Conversations with Zak Shaffer & Dustin Rubin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zak Shaffer & Dustin Rubin.

Hi Zak & Dustin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In early 2016, an auspicious breakfast meeting led to us (Zak Shaffer and Dustin Rubin) realizing we shared a particular love of 80s movies, soundtracks and pop culture. With a shared desire to bring levity and humor to an audience by putting a smile on their faces (and ours), we created a podcast that focuses on our love of 80s movies, 80’s nostalgia and positivity. Having launched a little over a year and a half ago, the podcast has enabled us to interview some of our favorite personalities from the 80s including Eric Roberts, Olympic Gold Medalist Mitch Gaylord, Annabeth Gish, and countless others who have not only reminisced on their careers in the 80s but also shared stories of inspiration and hope.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the joys of our podcast has always been our ability to record our local guests in person at our studio, “Real Voice LA” When the pandemic hit last year, we had to abruptly transition to an entirely remote setup. Suddenly, we were challenged by no longer having a face to-face connection with ourselves and our guests, internet instability, fears of the coronavirus & civil unrest, etc. Our uplifting podcast was now faced with finding humor and hope in a tragic time. Fortunately, by focusing on the love and appreciation of our guests’ journeys, we’ve been able to continue making content that brings joy.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Zak: I’m a former kindergarten teacher of 15 years who made the transition to voice acting in 2014 after my now 7-year-old son (Bodhi) was born. I have truly “followed my bliss” by focusing on what brings me joy…Voice Acting, Podcasting, Full-Time “Daddying”, and running a Greek Mythological Summer Camp inspired by Percy Jackson this summer! I’m proud of the fact that I’m doing everything that makes me happy. Thanks in part to my very supportive wife (Kristen) and equally encouraging friends like my cohost Dustin.

Dustin: I’m grateful to be a full-time voice actor. Recent credits include being the voice of TBS’ Primetime Movies, as well as their brand and on-demand voice, along with being a promo voice for TNT, TruTV, Netflix, A&E, CBS & others. Commercially, I am the voice of Jake from State Farm’s dog, the voice of Michael Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila, and a campaign voice for Panda Express. I also voice lots of narration and video games. Doing “Two Dollar Late Fee” with Zak has brought me lots of necessary joy during a tough pandemic year. www.dustinrubin.com

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Interviewing these icons from our childhood has taught us that it’s more about the journey than the destination. Equally compelling have been the lessons in perseverance. Many of our guests have shared moments in their lives when they’ve needed to overcome sizable challenges and connecting on a human level with them has been really special.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.twodollarlatefee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodollarlatefee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twodollarlatefeepodcast/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/2dollarlatefee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWCNr3FfnkOdwQfq_xykUhQ