Shawn Stockman's On That Note

Wilmer Valderrama joins Shawn Stockman to talk That ’70s Show, the mystery of where Fez is actually from, learning English through acting, and his journey from Venezuela to Hollywood. He also opens up about breaking out of Fez typecasting, building a decade-long run on NCIS, and the music and culture that shaped him.

Wilmer Valderrama sits down with Shawn Stockman for a funny, thoughtful, and inspiring episode of On That Note.

Wilmer looks back on growing up in Venezuela, where salsa and merengue filled the house every morning, and shares how moving back to the United States as a teenager without knowing English became one of the most challenging turning points of his life. He explains how performing arts, theater, and acting helped him learn the language, build confidence, and find a way forward.

The conversation dives deep into That ’70s Show, from Wilmer’s emotional audition story to the mystery of where Fez is actually from. Wilmer reveals why the show never officially defined Fez’s country, the joke endings he imagined for the character, and how the role changed his life after his dad borrowed gas money to get him to the final audition.

Wilmer also talks about the challenge of breaking out of Fez typecasting, the intentional indie roles that helped reshape how Hollywood saw him, and how that work eventually led to his long run on NCIS. He reflects on Latino representation, Desi Arnaz, Antonio Banderas, Pedro Pascal, Encanto, My Cultura Podcast Network, Essential Voices, and why film, television, music, and podcasting can all be vessels for healing and connection.

A powerful conversation about identity, culture, comedy, music, family, and the long road from being a foreign exchange student on TV to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Latino actors.
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D-Nice reflects on creating classics with KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions, from “Self Destruction” and “My Philosophy” to the journey that led him from the Bronx to Club Quarantine.

In this episode, Shawn Stockman sits down with D-Nice for a wide-ranging conversation about hip-hop history, soul music, Scott La Rock, KRS-One’s impact, the records fans may not know he produced, and how Club Quarantine became a global community during one of the most isolating moments in modern life. D-Nice also opens up about DJing for President Obama, performing at the Oscars, rediscovering his early music legacy, and why kindness, connection, and service still drive everything he does.
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Keri Hilson opens up about the real meaning behind “Pretty Girl Rock,” Kanye West’s last-minute verse on “Knock You Down,” and the 2000s R&B run that made her one of the era’s most important voices.

In Part 2 of her conversation with Shawn Stockman, Keri goes deeper into the hit records and behind-the-scenes stories fans have been waiting for — working with Britney Spears during the Blackout era, defending Omarion’s voice, shaping songs as both an artist and songwriter, and reflecting on what it took to step away from music and eventually find her way back. It’s a conversation about legacy, pressure, confidence, reinvention, and the real stories behind the songs.
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Estelle sits down with Shawn Stockman for a powerful conversation on “American Boy,” meeting Kanye West, manifesting John Legend, and carrying West London soul onto a global stage.

In this episode of On That Note, Estelle opens up about the creative instincts, industry lessons, and personal belief system that shaped her career. She reflects on selling thousands of CDs herself, building her own label, navigating labels that didn’t understand her, the story behind “American Boy,” her connection with John Legend, and the deeper legacy of representing Black UK music around the world.
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The-Dream is the hitmaker behind era-defining records like Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” but this conversation goes far beyond the credits. He joins Shawn Stockman to talk about what makes a song timeless, why music has to connect with real people, and how the greatest records carry pieces of life inside them.

In this episode, The-Dream opens up about songwriting, fame, love, family, Atlanta roots, industry lessons, and the philosophy behind giving the right song to the right artist. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and deeply honest look at the mind of one of music’s most legendary pens.
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