Being a Woman... for Men

"Blissfully retired" English teacher Lou Rocket comes on the podcast to share her gripping story of how her ex-husband tried to kill her and how she survived. Showing the true strength of a great parent, she was back to work one month after the incident, and went on to continue her career as one of the most respected teachers in Fall River, Massachusetts. She tells us of her early career, how she was forced to resign at 7 months pregnant, and how she worked her way back in to teaching when her intuition told her she would need to be independent from her then husband at sometime in the future.

Producer/Director Pamela B. Green comes on the podcast to talk about her upcoming documentary, "Be Real" that covers the life and epic career of Alice Guy-Blaché, the first female director in narrative film. We talk about Pam's long career designing and producing titles for movies we all know and love and how in her research she discovered the mystery of how a woman like Alice Guy could make one thousand movies and be forgotten by the world. Pamela's a great lover of history and her passion for Alice comes through as she gives us a few teasers of the upcoming documentary.

In a great and informative episode, award-winning Writer/Director Mary-Lyn Chambers comes on the podcast. We discuss her time growing up below the equator, why she likes to tell true-life based stories in her films, and how having rational conversations instead of screaming matches can help us work together to end sexism.

Writer, director and performer, Traci Weintraub comes on the podcast to talk about how being funnier than your date can cause issues with men, what it's like to not be believed by doctors when you're sick and how she's living with Lyme disease. Traci shares her stories and recent journey to discovering her illness and how she's dealing with it with a supportive family and some outstanding friends.

Donna Christie comes on the podcast to talk about the work she's done for decades, working with victims of sexual assault in the Niagara region. What started as a small three person staff has grown over the years into a service that covers the entire Niagara area, including the always busy Niagara Falls. Her work with education programs works to educate all generations how to stop events from happening and report them when they do. It's a great conversation that gives a snapshot of the extent of assaults on women in this world.

On this week's episode of Being A Woman... For Men we talk with Alicia Bartley, a lawyer who works in property law, working with developers, community groups and government agencies. Amazingly smart, driven and a textbook example of a great work/life balance, Alicia shares her story of how she found her way into law, how she chose a smaller firm over a large, competitive one, and how she participates in endurance sports as a way of refueling for work and life. It's a great interview with someone with a great sense of what's important in life who discovered what she wanted and wasn't afraid of the societal pressures that would try to tell her otherwise.

Celebrity assistant turned award-winning writer/director Marcy Woolard comes on the podcast to talk about growing up as a dancer, being the holder of celebrity secrets, and how hard it is to be treated like a peer and not just a piece of ass. It's a frank and candid conversation with a warm and wonderful human being who opens up about the adversity she's experienced and the new freedom she's found in writing and directing her own material.

Kelly Estrella, the Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing for Allied Integrated Marketing, joins the podcast to talk about self-esteem issues that lead her to major in something other than her dream of being in musical theater, what it's like to experience "fat shaming," and how she worked hard to find a path out of her hometown so she could explore the world.

Actor, stunt performer, and all around creative juggernaut Dre Swain comes on the podcast to talk about her early life with a role model mom, how going blonde, Paleo and bodybuilding got her award-winning roles, and how being the nude subject of photographers fits into feminism. Dre brings her unbound energy, comedic spirit and  inspiring confidence to a great hour filled with experiences, laughs and incite into being a woman in this world.

Music Director and On Air Talent Sarah Christie comes on the podcast to tell us about her not so friendly adolescent experiences with boys, the wonderful women who guided her in her career choice and ascent up the ladder in radio and how listening to female artists can help men digest what women go through in life. Filled with amusing anecdotes and emotionally charge stories, Sarah shares her experiences throughout her life and in her jobs in radio.

Film and TV editor Ellen Fine talks about her early life and how she found her way without her mom around to guide her, how she decided to be a stay at home mom and raise her son, and how the creativity of her youth came back many years later to manifest in a career as a film editor. We talk about working with positive male bosses, how to work with your spouse, and how she's found a way to stand out in a male dominated part of the entertainment industry. It's a great conversation that speaks to the resilience of children, how creating your own path can be rewarding and how finding an ally who recognizes your talent can make a job much more rewarding.

Award-winning Actor Nancy Sorel aka "that woman from that show" schools me on how simple language changes can help support the women in your life, shares stories of not being believed when she reported men for kidnapping and assault, and how women need to not fear speaking up, but keep shouting until they're heard. It's a great conversation with a great actor and feminist who makes it her life's work to mentor others.

Director/Writer/Producer and activist Miranda Sajdak joins the podcast to talk about what it's like to be a female director breaking into show business, what it was like growing up in a place that was open to her coming out and what we can all do each day to make our political desires known to our representatives. It's a fun and frank conversation from one of the nicest and outspoken people you'll ever meet.

Emmy Award winning journalist Naibe Reynoso joins the podcast to discuss growing up with strict Latino parents, dealing with abusive bosses and their underlings and how teaching Barbara Walters how to do it doggie style was one of the best moments of her career. As a mom, wife, and hard-working journalist, her life has been full of adventure, challenges and victories. She shares her own stories of overcoming adversity to become an award-winning journalist and the lead anchor for the LA County channel.

Network Exec turned writer and kitten foster mom, Nikki Lando, joins the podcast to talk about how she lost sight of who she was and what she wanted in relationships and life thanks to pressures from the people in her life. The pressure to get married and have kids made her start feeling like something was wrong with her for enjoying being single. She talks about why she likes her life now, how she got lost and how she found her way back thanks to the two women authors of "The Confidence Code."

Author Sarah Skilton comes on the podcast to talk about the differences in giving voice to female versus her male lead characters, why she took up studying Tae Kwon Do, and what inspires her to write. She fills us in about life as a mom, being married to a magician and gives us a preview of her soon to be released book, "Club Deception" which follows three female leads where after a magician rivalry and a stolen routine erupt into murder, the women must uncover the truth and set things right for the men they love.

Cancer survivor and gifted vocalist Kirsten Rea comes on the podcast to talk about her recent battle with breast cancer, how she's dealing life now that the trauma of discovery, battle and treatment are over. Kirsten's an amazingly strong and upbeat person bleeds through to her music and ability to share deep experiences while laughing at the sometimes absurdity of what cancer did to her body and her relationships.

Affectionately named "The Meanest Woman Alive" by her clients, litigator turned author and motivational speaker, Linda Smith joins the podcast to talk about her time as a litigator and what she's up to now. She shares stories on how she used her brain, attitude and womanly wiles to help clients take her seriously so she could defend them all the way to the supreme court, how she dealt with sexual harassment in the workplace from peers and clients, how women can fight their way to the top of their field, and talks about the shocking event that made her want to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves; a Nazi-sympathizing nun.

French visitor and ex-publishing world dreamer Julie Gallais comes on the podcast to talk about her time in Miami, how much effort toward "looking good" is expected of women in America, how dating in France is about substance over presentation and how she came to the conclusion that the publishing world full of women in France was not what she had always dreamed of.

Kieren Britton, founder of the Lady Alliance, a group and blog that fosters relationships between women adventurers, comes on the podcast to talk about her adventurous roots and why memories are more important than money. Wise beyond her years, Kieren shares her tales and inspirations; what lead her to ride her bike all the way across Canada for a men's disease, why she took a solo trip in a converted bus around North America, and the differences between adventuring with men and women.

The Flash and now NCIS New Orleans, Brooke Roberts Eikmeier joins the show for a talk about her adventurous life. We talk about her time growing up in Los Angeles, moving to France when she was seventeen, why she joined the military, inappropriate office talk, misogynistic showrunners, being a woman accused of sexual harassment, and how everything she did in her life made her into the successful writer she is today.

Artist Sarah Folkman joins the podcast to talk about her life growing up as "that family" in the Los Angeles suburbs, how she discovered her skill for expressing moving emotions through her painting and why you should never date someone in your band. Sarah shares about her early life, her father and brother's suicides, and how she became an evolved being who bases relationships on her connection with the person regardless of their gender.

Featured on Amy Poehlers SmartGirls, comic, writer and now fisherman Anna Cranage Conathan tells us about her experience as a female comic in Hollywood, what made her move into writing and what it was that made her want to try her hand at being a sternman on a lobster boat. A place that strangely, is much more open to women than a comedy club.

Award-winning costume designer Zohra Shahalimi joins the podcast to talk about her family's escape from Afghanistan as the Taliban took power, what it was like adjusting to a new culture and language in Montreal and how no challenge seems to great after escaping a war-torn country. Zohra's story is incredible and her achievements are fantastic. Her passion for everything she does makes her one incredible human being, always looking to take on a new challenge. She's a true believer in working hard to show everyone you deserve to be at the top.

Pop Culture Maven and Social Media Master Erika Brooks Adickman joins the podcast to talk about her time growing up in south Florida with protective parents, how being a woman affects where she parks her car, and how giving up social media for 30 days changed her life and how now she can change yours. The conversation is fun and frenetic and has more pop culture references than a Dennis Miller stand up special. Erika's a great voice and brings her comedic wit to a weekly podcast that she hosts with Josh Heller, Two Jews Talking.

I sat down with actor/director Jennette McCurdy to talk about what it's like to be a woman under the microscope. When we weren't laughing about Squatty Potty, she shared what it was like growing up with a bunch of boys, how she dealt with body image issues while on a hit TV show, and talked about the experiences she's had with men since becoming an adult in a very appearance-obsessed business. She also shares with us what feminism means to her and a few thoughts on how men can learn about the female experience and how they can be allies.

Actor/writer/producer Hannah Cheesman joins the podcast to talk about the differences and similarities in how women are treated as talent versus behind the camera, how she feels age is affecting her on camera time and how she teamed up with some amazing people to create and producer the award-winning web series "Whatever, Linda."

Actor/Writer/Director Bonnie Anderson comes on the podcast to talk about her start in the male-dominated field of lighting design, how she dealt with inappropriate advances during her acting days and what she runs into as a female director in a traditionally male position. We also discuss her upcoming docu-series about breasts and how women are often defined by those around them by their breast size.

Chief Of Staff to Massachusetts State Auditor Susan M. Bump, Seth Andrea McCoy joins the podcast for a talk about why she got into politics, why she left it for a stint in Los Angeles and her thoughts on what it takes for women to get more involved in politics. A truly selfless person, she tells us about her journey to help people, how she continues to find a way to make an impact and how planning a wedding is never easy no matter how organized you are.

Actress Stephanie Belding comes on the show to talk about her career on the big and small screen, her secret to diffusing unwelcome advances from men and how being around her dad's bodybuilding gym introduced her to women who lift and a life of fitness that has spanned too many sports to list.

In honor of the twentieth anniversary of the release of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, I talk with writer/producer Robin Schiff in one of my earliest interviews. She shares about her early life, how she found The Groundlings and how it changed her life for the better. A great voice for women in the industry, Robin shares her thoughts on the status quo, what she thinks needs to change and some thoughts on how to change it.

This week I talk with more people about their experiences at the different women's marches around the U.S. My old friend, and first dude on the podcast, Billy Sullivan fills us in on Chicago while Mother and daughter, Susan and Olivia Flynn, give us the breakdown on Boston's march and what it meant to do something so powerful together. 

Comedian, actor, writer and super mom, Teresa Pavlinek, joins the podcast to discuss her life in comedy and starting out as a Second City performer, how not looking like your parents shapes your self image, and how discovering the perfect partner for her wasn't about sexual preference, but about falling in love with the right personality. 

Author, voice over artist, mom, stand up, co-host of the Monday edition of Fitness Confidential with Vinnie Tortorich and the first woman to voice an entire night on a network, Anna Vocino brings her openness, warmth and comedic voice to the Being A Woman... For Men podcast and talks about her life crunching numbers for the DNC, breaking into show business and how she fought to find what was causing her so many health issues. The result, her best selling cookbook "Eat Happy; Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb Recipes for a Joyful Life."

On a special edition of the podcast, we have two great guests. First up is selections from my conversation with Miriam Trogdon, an extremely talented writer who pushes to create true women characters in rooms to end stereotypes on TV. Second is a conversation with activist Sharon Counts  who tells us her amazing tale of going to Washington D.C. for the Women's March. Next week we'll be back with an all new episode with the first Female Voice Actor to voice an entire night on a network, Anna Vocino! 

Actor and author Elda Lopez talks with me about her book The (In)Fidelity Factor: Points to Ponder Before You Cheat. She shares her own personal experiences on both sides of the equation, being cheated on and being the other woman, and how her book aims to bring awareness to the raw data that summarizes what it will cost you on an emotional, legal and financial level if you cheat.

Writer and Consulting Producer on ABC's "The Catch," Rina Mimoun talks with me about her writing career, what she tries to bring to a show to improve female characters and how she once hid her pregnancy in fear it could cost her her job. With her background in theatre and women's studies, our conversation was fun and informative with lots of lessons learned and advice to share. 

Actor Tova Epp sits down to talk about how a chaotic adolescence affects dating choices, differences between working for men and women, and how she's come to feel comfortable in her own skin despite pressures in the acting world. 

Jen Bush, one of the stars of Bravo's "There Goes The Motherhood," sits down to talk about being driven, getting divorced and the difficulties of dating as a forty year old woman. 

Stand up comedian Melissa Shoshahi fills us in on being a woman in comedy, how she fights for equal pay, how she brings her life experience as an Iranian American into her act and how she deals with the praise and hate that come her way. 

Second City alumni and master improv trainer, Kate Ashby, joins the Being A Woman For Men Podcast to talk with us about her very positive experience growing up in a house of boys, how she discovered improv and its benefits in life and how she came to be known as one of the best teachers in the biz for aspiring actors, comedians and even patients at the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health. 

Executive Producer of "The Real O'Neals," Stacy Traub, talks about her initial exposure to sexism in the work place, her inspiration and education from a female show runner, and how she's managed to make her home and work a nourishing, positive place for her, her family and her very diverse coworkers. 

Single mom, sales rep, casting agent, TV Executive... these and many others are titles Joan Lambur has had during her amazing life and career. Her never quit style and always finding a way to rise from the ashes helped her break through the glass ceiling and kick down the doors of the Old Boys Club. Her stories make for an inspiring episode filled with laughs and thoughtful messages we can all enjoy. 

CEO and co-founder of MyLabBox.com, Ursula Hessenflow, talks about life in the start up world, her drive for innovation to help others, and how she deals with managing sexism and women's issues in the workplace as a female boss. 

Author Audrey Shulman sits down to talk about her first experiences in Hollywood on a mostly female staff, the insanity of working at the American Girl Doll store, and how she came up with the idea of bringing cakes into bars to find a boyfriend and how it turned into a book deal.  

In this fascinating and jovial interview, the "Hipsterhood" web series creator talks to us about her Freeform pilot "Brown Girls," having parents in an arranged marriage, and what she's found to be more of a hurdle, race or gender." 

Cheryl Meyer – Actress turned writer/producer Cheryl Meyer has experienced the world of inappropriate solicitations on set and talks to us about how that made her feel and what she did to get past it and keep pushing toward her goal of being a respected actor/writer/producer. Her plea of “We’re just like you.” rings loud and clear in a fun and fascinating conversation about how on and off camera women are treated in and out of the business.

Amy Reynolds – Amy Reynolds works in post-production at Nickelodeon Animation during the daylight hours and runs pretty much every spare minute she has, often while dark. She hits half marathons almost weekly and logs more miles than most people’s cars. She’s a force of stamina to be reckoned with. When I saw her Facebook post about “running while female” and all the things women go through when running alone, I knew I had to interview her.

Kate Lynch – Actress, Director and Teacher Kate Lynch is best known for her role as Roxanne in Meatballs with Bill Murray and she has quite the story to tell about how she got the part. With her comedic whit she shares experiences from her long career and great advice on how men can learn more about what it’s like Being A Woman For Men and for women who want to communicate to men what they go through just because they’re a woman.