We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ben Hollis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ben below.

Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

I had no idea, growing up, that “spirituality” had anything to do with wanting a life in performing and creating. Nor did I foresee the need to examine my inner works to free myself from desires and fantasies about success that, if fully pursued or realized, probably would have killed me. When I first saw film of The Beatles being chased through the streets of London by hordes of screaming teenage girls, I knew, “That’s what I want. That’s what I CRAVE!”

Well, to follow adoration at all costs would not have turned out well. It’s kind of cool that the TV show that I co-created and was the first host of (Wild Chicago on WTTW-Chicago) was not a showcase for me as much as it was for the offbeat, eccentric guests on the show. I deeply appreciate the words of my fellow co-creator, John Davies, who told me to relax and not try to be “the star of Wild Chicago. The stars of Wild Chicago are the people you interview. They are Wild Chicago, much more so than you are.” This was great advice. It let me focus on asking better questions, and letting the process of being a TV host unfold into what it became.

Letting go of trying to push outcomes, letting go of self-serving desires like “look at me, look at me” adoration — these are lifelong spiritual endeavors. I’m still in the trenches, so to speak.

Ben, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m best known and recognized for my role as the original host and co-creator of the pioneering TV show on Chicago PBS station, WTTW, called “Wild Chicago.” This show was a frenetic travelog around the city and suburbs, dedicated to bringing the viewer a glimpse of people, places and things not usually put on TV. We were “anti establishment.” I wore a pith helmet and a safari suit (khaki shorts) — my visual hook. It immediately let the viewer know this was going to be fun, funny, maybe even crazy. And it was going to be an adventure into the urban jungle, away from the popular places you’d find in the guide books. We were a bit “gonzo.” I got into this through the back door. Meaning, I was actually in LA trying to get a job in advertising as a copywriter. I’d recently quit “show biz” to get married to a rather conservative woman, and even though she did not pressure me, I thought it would be a good idea to get out of the life of bartending and playing nightclubs as a funny singer/songwriter/comedian, and find consistent employment using my talents for writing. So I was successful in landing a job at a couple of agencies being a copywriter, then later, as the creative director of a corporate video production company.

But I got laid off. The company, a start up, could not get profitable fast enough and the funder pulled the plug. Thus, I figured, I’ll go to LA, get a job in advertising and then gravitate over to entertainment eventually.

I never got offered a job. Plenty of enthusiastic feedback though.  Frequently, the people who interviewed me were impressed with this video clip I showed of a thing I created (and got to act in) called “Rent-a-Friend.” It was a video of me talking to the camera, being your best friend, asking you questions, “listening” to your answer, sharing photos, telling stories, all in one take, for 42 uninterrupted minutes.

One day, at a job interview in LA, I thought of showing “Rent-a-Friend” to an old high school buddy who worked at a major film studio. Maybe he could give me some encouragement. I was also inspired by a recent exchange with an advertising creative who interviewed me and said, “Ben, why in the world would you want to be in advertising? You’re so great in this video you’ve shown me. You ought to have your own TV show!”

Well, I showed “Rent-a-Friend” to my pal Bill Horberg at Paramount, and he loved it. He didn’t offer me a film deal, but he did suggest I talk to this guy in Chicago who had experience making short films and getting them to run on SNL. (This was in 1987.) So when I came home to Chicago for some rest and relaxation, I contacted the guy, John Davies at WTTW, and showed him “Rent-a-Friend.” He was impressed. And he offered me the opportunity to collaborate with him in creating a new show on WTTW, and…”you could be the host.” Wow! About 18 months later, “Wild Chicago” debuted and the show became a hit.

The lesson is that you never know what’s going to lead to something great. Nothing is wasted. I actually had had a dream of having my own TV show. But I thought I’d shelved it. I’d given up on that dream. Apparently the dream had not given up on me! And the Universe found a way for it to unfold.

Yes, I’m proud of the awards I received for producing “Wild Chicago.” But the award I’m most proud of is The Studs Terkel Media Award given to media people (mostly journalists) who cover stories and people not usually covered in the mainstream media. I was so grateful and humbled to be recognized for my gift of connecting with marginalized, off-the-beaten-track people who are doing fascinating things, things they love doing, things they are passionate about. The Studs Terkel Award people were impressed by the story I did on “The Bud Billikin Parade” in Chicago, which is an annual event on the city’s South Side and pretty much 100 per cent African American — largely unknown to the rest of the city.

As I ponder my work in TV, I am so grateful to have had a chance to make a living (modest living) helping people tell their stories, showing them at work in junkyards, giving tours “under bridges,” sitting on sticks of dynamite and more. I let viewers see the heart and humanity of these “oddballs” — and in so doing, gave viewers the experience of feeling connected with these folks, finding the commonality they share, realizing how we really are connected.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A mission has emerged for me, over time. It didn’t come out of my writing lists or reading self-help books, though I’m sure everything I did played a part in the recognition of a “through-line” in my work. The mission has to do with how I followed my curiosity. I wanted to know about other people and what they do and why they do it. I became an excellent question asker.

I’ve been driven (subtly) by listening to others tell their stories. And by listening, I provide validation. Everybody wants and needs validation. Everybody wants to be listened to. With an open heart and an open mind.

I’ve come to believe that there is One Consciousness and “we” are all It. What if we treated everyone we met as if they were made of exactly the same stuff we are? I try to bring that Truth to all that I do. I don’t succeed all that much. Ask my wife.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m so grateful to be largely free of “going after” the power, the prestige, the money that seems to drive our culture. I couldn’t have said that 10 or 20 years ago. But today I can actually, honestly say, there’s no amount of money you could give me in exchange for the peace of mind I enjoy today (however imperfectly.) To get to create honestly, from the heart, is to live in integrity. It’s to be real, authentic, as I truly am. You and I, we are as wondrous and beautiful as a flower or a waterfall or our beloved dog or cat. Why would we not be? Are we not also part of the Whole Bloomin’ Thing? Or am I actually the one exception in all The Universe? Am I the one, solitary cosmic mistake or “fly in the ointment” of All Creation? I don’t think so. I get to be one of many. One of many ripples or waves, in the limitless ocean that has no shores, no bottom, limitless. Not bad, eh?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://benhollis.substack.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Zgdt1SH-veb3DMjuF3_zA
• Other: https://gowildwithben.wixsite.com/wiltby