9/11 Documentary Director Joins Us

0:00Hey, I arrived almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multitasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get D-Mobile. So many reasons to join D-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclosepetextintelligence data of National Speed Score results in incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026.

1:25If you're the type of person who wants data, not assumptions, pre-newvose whole body scan gives you a deep understanding of your health. Screen for over 500 conditions, including many cancers, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Add blood panels to test over 80 biomarkers. And you've got information about your body you may never have had before. Book your scan at pre-newvo.com. That's P-R-E-N-U-V-O.com. A couple of weeks ago, Boomer came in and said, you got to watch this documentary. It's called The Heroism and Resiliency of 9-11. You can rent it on Amazon. You can rent it through Apple TV. And we have the filmmaker in of The Heroism and Resiliency of 9-11. That's Michael Geier in studio with us right now. Michael, good morning. Thanks for coming in today. My pleasure. Thank you for having me.

2:26Yeah, Michael. It's great to see you today. Obviously, the day before this is Faithful 25th Commemoration tomorrow of what happened 25 years ago. I watched this. I've watched a lot of documentaries. Of course, I was attached to the people up on the 105th floor. Can if it's Gerald, a lot of friends. I lost that day. And this tells the story from start to finish, so to speak. And it starts with the tragedy. And it ends up with the triumph. And it speaks of all the different aspects of what happened that day on 9-11 or all the different things that were going on and how many things were put in motion. What like caught your initial, I guess, attention or what surprised you about what happened on that day and how people were reacting? So I was on the West Coast on 9-11, 25 years ago. So we're very far away from what was taking place here. And Chris Meek reached out to me at the end of 2021 about producing this film about 9-11

3:28for the 25th commemoration. And we all have seen the films about the tragedy. And so first, he and I talked about it and we decided what we wanted to focus on were the positive things that came from 9-11 despite the tragedy. So I then had to do a lot of research to find those positive stories, which I did, as you saw. And there are so many more. I'm still learning stories. I've filled with positive stories. And the reason was, the tragedy was just the beginning of the story. And yet most documentaries are all about the tragedy. This film is about the rest of the story, which is how America came together, how strangers were there for strangers and all the amazing stories of heroism and things that took place despite that tragedy. Yeah. And we've seen over the years some of the same stories that need to be told, Red Bandana story, obviously, one of the great ones. The one that I had never heard before was the EMT who had struggled with addiction and felt the need to go and help at ground zero.

4:30So tell me about that story and you wanting to put this in the documentary. So that was Will Hemenos Vescu. He's a Port Authority police officer who was buried 30 feet below the towers with his sergeant, Sergeant McLaughlin. And they were down there for over 10 hours before that anybody knew they were there. And then three first responders showed up while I should say two. Chuck Sharika had been a paramedic in the past, but he struggled with drug addiction and alcohol addiction. He had just gotten out of rehab not too long before. And he woke up that morning because he said he was depressed after a few days. So on TV, it was taking place. He listened to a voice from a sister who said, oh, you must be down at ground zero helping. And he said, he wasn't thinking about actually going down to help. He didn't want her. He didn't want to disappoint her. That's why he chose to go down and help. And then he ends up being part of this amazing rescuer. He risked his life. He threw on an old paramedic shirt, although he no longer had his license. He still had his training from years ago. And he went down there with Scott Strauss, the Paddy McGee. They spent hours down there in amongst the smoke and the dust and it was awful.

5:32Tiny spaces. They did not think they were going to come out alive. And so yeah, that's pretty amazing that he has that. And he told me he struggled since. He's had lots of ups and downs in life because that's the one thing I can look back on and be proud of that I was there to save a man's life. That's one of the triumph stories. Absolutely. You also do a number of reenactments that was reenacted. The Flight 93 reenactment also was very powerful because a lot of those people that were passengers on that plane actually were calling their loved ones telling them that they were probably never going to see them again because the loved ones were telling them what had happened with the previous planes. Exactly. How hard was it to do the reenactments to make sure that they came out the way they should have come out and really expressed who these folks were? So the reenactments came later. We weren't planning on doing reenactments originally. But after I had most of the film edited, I called Chris and said we really need to add reenactments to help show the story, not just hear it. And so I live in Hollywood. I cast actors all the time. So I put out a casting notice and I already had the story.

6:35So I needed to write what we wanted to film that would go along with the stories. And one of the stories I featured was Jack Gran Colis's story about his wife Lauren Gran Colis and their unborn child that died on that plane. Yeah. She was pregnant and she left a voice mail message on their voice recorder at home while he was sleeping because she got on an earlier flight because she wanted to get home to see him. Yeah. And so we played that voice recording in the film, which is so powerful. But yeah, so yeah, these people, so that's how I was able to be accurate. We already had their story. And so and Jack was very, you know, he told me what his wife was like. She was a very strong personality. When you listen to that voice mail, you don't hear emotion, you don't hear tears. She was a strong woman. And so I really wanted to make sure I found an actress that could portray that. And when we filmed it, I kept telling her, I want you to show this with strength because I had her melting the word, saying the words with Lauren's real voice mouse so that it looked like Lauren. And I cut back and forth between the actor, Jack Gran Colis and Lauren on the plane. I cut back and forth.

7:36And I said, we need to see that strength. So when Jack saw the film, he said, you nailed Lauren. And so he was so proud that, you know, we had a wonderful actress that represented her correctly. And I did that with all his reenactments. I wanted them to let me know what it needed to be and verify that it was correct. Michael Geier in studio with us. He is the documentarian who made the heroism and resiliency of 9-11. You can find it and rent it on Amazon Apple TV, YouTube. In all seriousness, serious question. You have a tough time casting for terrorists when you do these reenactments. The people want, I mean, I can't imagine saying casting call out for terrorists. Well I had some people who turned me down. People I had hired in the past. I said, hey, I've got a great, great job for you. It's an important film. And they said, no, you know, I don't want to represent us, my people, you know, basically as terrorists. And no, but I had other actors who are like, absolutely, they understood the mission, you know, what we were trying to portray. So, you know, I was able to find the actors that I needed. You know, the thing about this, I don't think you're really focused a lot on that part of

8:39it. It was really the reactionary part of what was going on. And one of the people that you spoke to quite a bit was Andrew Card. He was the chief of staff at the White House and president George Bush. And I thought, I thought his interviews were tremendous. I thought they were really enlightening. I learned something from them. Do you think that we teach this enough to our younger generations right now? Or do you think that this has been somewhat forgotten? I believe it has been forgotten. And that's one of the missions of the 9-11 Legacy Foundation, which Chris Meek founded. And that is to educate the next generation. They've actually put together a curriculum because there are most of the states don't even, aren't we required to teach about 9-11? There are a number of states that do, but most don't. And I recently interviewed this Secretary of Education, Secretary McMahon, thinking the federal government had something to do with who teaches what in the states? Well, they're trying to get the states to take more responsibility when it comes to education and get the federal government out of it. Hey, I arrived almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes.

9:40That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multitasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. It's a space-down analysis by UglospeedTest Intelligence, the data of national speed school results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Heading back to campus, timed web grades your entire tech setup. Switch to Verizon, buy or bring a qualifying smartphone and get a smart watch and a tablet

10:43on us. That's all your essential gear for zero extra dollars. Ace your classes, track your fitness, and stream your favorite shows. Visit Verizon.com or your local store today. Being an eligible phone or purchase a new phone with device payment on post-paid service plan required, up to $6.49.99 watch and tablet device payment purchase with new line on $20 per month, tablet plan and $15 per month watch plan for 36 months required, less up to $650 per month credit applied over 36 months per device. Additional tax fees in terms of supply. If you're the type of person who wants data, not assumptions, pre-new Vose whole body scan gives you a deep understanding of your health. Screen for over 500 conditions, including many cancers, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. You've got blood panels to test over 80 bio markers. You've got information about your body you may never have had before. Book your scan at pre-newvo.com. That's P-R-E-N-U-V-O.com. Exactly. Yes. So she said, I have no pulse. She goes, that's a state by state thing. The foundation is trying to encourage these states to teach it because, yes, the next generation

11:44does need to know about 9.11. It's part of her history. It should absolutely be taught. Anything else that's part of our history? Or one, two, anything? Bit or more, whatever. All of it, yes. Yes. I don't expect you to have an answer for this because I don't know if anybody has an answer. But just after making this film, what is it about humanity that the tragedy happens? We're all together. We're on the same page. And just slowly we start growing and growing and growing apart. And then it takes something else that's tragic to bring us back together. What do you think it is about us as a human race that allows that to happen throughout history and we don't learn from the other instances? You're right. I don't really have an answer. That's a really tough question. Why? That's why. We should all be asking ourselves that because we shouldn't forget. We need to remember, we should be coming together as one. And it's the same thing with life. One of the stories that you saw in the film, this guy was talking about someone he was talking to, a first responder, someone he was talking to, who was the first responder. And that first responder said, I haven't paid attention to my son when I come home.

12:46He's always right there by the door wanting to play catch. And I've got my wife, I've got my job, I've got my mistress. And I didn't pay. On 9-11 he said, I don't know what I was thinking. Everything you start to remember, what's really important in life. And he realized my son's more important. So he dumped his girlfriend and he went home and he played with his boy from that day on. And those tough times do remind us what's really important. And I think when tragedy happens like 9-11, that's exactly what happened. We remember what's important. We each other, I want to be there for you, I want to help you. And we forget that over time. And that's what's said. I think we're too comfortable. You know? Very good point. Yeah. I mean, being comfortable can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I mean, we have lives that all of us appreciate. But sometimes you need to go into the depths of the dark stuff to really have gratitude. You know, when your partner Christopher Meek told me that Gary Seneis was going to be the voice over, I thought the perfect guy. Yeah. So perfect guy.

13:46He's been so immersed in all these 9-11 charities and has done so much around 9-11. I couldn't have thought of a better guy to be the voice over for your documentary. Yeah. We were still blessed that he said yes. Oh. I mean, I don't see how he said no to something like that. And he immediately said yes. And then getting to meet him in Nashville where we recorded the narration was phenomenal. And then I heard more of his story. 9-11 changed the direction of his life where he decided to give back even more using his celebrity to help others. That led to the Lieutenant Dan Band and then also the foundation. So that was another tragedy to triumph story. The tragedy of 9-11 led to what he does today in this foundation that helps so many people all over this country. So do you get asked or you get pitched this project? You end up doing it. You end up immersing yourself completely into all of it. The Pentagon, Shang's Phil, you know, Drank Ground Zero here, you're with the Chief of Staff of the White House. What did you learn about all of it?

14:49Well, so many stories I hadn't heard, which is what's great about this film. People who were in New York tell me they watched the film and they're like, I had no idea many of most of the stories. And I was expecting it to be depressed. Instead it was inspirational. So I learned a lot of stories. But more importantly, I learned as we were just talking about the best of humanity, it's just amazing to me what took place that day and how people, strangers were there for strangers. And the American flag was flown everywhere, not only all over this country, every burrow in New York was flying the American flag, which the first responders told me it was unusual. It was, you know, we all came together. It was why it didn't matter what your race was, it didn't matter what your politics were, we were there for each other. No, the other one was the maritime rescue. Yeah. I knew that boats got involved, but I had no idea how many people that they had to move off of lower Manhattan and how many people just started to show up. And I just, it was an amazing part of the story that I didn't realize that the significance of it. Yeah, I got to interview Lieutenant Michael Day, who was a Lieutenant on 9-11. Now he's a rear admiral who just retired.

15:49And he kind of oversaw the rescue. But yeah, over half a million people, that's crazy. And like nine hours that were rescued from the seventh tip of Manhattan who had nowhere else to go. There's just water surrounding that island. Couldn't go north, water to the south. These boats came in from every direction, largest mall and rescued all those people in bottom of New Jersey. Powerful documentary, the heroism and resiliency of 9-11, Michael Geier is the filmmaker. You can check it out, Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube. We appreciate you being in here and really, really highly recommend this right around the 25th remembrance of 9-11, 2001. I do have to ask you this off topic in learning about you before you came in. You tap danced with Gregory Hines. Isn't that crazy? So people don't know our younger listeners. Gregory Hines is one of the great dancers of all time. Yeah. And you got a chance to tap dance with this man. Isn't that crazy? I still pinch myself. Yeah, I get to work with him for five days and tap dance with him in Los Angeles.

16:50So yeah, it was part of my entertainment career that I did for over 20 years. Wow. Tap dance. I'm tap dance. Wow. I'm a dancer, actor. I've done Broadway musicals all over the country, starring in them. And that was my background in the past. That is that. So good job and research. Very, very cool. Michael, thanks for being here. We really do appreciate it. Thank you for having me. Thanks Mike and good luck. Good luck with the show. Hey, all right. It's almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat. And of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more. I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile.

17:54So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclos Beat Distant Intelligence, data of national speed school results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Heading back to campus, timed web grades your entire tech setup. Switch to Verizon, buy or bring a qualifying smartphone and get a smart watch and a tablet on us. All your essential gear for zero extra dollars. Ace your classes, track your fitness and stream your favorite shows. Visit Verizon.com or your local store today. Bring an eligible phone to purchase a new phone with device payment on post-paid service plan required. Up to $6.49.99 watch and tablet device payment purchase with new mine on $20 per month tab of plan and $50 per month watch plan for 36 months required. Less up to $650 per month credit applied over 36 months per device. Additional taxes fees in terms of play. What you're listening to presumably doesn't suck. So neither should your sound system. Sonos lets you listen seamlessly from room to room. In great sound, X really tuned, astonishingly clear.

18:54It's not magic, but it's not not magic.