and his first steps as a producer on “House of Flies” 🎥✨. All of this — and much more — wrapped up with lots of wit, humor, and charm awaits you in this episode. 🎄 Happy Holidays, my loves, and enjoy listening! 🎧💫
Dec 23, 2025 · 42 min
37 - Patric Palkens - From professional ballet dancer to vertical mafia boss...
🎬 Another Vertical actor joins me on the podcast! This time, I’m talking to Patric Palkins, who took a very different career path before entering the Vertical world. For 17 years, Patric was a professional ballet dancer 🩰 — trained in classical ballet and performing on some of the world’s biggest stages 🌍✨. He shares how he got into classical ballet, what it felt like to dance on major international stages, and the very special feeling that ballet gave him as an artist and a person.We also talk about why he decided to hang up his ballet shoes and trade that professional career for a completely new one — acting 🎭. Along the way, we speculate why he keeps getting cast in roles with a slightly evil edge 😈 — usually in a suit (which, by the way, is not his thing 😄) — and where we hope the world of Verticals will head in the future 🚀. On top of that, Patric shares his personal tips on how to recharge your energy on a day off 🔋✨ and gives a surprisingly simple explanation of what makes tacos so special 🌮😉. All of that and more in this episode — have fun tuning in and listening! 🎧💫
Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
36 - Mark Pontarelli - Will he set a new Vertical standard in Italy? 🇮🇹🎬✨
🎄 Christmas is just around the corner!  I sat down with Mark Pontarelli @markjpont for a cozy little pre-holiday chat, where we talk about when and how he celebrates Christmas 🎅, his acting goals for the new year 🎭, and we look back on everything the past few months had to offer. Since — aside from one shoot in the UK 🇬🇧 — Mark hasn’t had any other shoots in Europe yet, we start brainstorming together: what kind of shooting project would actually make sense, which Vertical title would be the perfect fit, and why Nick Ritacco @nick.ritacco and Michael Vaccaro @michaelvaccaro might want to start packing their suitcases for a trip to Italy 🇮🇹✈️. And yes… the Pope may or may not play a role in this entire spectacle 🙏😇 — you’ll have to listen to find out. We also talk about which Verticals he especially enjoyed in 2025, which ones carried a deeper meaning for him, what he loves about this form of creativity and art 🎬✨, and what he’s hoping for when it comes to Verticals in 2026. A wonderful, funny, and slightly chaotic conversation about God (the Pope 😄) and the world — one you definitely don’t want to miss. 🎧 Happy listening & Merry Christmas vibes! 🎄💫
Dec 20, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
35 - Kasey Esser - The German-blooded vertical legend ✨
It’s finally happening – and I couldn’t be happier to welcome a true Vertical legend as my guest: Kasey Esser 🎬✨ With his incredible versatility as a person (as we quickly discover, there’s a Business Kasey, an Acting Kasey, a Producing Kasey, a Fitness Kasey, and many more), he has already aimed high in life – and reached many of those goals. And trust me: the next big plans are already in motion 🚀 We chat about his journey, which actually started before acting, with the opening of a fitness studio in LA 💪🇺🇸, and how that eventually led him into the vertical space. When he landed his very first vertical, “Fated to My Forbidden Alpha”, he honestly thought not many people would watch it – turns out, he was very wrong 😄🔥Since then, things have only gone one way: up. Steeply up. 📈 Today, alongside acting, Kasey has stepped behind the camera as well. He has just written, produced, and starred in his very first own vertical – a huge milestone 🎥👏 How has this rapid development over the past few years shaped his personality and character? What would he, looking back, maybe change or do differently? And why does he think that, in some ways, he’s actually very German? 🇩🇪😉 All this – and so much more – awaits you in this episode and in this wonderful, open, and inspiring conversation between Kasey and me 💬👉 This is one you definitely don’t want to miss. Tune in, press play, and enjoy 🎧✨
Dec 17, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
34 - Alina Averianova - No one understands the Vertical Script like she does...
Scripts are a big deal in the vertical world 🎬 — and let’s be honest: from an audience point of view, some things in verticals just make us go “wait… what?” 🤨😂 That’s exactly why I’m extra excited to chat with Alina Averianova @alinavestory today! If anyone knows their way around scripts, it’s her — Alina is a Script Supervisor in the vertical space 📝✨. Is the job really as fancy as it sounds? And what does a script supervisor actually do all day? She spills all the tea in this episode ☕😉 And of course, I had to finally get answers to some long-standing mysteries, like: * Why does an outfit suddenly change even though it’s clearly the same scene? 👗🤔 * Why does spilled wine magically disappear from clothes? 🍷✨ * How is everyone’s hair already perfectly dry right after a shower scene?! 🚿💁‍♀️ * And why is the defibrillator almost always placed on top of clothing instead of bare skin? ⚡😳 In Alina, I finally found the long-lost detail manager of the vertical space (shoutout to episode 9 with Caitlyn @verticait 👀😉), giving us some very exciting behind-the-scenes insights into vertical productions 🎥✨ We also chat about her journey into becoming a script supervisor, the stress and challenges that come with the job 😮‍💨, and the little wishes and dreams she has for her future 🌈💭 A super fun, fast-paced and insightful conversation that gave me — as a vertical viewer — so many long-overdue answers 🙌 Trust me: you do not want to miss this episode 🎧🔥
Dec 13, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
33 - Fantalk - Ramona (Vertical Lessons) - The pure Italian Fan power...
In this episode, we’re joined by pure Italian power 🇮🇹🔥 The wonderful Ramona from Vertical Lessons met up with me spontaneously for a conversation – and what a conversation it was!She’s also the creative force behind the intro of this podcast 🎶 and the background music for my Sneak Peek videos🎥✨. Ramona is still relatively new to the Vertical space – she’s been addicted to Verticals only since March 2025 📱💥. But don’t let that fool you: since then, she has watched over 500 Verticals 😱📈! Together with her brother, she runs the platform Vertical Lessons. Their mission? Not only to write reviews 📝, but also to highlight the lessons they believe certain Verticals are trying to teach us 🤔💡.True to her Italian roots 🇮🇹❤️, Ramona’s heart especially beats for mafia Verticals 🕶️🔫. She firmly believes these stories should be produced where the mafia is more or less “at home”: Italy. And yes – she openly offers herself as a point of contact for directors and production companies 🎬🤝. What else is she absolutely into? Fast cars, lots of horsepower, and pure adrenaline 🏎️💨⚡Crazy fact about Ramona? She will be taking part in the next Rally Dakar 🏜️🔥🏁 If that alone isn’t a Vertical-worthy story, what is?! 🎧 This episode is an absolute must-listen. Don’t miss out on this incredible burst of energy and passion! 💥✨
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
32 - Fantalk - Aline (i.love.verticals) - The Frenchie girl who enriches the Vertical Fan Space...
🎉 @i.love.verticals just turned ONE! And that alone was the perfect reason to celebrate with a special fan episode featuring Aline. A Werewolf Vertical was her gateway into the industry — and since then, she’s become an essential part of the community. 🐺✨ On her page, she creates seasonal story-driven Verticals (currently her Advent Vertical 🎄) and shares open, honest reviews you can truly rely on. Thanks to her “Get to Know” category, the audience also gets to meet and understand many Vertical actors a little better. 🎬💬 Her AI-generated chibis give her page a unique, adorable signature style. And I’m especially happy she regularly joins our Monthly Recap episodes to share her thoughts on everything happening in the Vertical space. 🗣️💡 Another highlight is her format “Vertical You”: Fill out her questionnaire and Aline will craft a personalized, AI-generated Vertical description — often so good it could easily become a real Vertical. 🤖✨📜 Aline’s page is full of insights, entertainment, and fun — for both audiences and creatives. She’s a passionate yet critical Vertical watcher with clear no-gos that can make her switch off a Vertical early. But when it comes to certain casts or the works of her favorite directors Danny Farber @sirdannyfarber and Matt Macedo @mattmacedo , she’s always tuned in and ready to enjoy any genre. 🎧🔥 In our conversation, she also shares how a Frenchie girl ended up living in Canada 🇫🇷➡️🇨🇦, what her small but meaningful Vertical dream looks like, and why supporting smaller platforms matters so much to her. 💛 Check it out and tune in. And don't forget to like and share!
Dec 8, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
31 - Fantalk - November Recap with Christmas glitter...
November is behind us, and once again there were tons of Verticals to watch — which means there’s plenty to talk about in this month’s Monthly Recap! 🎬✨ Joining me are Dalia @verticalfilmslover , Caitlyn @verticaitand Brittany @drama_ink_diaries , and together we dive into who impressed us the most this month, who left us a bit disappointed, and which app delivered the best Verticals overall. 📱⭐ We’re also introducing a brand-new category to the recap: 🎭 The Side Role Actor/Actress of the Month! From now on, we want to shine a brighter spotlight on supporting actors — and soon we’ll also highlight the best on-screen chemistry between performers. 💫 And since Christmas is right around the corner and many apps are packed with festive Verticals, we wrap up by sharing our current favorite Christmas Verticals — perfect to get you into the holiday spirit. 🎄❤️ All in all, it’s another episode full of all things Verticals from the month of November. Definitely worth tuning in! You might even discover a Vertical you haven’t seen yet but absolutely should! 👀🔥 Enjoy listening, and an early Happy Holidays from the Recap Crew! ❄️🎁✨ And don't forget to like and share!
Dec 6, 2025 · 52 min
30 - Giovanni DeVal - Thanks to the dean, a successful (vertical) actor with a degree... 😉
Giovanni DeVal joins me in this episode, bringing along a touch of Italian flair 🇮🇹 (even if only ancestrally 😉). We chat about his first experiences in film 🎬 and why, back then, he simply wasn’t “dead enough” for his brother’s project 😄.I also remind Gio that he owes his school principal a long-overdue thank-you 🍎 — after all, she indirectly helped set the stage for his acting career 🎭.He tells me what he loved doing as a child 👦✨, what he dreamed of becoming one day 💭, why he gets up so early every morning ⏰ and what his typical start to the day looks like 🌅. We also talk about his breakfast preferences 🥐☕ — which, as he reveals, depend on one very specific factor. What factor? You’ll find out exclusively in this episode 🤫.Of course, we also dive into the allure of playing the villain 😈, his latest vertical video 📱, and why everyone should watch it and share their thoughts with him 💬🔥.👉 Tune in and enjoy! Have fun listening 🎧✨
Dec 3, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
29 - Tina Ann Brock - The world between Theater Stage and Vertical World...
In this episode, I’m joined by Tina Ann Brock @tinaannbrock . The New York–based actress has spent many successful years shining in all kinds of acting fields. She’s an award-winning American stage, film, and television character actress, known for playing fun, eccentric, and powerful characters — always “poised, precise, with a dash of wacky.” ✨🎭 She brings this amazing versatility to her vertical roles as well: from the evil stepmother 👀, to a queen 👑, a loving and caring mom 🤱, or even a good witch 🧙‍♀️ — there’s truly no role she can’t embody perfectly. Tina shares how her mother sparked her love for dressing up and stepping into different characters early on, why that magic still captivates her both on stage and in verticals, and what goes through her mind when she reads certain scripts. 🎬💭 We dive into all that and so much more — and trust me, it’s definitely worth tuning in! 🎧💬
Nov 29, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
28 - Karie Donovan - Coordinated intimacy at the vertical set...
Intimacy — a topic people rarely love to talk about in public 😅 …but my guest and I go all in for a full hour! 🎙️❤️ This week, I’m joined by Intimacy Coordinator Karie Donnovan. @valleyintimacypro Thanks to her work, actors feel safe and comfortable even in the most delicate and intimate scenes on set 😌🎬 And trust me — you wouldn’t believe all the things an intimacy coordinator is actually responsible for! 👀✨ Karie shares how she prepares for the many different “situations” that can come up during vertical shooting 📹😉, where boundaries and challenges around intimacy can appear, and what the emotional world on set really looks like. We unpack all that and so much more in this open and insightful conversation 💬💖 Tune in — you don’t want to miss this fascinating episode! 🎧✨
Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
27 - Danny Farber - Bursting Creativity in the Vertical World...
In today’s episode, I’m chatting with a super creative mind in the vertical world — Director and Actor Danny Farber. This episode is bursting with creativity! 🎨✨ We take the idea of the Criminal Vertical Series — a concept I originally developed with Kirby Ellwood @kirby.ellwood — and elevate it with some fantastic new twists. Plus, I give Danny a little tip on how he could hide his signature Easter Egg in a pirate-themed vertical. 🏴‍☠️🐣 We also talk about what makes filming in Europe — especially in Istanbul — so special for Danny, and what improvements he wishes to see for crews and especially for female actresses, as well as for storytelling overall. 🎬💡 Danny’s first steps into the vertical space in 2023 were like being thrown into cold water, but I’m so glad he feels completely at home in this world now. 🌊📱 We dive into different perspectives on verticals, storytelling, the big NO-GOs, the platforms, clients, and so much more. 🚫📲 A real highlight: Danny performs his brand-new song “Istanbul” live and unplugged — exclusively in this episode! 🎶🔥 And yes… we even set up a music gig for him here in Germany at “Michaela’s Soundgarden.” 🌿🎤 You don’t want to miss this creativity-packed episode — tune in and enjoy! 🎧💥 Also visit www.sirdannyfarber.com
Nov 22, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
26 - Buddy Caine - The Bachelor-Waffle-Vertical Talk...
In this episode, you’ll hear a super fun and down-to-earth conversation between two Bachelor of Arts grads 🎓😄. No fancy academic talk here—just real talk about the vertical content world, packed with charm and humor 💬✨. During what I like to call a “waffle talk” 🧇 (okay… I was the only one actually eating waffles), Buddy shares how he’s been trying to bring more acting into his life alongside his full-time job 🎭💼. We also chat about which sport verticals he’d totally rock 🏋️‍♂️🤸‍♂️ and why he thinks he’s absolutely not the guy for a basketball vertical 🏀😂. He tells me what he’s grateful for on set 🎥🙏, what he’d love to see evolve in the vertical world 🌍📱, and what it’s like to know both sides of the production business 🎬🔄. Why his mom can’t watch some of his films/verticals 🙈, why Buddy feels like he’s in a real-life Forrest Gump moment in this episode 🏃‍♂️🍫, and what he expects when he plays my brother in a vertical 🤦‍♂️🎬 — you’ll hear all that and more exclusively in this episode!
Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
25 - Kirby Ellwood - The Vertical Million Dollar Idea...
In this new episode, I welcome the wonderful Kirby Ellwood @kirby.ellwood , with whom I was able to have a very refreshing and humorous conversation. 🤩 With an impressive 27 lead roles, she is a highly sought-after vertical actress. 🎬 She reveals to me that she has actually never starred in a werewolf vertical and has never filmed a vertical production in Europe. Why? We wonder… 🤔🌍 Since she’s a beer lover and would love to visit Munich for Oktoberfest one day, I give her a little crash course on it 🍺🎡, and we also talk about the things she considers essential for always spreading good vibes. ✨😄 Why do we urgently need to contact Matt Macedo @mattmacedo and Robert Palmer Watkins @robertpalmerwatkins , and what million-dollar idea did we come up with to solve, among other things, Kirby’s Europe “problem”? 💡💸 You’ll find out all of this and much more exclusively in this episode! So tune in! 🎧🔥
Nov 15, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
24 - Lukas Silva - My long-lost brother in the Vertical World 😉...
In this new podcast episode, I finally meet—so it seems—the brother I’ve wished for my entire life. Lukas Silva and I discover so many similarities in all kinds of areas that we’re convinced we must be related. He tells me how, at the beginning of 2024, he took his first step into the Vertical World, how he then found himself in the right place at the right time to land a fantastic lead role, where he has been able to travel thanks to vertical shoots, and what his experiences have been like.Curious what kind of characters he likes to portray in verticals? You'll get the answers in this episode. With his Italian roots, his love for Italy remains unbroken—just like his wish to maybe live there one day. He also shares what he appreciates about Europe compared to America and what dreams he still has outside the Vertical World.I also learn quite a bit about his cooking skills, his favorite dishes, and what he finds so inspiring about Arnold Schwarzenegger. We also talk about how the Vertical World has evolved and changed since his very first shoot, what he thinks could still improve or develop further, and where we’d love to see new innovations.And what’s behind his sensitive aura and the so-called “comfort-movie”? Tune in to find out.
Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
23 - Bryan Mangam - How starting out with a creepy role has paid off...
🎙️ New Episode Out Now! In this episode, I’m chatting with Bryan Mangam, a New York–based actor known for his edgy and eccentric rolesacross feature films, TV series, and commercial projects. Beyond his on-screen work, Bryan is also a writer and producer with plenty of creative stories to tell.We dive into the challenges of the vertical world, why it’s not always easy for audiences to navigate the platform jungle, and what kind of changes and innovations might be needed — especially when it comes to genres and storytelling formats.Curious to hear which role Bryan found the most weird and funny? What stories he’s dying to put on paper as a writer? And what was going through his mind at the very start of his acting career?Then you definitely don’t want to miss this one — tune in and join us as we explore the creative chaos of the vertical world! 🎬✨
Nov 8, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
22 - Carin Smolinski - The woman with Superpower in the Vertical World...
In today’s episode I’m chatting with Carin @carinsmolinski — a creative powerhouse who’s seen a whole lot of the world. After spending some time living in Japan and exploring different corners of the globe, she eventually made her way back home to Canada — and that’s where she first discovered the world of Verticals. After being involved in more than 20 Verticals, Carin decided it was time to tell her own story. She picked up the pen, wrote her very first Vertical script with a fresh and exciting storyline, and then took things even further by directing it herself — alongside her son, Indiana Wilson @indiana_wilson_films , who stepped in as Director of Photography. Tides of desire was born! @tides_of_desire_vertical With what she calls her superpower, Carin is full of energy, motivation, and unstoppable drive to shake things up in the Vertical world. We also talk about why she’s actually at a triple disadvantage when shooting Verticals in Canada — and, of course, her future plans, her own Vertical project, and the many new stories already buzzing around in her head. Check it out and tune in. And don't forget to like and share!
Nov 5, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
21 - Declan Clifford - The eternal runner-up in the Vertical World...
I was so happy to have Declan Clifford as a guest on my podcast – in my opinion, he really deserves to be more in the spotlight 😉. In this episode, he doesn’t have to stand in anyone’s shadow, because the stage is all his today!We chat about how he feels being “the eternal runner-up,” and what it was like to finally play his first leading role in the Vertical “Pool Boy.”Declan has played a wide variety of characters over the years — including quite a few villains — and he tells me how he prepares for those roles (because, as we all know, that’s so not his real-life personality!).We also talk about what it was like for this Aussie to find his way around Los Angeles, how he deals with his natural accent in the Vertical world, and what helps him switch back into “private Declan” mode after long days on set or a big wrap and much more.Check it out and tune in. And don't forget to like and share!
Nov 1, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
20 - Fantalk - Lisa (Vertical Drama Queen) - Royal visit from Down Under...
In this episode, we’re heading to the other side of the world - all the way to Australia to meet Lisa! Many of you might know her as Vertical Drama Queen on Instagram, but she’s also the founder and driving force behind Team Cayman, the fan page dedicated to Cayman Cardiff and Daniel Jongma Fandom. Lisa is also a bit of a “victim” of the platforms’ clever marketing strategies — that’s how she ended up in the world of verticals and has been more or less stuck there ever since (just like so many other fans!). We chat about what makes a good vertical in her eyes, which apps she loves to use to watch them, and how she ended up running fan pages for both Cayman and Daniel. She also tells me also about the three scripts she’s currently working on — hoping they’ll one day make it into vertical production and bring us, the audience, even better stories to enjoy. The reviews on her Vertical Drama Queen page are open and honest — just like the interviews she does. Entertainment is guaranteed! She’s also part of the Monthly Recap group for this podcast. How much time she spends on her fan pages every day, what her husband thinks about her constantly searching for shirtless pics of Cayman ;-) , and so much more — you’ll find out all about it in this podcast episode! Check it out and tune in. And don't forget to like and share!
Oct 31, 2025 · 1 hr 47 min
19 - Fantalk - The XXL October Recap with a Halloween touch...
THE LADIES AND I ARE BACK 😎 in a XXL Version! With a fresh Recap for October and a special segment for Halloween where we tell you our Top 3 of werwolf/vampire ones 🧛‍♂️🐺 Do you want to hear the collective opinions of a few fans at once? Unvarnished, open, honest, and direct? Then this monthly review episode is just right for you! I'll be reviewing the month of October with five ladies who are active in the vertical world. @verticalviewweekly @verticalfilmslover @verticait @realreeldrama @i.love.verticals We talk about verticals, apps, actors and actresses, and much more. Also about the good and bad things that have occupied us this month, speak openly about what we as an audience no longer want and where we see room for improvement. We also decided to give @felix_merback a special award 😁 You wanna know for example the answers to the following questions? - Actress of the month? - Actor of the month? - Vertical of the month? - Why is @realreeldrama so worried about @kikifrags ? - Which vertical you shouldn't watch right before going to bed in @i.love.verticals opinion? - What makes @verticalviewweekly so obsessed? Then you should definitely tune in and listen! And don't forget to like and share!