Daily Inspiration: Meet Bernie Golias

Image Credit
Bernie Golias

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernie Golias. 

Hi Bernie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From an early age, I was aware and became interested in the performing arts. Playing guitar, piano, and being in bands during my teen years gave me the opportunity to engage in a path of creativity. However, I was mostly involved in different types of creative endeavors during my career, that being manufacturing, and sales-related industries. Even though those jobs were not where my heart was, they were excellent experiences developing the skills working with others in a cultural and diverse environment. 

Also, from an early age, I had an interest in the old car hobby, as I often restored and collected cars. My first car was a 1931 Ford Model A 2-Door Sedan. I tinkered on that car all through high school. Later, my interest turned towards the mid-1950s Pontiacs. Owning a 1956 convertible and several 57 and 58 Pontiacs. Reading automotive history led the way to writing on the subject coauthoring and self-publishing a book in (1997) titled “Famous but Forgotten: The Story of Alexander Winton, Automotive Pioneer, and Industrialist.” I then consulted for and appeared in the documentary Race of the Century produced by The Ford Motor Company and Greenfield Village (2001), which celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the race between Henry Ford and Clevelander, Alexander Winton. 

Research led me to contribute to other works such as Ken Burns’ PBS documentary Horatio’s Drive (2003), about the first automobile (a 1903 Winton) to have successfully made it across the United States. I was also honored as the keynote speaker for the Society of Automotive Historians during their international conference held April 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio, where I presented and produced a historical documentary titled “Cleveland: The Original Motor City.” Giving talks on Cleveland automotive history led the way to making an appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning show with host Mo Rocca. As I became more familiar with other mediums to branch into, I then created my own radio show “The Auto Era” which aired on WOBC 91.5 FM, Oberlin, Ohio (2015/16). 

Since (2016) I have been developing a YouTube TV series called “Car Idiots Forever” based on the relationships, obsessive behaviors, and the joy that comes with collecting automobiles. In this informative and intensely comical show about relationships and cars, I host, write, and play a variety of characters i.e., Dr. Redline, and interview some of the most passionate car enthusiasts along with their endearing counterparts. More on “Car Idiots Forever” can be found at caridiotsforever.com. 

Currently, I’m contributing automotive-related educational clips on the weekly show Cruise-In, seen regionally on Bally Sports Great Lakes, and nationally on REV’N and Fun Roads TV. My passion for producing, writing, directing, and acting awarded me Best Actor at the Indie X Film Fest/Los Angeles, and Night of Comedy Shorts Film Fest (2021). Three short films: “Changing Times”, “Deadline” and “Panic in Valley City” have been selected in 46 film festivals in the US and abroad achieving 11 nominations, and 16 awards. I’m an active member of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the National Academy of Television Arts and Science, a retired Board member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, and belong to many automotive-related clubs. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been obstacles along the way. Time and money are the most common. However, building a team with diverse talents that can work synergistically to accomplish the goal is paramount in overcoming just about any obstacle. Being self-motivated and focused has helped me overcome roadblocks too. It has always given me more fuel to ignite the passion I have to get things done. See it in your mind and see it through to manifestation. Don’t give up or in. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see a lot changes in the film industry. One has been in process for some time that is, movie theaters continue to shrink and are being replaced by video streaming. However, the superhero and horror flicks will most likely remain top box office draw for a while. The quality of video content supplied by the streamers will give way to lower maintenance, and less expensive costs, as higher-bandwidth, and decentralized types of peer-to-peer video delivery, enabled by blockchain technology, gets into full swing. We’re witnessing the next generation of the Web. It’s a very exciting but challenging time. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caridiotsforever.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caridiotsforever/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caridiotsforever
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/car_idiots
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJDPg058TEqzKk8T5mUHdg 

Image Credits
Casey Rearick
Casey Rearick
Bernie Golias
Antonio Harper

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