In year four of sharing a dressing room at Broadway’s Jersey Boys, Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush found themselves in uncharted territory, juggling motherhood and eight shows a week. Knowing they weren’t alone in the struggle, they founded a support group for mothers in the business of show, called Br…
The Mamas Talkin' Loud podcast is an inspiring and heartfelt podcast that focuses on the challenges and triumphs of being a parent, particularly in the theater industry. Hosted by Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush, both talented Broadway performers and mothers themselves, this podcast offers a unique perspective on parenting and the entertainment industry. With a diverse range of guests, the podcast covers topics such as breast cancer, surrogacy, career balancing, and more.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the honesty and vulnerability of both the hosts and their guests. They openly share their personal experiences, struggles, and successes in a way that is relatable and inspiring. The stories shared are not sugar-coated or idealized; they are real and raw, which creates a sense of authenticity that is refreshing. This podcast provides a space where parents can feel heard and understood while also gaining valuable insights and advice from others who have gone through similar experiences.
Another great aspect of this podcast is its inclusivity. While it may be called "Mamas Talkin' Loud," it is not limited to just mothers or women. It welcomes all individuals who want to hear stories about parenting in all its forms. Whether you're a parent, aspiring parent, or simply interested in hearing about the challenges faced by parents in the entertainment industry, this podcast offers something for everyone.
Despite its many strengths, one minor drawback of this podcast is that it may not appeal to those who are not interested in parenting or theater-related topics. While there are universal themes discussed that can resonate with anyone, the primary focus remains on parenthood within the context of show business. However, for those who are interested in these subjects or looking for a unique perspective on parenting, this should not be seen as a major issue.
In conclusion, The Mamas Talkin' Loud podcast is an exceptional resource for parents working in the theater industry or anyone interested in hearing honest conversations about parenthood. With its authentic and relatable content, this podcast offers a space for parents to feel seen and supported. Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush have created a platform that celebrates the joys and challenges of being a parent while pursuing a career in the arts. It is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, encouragement, and a glimpse into the lives of these remarkable individuals.
We're back!! (kind of)... This special bonus episode is coming to you live from the red carpet at the opening night of Broadway's "How to Dance in Ohio". "How to Dance in Ohio" is a heartwarming musical based on a true story. It follows a group of young adults on the autism spectrum who attend a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio. As they prepare for a spring formal dance, a major rite of passage for many teenagers, they navigate their anxieties, hopes, and dreams about love, independence, and fitting in. Through humor, music, and genuine connection, the characters overcome their challenges and discover the courage to step outside their comfort zones. The show is praised for its uplifting message, its celebration of neurodiversity, and its talented cast, which features seven autistic actors. So, it's not just about learning to dance, but about embracing individuality, facing fears, and finding your place in the world. This episode features Paula Abdul, Conor Tague, Desmond Luis Edward, Amelia Fei, Imani Russell, Ashley Wool, Alex Brightman, Jessica Vosk, Andy Karl, Orfeh, Ingrid Michaelson and Will Chase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The last time we spoke to Elizabeth Stanley she was deep in the world of new motherhood, pumping in the bathroom at the Tony Awards and preparing to return to her Tony Nominated starring role in Jagged Little Pill. Today she joins us to discuss what it was like to job share on Broadway, the emotional whiplash that omicron brought and how she is learning to balance her career and motherhood moving forward. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In celebration of International Women's History Month, co-host Jessica Rush sat down in studio with her co-stars & fellow 'mamas' of TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL on Broadway. Tony Award nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor, NaTasha Yvette Williams and Katie Webber graciously joined her on a two show day to share how their own motherhood journey's and relationships with the maternal figures in their lives informs the work they do on stage 8 times a week, bringing the story of this iconic, powerful warrior, Tina Turner, to life. *clips and footage from in the studio can be seen on the @tinabroadway social media channels. For MTL merch! https://mamas-talkin-loud-podcast.myshopify.com Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kitt Shapiro is the daughter of icon, legend, feminist, activist and sex symbol Eartha Kitt and joins co-host Jessica Rush for a special ‘Santa Baby' holiday episode. After meeting while Jess was on tour with Kitt's mother Eartha, they reconnect here to discuss her best selling memoir Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter's Love Story in Black & White. Kitt shares the incredible bond she and her mother had, how important humanity and the betterment of it was to Eartha, several ‘Kittisms' to take away in your own life, and how her connection with her mother influenced her own motherhood journey. For MTL merch! https://mamas-talkin-loud-podcast.myshopify.com Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Faith Salie is an Emmy award winning journalist, radio host, podcaster, writer, and actress, proving time and again there is nothing she can't do. She joins Cara and Jess today amidst the run of her Off-Broadway one woman show Approval Junkie, based on her memoir of the same name, to share how it's never too late to to find your purpose and how important it is to model that pursuit for our children. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The last time we spoke with Elizabeth Stanley, she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby girl. Continuing our Returning Reborn series, this mama joins us with her sweet babe now in her arms. From the way becoming a mother changes you forever, to pumping in the bathroom of the Tony awards, she shares where she is in her motherhood journey and how she is feeling about her forthcoming return to her Tony Award nominated role in Broadway's Jagged Little Pill. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In an unexpected turn of events, co-host Jessica Rush takes the hot seat, sharing her journey back to Broadway post pandemic as part of our "Returning Reborn: The Rebirth of the Broadway Mom" series. Navigating a move out of lockdown, returning to her role in TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, and negotiating 8 shows a week, on top of the new #mompreneur life she created during Covid, this conversation is intimate, honest and unfiltered - talk therapy in the best way. Featuring special guest co-host Brooke Jacob. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Breaking her three year silence over her discrimination and eventual termination from her starring role in Romy and Michele: The Musical, Cortney Wolfson joins us following her bravely transparent social media post that went viral. She shares, in her own words, what it felt like to be fired for being pregnant, opening up a conversation that is desperately needed in our industry. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One of the very first guests on Mamas Talkin' Loud, Pearl Sun, rejoined Cara and Jess a month ago to talk about her unexpected return to Broadway. From resuming 8 shows a week after spending more time than she ever has with her son Max, to her anxiety about moving through the city as an Asian American, her emotions ran the gamut. However, she looked toward the reopening of Come From Away with more hope than hesitation, and most importantly compassion for herself and others. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About a month ago, Khori Petinaud joined us again as part of our 'Returning Reborn' series, sharing her ongoing journey of discovery as a new mom, and her overwhelming anticipation of returning to work in Moulin Rouge. When Broadway shuttered, she wasn't even pregnant and when she walked back on stage at the Al Hirschfeld theater, she had a 9 month old. She prepped for the reopening with classes and working out, but most importantly with grace and compassion for herself, as she knows she is not the same person that took a bow in March 2020. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seven years ago co-hosts Cara Cooper & Jessica Rush started a support group for mothers in the New York theater community, Broadway Baby Mamas, and about a month ago they invited them to join in a group “scream”. Like The NY Times did earlier this year, the Mamas wanted to provide a space where the women could just let go of everything they'd been holding onto. This episode is a raw and emotional glimpse into what working artist mothers have been grappling with these past 18 months and how they are moving forward one step, one breath at a time. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seven years ago co-hosts Cara Cooper & Jessica Rush started a support group for mothers in the New York theater community, Broadway Baby Mamas, and about a month ago they invited them to join in a group “scream”. Like The NY Times did earlier this year, the Mamas wanted to provide a space where the women could just let go of everything they'd been holding onto. This episode is a raw and emotional glimpse into what working artist mothers have been grappling with these past 18 months and how they are moving forward one step, one breath at a time. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When their next guest went into labor the day they were set to record, Cara and Jess decided instead to check in with each other and with you. Join them for a true “dressing room“ chat; from back to school and back to Broadway to the mom guilt that never seems to go away, the mamas are intent on giving themselves grace one step at a time. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kicking off our third season, as well as our special four-part miniseries Returning Reborn: The Rebirth of the Broadway Mom, Tony Nominee (Jagged Little Pill) Elizabeth Stanley joined us just weeks before giving birth to her baby girl to share with us her journey to having a #pandemicbaby. While motherhood was not always a path she saw in her future, she is mindfully navigating this new territory with a sense of purpose and curiosity, advocating for herself and her new life as a mother in ways to which we can all relate and aspire. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway dancer turned fitness guru, Amanda Kloots has endured unspeakable loss on a very public stage. Her husband's battle and eventual passing due to COVID-19 became a national tragedy through which people rallied and mourned the immense grief our world has faced through this pandemic. In addition to running a fitness empire, co-hosting "The Talk" and raising her adorable two year old as a single mom, she just released a memoir, along with her sister Anna Kloots, titled “Live Your Life”, her husband's original song that she made popular when people all over the world came together daily to sing it. It has since become an anthem of sorts, not only in how you face loss, but how we make the most of every moment we have. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Renee Elise Goldsberry earned a Tony Award for her performance as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, has an incredibly full television and film resume including the starring role in the powerful The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and she can currently be seen on the new series, Girls5Eva as Wickie Roy. This mama joins us today to share how prioritizing life and keeping the faith buoyed her on the emotional & very difficult journey to motherhood and her two beautiful children - proof that however your babies are meant to come to you, they will. *Trigger Warning: The following episode contains sensitive content and may be upsetting for some of our listeners, please listen with care. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Emily Loftiss is a former Radio City Rockette and Broadway performer turned television host, personal stylist and creator of “Everyday Glam”. She is building an empire of female empowerment and positivity while juggling motherhood and the three year infertility journey that got her there. Emily is the ultimate example of speaking you dreams into existence while finding joy and feeling fabulous along the way. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Continuing our Pride Month celebration, Broadway Stage Manager, Julia Jones', story is not to be missed. Together with her wife, they have journeyed through foster care, adoption, an endless array of special needs, and the reality that they are white women raising black children in an unjust society. Her story is a lesson in leading with love, always having your heart open for what life may bring, and truly meeting your children where they are every day. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kicking off Pride Month, The Broadway Husbands, Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna, share their ongoing journey toward becoming fathers. Five years into this process, they have come up against seemingly endless obstacles, and still don’t have a baby on the way, but they have never lost hope. Their story is one of honesty, perseverance and an abundance of love not only for their future child but for each other. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Becca Lee was coming off her biggest year yet, making her Broadway Debut, getting married, and getting pregnant, when Covid-19 changed the world. She is now navigating her role as mom in a new world and being super honest and open about the mental load of motherhood and her own personal journey with anxiety. Even though her social media presence has shifted a bit from Broadway to Babies, she continues to spread her sparkle on the daily. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A longstanding voice for the AAPI community, Erin Quill, joins us to share her experiences as a minority in our industry and beyond. Her blog, The Fairy Princess Diaries is a brutally honest take on social justice, the LGBTQ community, and its inherent connection to all things entertainment. She is a roaring advocate for representation of the AAPI community in show business and she’s funny as hell. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Everyone’s favorite drama teacher, (thank you, High School Musical, The Musical, The Series), Kate Reinders, joins us this week to share her rather unexpected motherhood journey, how she cares for her mental health and what it's like to be the 'mom' of East High School. As a young performer on Broadway, therapy was always an integral part of her life, and as she navigates her new identity as a mother it helps her face this next chapter with a healthy dose of humor and humble pie. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month, we have Carey Anderson, an actress, known for MAMMA MIA & AVENUE Q, turned psychotherapist. Knowing firsthand the intense anxiety and self doubt that are inherent parts of our industry, she created the #MindfulArtistSeries, giving people tangible tools to move through these emotions and help them break out of the ‘Trance of Unworthiness’. As we are enter a new phase of the pandemic, Carey acknowledges the unique trauma the artist population has experienced, shares her wisdom and helps us process the PTSD of the last year, acknowledging the grief within the hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Disney Darling and Drama Desk nominee Ashley Brown, joins us this week to share everything from playing the Mother Abbess until she was 8 months pregnant to struggling with postpartum depression, secondary infertility and the undeniable pressures that come with being a mother in show business. As a result of pandemic, and the space and time it has provided, she is looking to the future with a clearer sense of her priorities and forging ahead with hope and humor. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a time of great loss for our entire world, Tony Award winner Ruthie Ann Miles shares her continuous journey through grief - how she puts one foot in front of the other on a daily basis, with a healthy dose of Hope. A member of the AAPI community and herself a victim of the awful hate that is rampant these days, she shares that, while fearful when out in the world on her own, she is hopeful, as we move through this pandemic and our own social awakening, that we remember that we are WE, and that we continue to rise together to stand up and speak out. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive discussions of death and loss, please listen with care. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's been one year since Broadway went dark and life moved into lockdown, and co-hosts Cara and Jessica are checking in on this bonus #minisode. A lot has changed in some ways since they initially recorded for the first time remotely - kids are in school, homeschool, Jess and family have finally come back from La Jolla, and, most importantly she and Cara have kick ball changed and made their own #pandemicpivots. Hear from them how they've managed life within the confines and struggles of the weight and limitations of this time, their thank you and plea for continued support of theatre across the country as we start to re-open, and ultimately, how remembering to breathe and look toward the light helped the mamas push themselves outside their comfort zones to "thrive" as best they could in the era of Covid. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wrapping up our celebration of Women’s History Month, advocate and change maker extraordinaire, Rachel Spencer Hewitt, joins us this week. Through her own experiences as a mother, she immediately recognized how little caregiver support exists in our industry and she did something about it. She is the founder of PAAL - the Parent Artist Advocacy League, a community, a resource and a salvation to those of us navigating parenting in the arts and the institutions that hire us. With the recent release of the PAAL Handbook for Best Practices, she is effectively working toward making caregiver support the norm, not the exception. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Jessica Rush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From playing Alma Wheatley in the Netflix hit, The Queen’s Gambit to directing the Oscar nominated films A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Marielle Heller is paving the way for more women to be in positions of power everywhere. Knowing first hand how the punitive hours of film industry affect her family, she has fought for more sustainable schedules and supportive work environments for parents on the films she directs. As one of only a few women in her position, Mari knows how important her voice and her power are, and won’t stop talking about it, until there is nothing left to talk about. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Last week Cara and Jessica had the honor of moderating a panel for Women’s Day on Broadway a celebration of female identifying people, who are working in - or are fans of - the Broadway, Off-Broadway and professional theater industry. Each event Women of Broadway hosts is meant to offer an opportunity to share experiences, struggles, and victories with the goal of supporting each other to make our industry stronger. This year, for the first time, the plight of the working mother was brought to the forefront, highlighting how this pandemic has disproportionately affected those who are trying to manage not only a career and parenthood, but the social reckoning that our nation and industry is undergoing. Our conversation was one of truth, both in pain and hope. In case you missed the event, here is our panel with Laura Benanti, Tanya Birl, Julia Jordan, Vanessa Javier and Karen Olivo. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Cara Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The first ever Asian Tony Award Winner for Costume Designer, Linda Cho joins us to share her experiences as a woman of color and accomplishment in a male dominated industry. As our first guest who is a designer, she shares the ins and outs of costuming a show, how the decimation of the theater as an industry has a much farther reach than most imagine, and the ways in which she is moving the conversation forward when it comes to race and gender when she is at the helm. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oscar and Grammy Winner, currently featured on WandaVision, Kristen Anderson Lopez, shares what being a woman songwriter really means and the impact it can have. From the writing of Frozen, and how being a mother facing the “princess question” was essential to creating the story we all know and love, to the unconscious bias she faces daily as a female in a male dominated field, she is constantly reminded how important her voice is. Kristen divulges how needing to reimagine herself in the industry is how she found herself on the path she now travels, and the tools she and her husband use to maintain not only a healthy marriage but a super successful working relationship as well. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony and Emmy Award winner, currently appearing on The Blacklist, the one and only LaChanze joins us this week. From making history along side her daughter, starring on Broadway in the same season, to her work as one of the founding members of Black Theater United, she has met her career with joy and gratitude, recognizing the power that theatre has to heal not only our personal grief, but our social and political injustices as well. Even in the darkest of times, following the death of her husband, she found solace on the stage and with her theatre family as she forged through raising her daughters on her own and is now breathing in the space of her "empty nest". Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ziva Meditation founder/CEO Emily Fletcher joins us once again to celebrate the upcoming launch of her meditation program for children, ZivaKids. This Broadway dancer turned entrepreneur and meditation guru developed the program over the past two years with experts from Sesame Street and Harvard, and gives us the inside scoop on how to manage stress and cultivate joy in your family. The challenges of this past year — particularly for kids — have made it clear that joy is not guaranteed. But here’s the thing: neither is stress. Tune in now to hear all about the one-time only fun and FREE event you can attend with Emily, Z Bunny and her panel of experts as they help you learn "How To Raise the Happiest Kid You Know". Click the link below to sign up before February 22nd!! zivameditation.com/happiest-kid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Just five weeks postpartum, Khori Michelle Petinaud joins us to share her amazing home birth story. She is amplifying her positive experience to affirm BIPOC women everywhere who dream of someday becoming a mother. Khori is using her voice, her experience and her platform to share and fight the devastating inequities in maternal care in this country for women of color, all while navigating becoming a mother herself. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mother of 7, yes you read that right, 7, Beverly Jenkins has been managing Broadway productions (and her family) for almost 30 years. Her attention to the well-being of her companies can only be described as “motherly”, striking the right balance of support and structure, love and respect. As one of the founders of Broadway and Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of Color, she is bringing connection and opportunity to an entire demographic that has long been overlooked, ensuring their place in the rebirth of Broadway. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kicking off our Black History Month celebration, actress turned director, writer, (and mother), Schele Williams knows the value of being a storyteller, how it is our obligation to the art form itself that mandates diversity and inclusion. She shares her journey through different roles in the theater industry, the racism and misogyny she has faced, and her commitment to always look for who is NOT in the room and figure out how to get them there. This episode with Schele is required listening before Broadway reopens its doors, before we go back to our home that has sat empty for so long and rebuild it with a new framework that has room for everyone. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Star of Hamilton and breast cancer survivor, Mandy Gonzalez shares her journey through a diagnosis, the decision to go public with the news, and enduring chemotherapy during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. Even when faced with the most difficult situation, she never lost sight of the light, pushing through with the help of her family, her “core four”, and the passion that drives her to continue to create even when bedridden from treatment. Mandy’s first book in her YA Series, Fearless comes out in April and our conversation with her leaves no doubt that she is not only the embodiment of the word, but a beacon of positivity to which we all should aspire. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award winner, Kelli O’Hara joins us to kick off 2021 with a healthy dose of positivity and purpose. Now a mother of two, she faced her onstage pregnancies, performing postpartum and being a working artist mother with the same joy and passion she brings to all her roles. From her work on the advisory board of Say.org to using her platform to #sharethemic, Kelli is also keenly aware that it is privilege to even have a voice and therefore it is imperative to use it. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Becoming a mother for the first time during a global pandemic means readjusting your vision of what your journey will be. This week’s guest, Betsy Wolfe, shares not only what it has meant to have a newborn in the midst of COVID-19, but also how she has advocated for herself as a mother in showbiz when she returned to work starring in the first fully realized musical to be filmed in virtual production, Estella Scrooge. From pumping in the car to and from set, to making sure she spent limited time away from her precious daughter, Betsy has navigated this uncharted territory with the confidence of a mother who knows what is truly important in life. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Following her journey thru COVID at the beginning of the Broadway shutdown, Katie Webber, like many in our industry, made a Pandemic Pivot. Using her knowledge as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and her love for simple, healthy and delicious food, she turned lemons into lemon water ;) and wrote a cookbook, Fall For You. From inception of the idea to holding herself accountable on social media, we talk about the steps she took to make this new dream a reality, and how she managed it all while parenting her spirited daughter...during quarantine in NYC. Find more info about the podcast via BPN.fm/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The superhuman powers of this week’s guests are awe-inspiring. Tony award nominee De’Adre Aziza and Broadway regular Jennifer Sanchez join us to share their journeys as single mothers in show business. From hustling to get their first break with toddlers in tow, to experiencing empty nest after their sons have spread their wings, these mothers truly redefine the mom juggle... doing it all... on their own...from day one. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Balancing your child’s needs with your own is one of the hardest parts of motherhood - add separation, divorce and co-parenting to the mix and it only magnifies this challenge. Sara Jean Ford and Ellyn Marie Marsh join us to share their journeys through it all: the power of priority, the necessity of negotiation, and learning to compromise for the good of your child, but not at the expense of your own well being. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Using your voice doesn't always come easy, but it's more important than ever to take a stand for justice, kindness and the future. Co-hosts Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush are keeping you company, and getting you fired up while you wait to VOTE, with an intimate and personal conversation in this special Election Day episode. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Haven Burton joins us again to share her experience as a mother of special needs children, particularly what it has been like during quarantine. We discuss the specific struggles of remote learning and tele therapy, what’s it’s like to be not only a teacher, but a physical, occupational, speech and social skills therapist. The good news is, despite the trials of this time, our children are growing and thriving. Through it all, we are learning more about our special kids and even more about ourselves. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nili Bassman joins us again to talk about the lighter side of loving a child with special needs. Yes, there are struggles, extra hurdles, therapies etc, but there is incredibly immense joy in seeing your child grow and develop in his or her own time and way. We give a special shout out to the amazing therapists, doctors and friends who have come into our lives to help our children thrive, and in doing so have left an indelible mark on our hearts. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award Winner, Tonya Pinkins joins us to share her profound wisdom gleaned from being a single mother of four, a pioneer in the world of labor and delivery in New York City, and a voice for the underrepresented. By always making her children a priority, she has never wavered in her quest for getting what she, a mother, deserves in our industry. Join us, as we learn from the powerhouse that is Ms. Pinkins, just what it means to live in your power while pursuing your passions. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two months into quarantine, we talked to new mothers Kara Lindsay and Jennifer Rias about what it’s like to isolate with a young baby. From finding out you’re pregnant on your first day of rehearsal to wearing a thong onstage while carrying a baby, these Broadway Baby Mamas are now traveling the path of new motherhood during a pandemic. Without work to define or distract them, Kara and Jenn are meeting their new roles as mothers with joy and wonder even during the most trying of times. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther.
Wrapping up our Pride Month series, Stephanie Klemons and Colleen Quinn join us to chat about their journey to Motherhood. We dig deep with these incredible women, discussing everything from how they chose who would carry their first child, to battling an internal guilt for not adopting. The couple are also both giving back to the community in their own ways, Stephanie through her non-profit Katie’s Art Project that gives terminally ill children an artistic outlet to leave a lasting legacy in this world and Colleen through her work as an NYPD police officer in the Health and Wellness unit, bringing yoga and other essential services to a career sect more in need of breath and self care than ever before. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther.
Broadway and television star Cheyenne Jackson and actor turned entrepreneur Jason Landau share their incredible journey to becoming fathers to twins, Ethan and Willow. From their search for an egg donor and a surrogate, to the moment their babies entered the world, they have led with a conscious love and desire to be the best parents to their children and spouses to one another. Join us as we dive deep with Cheyenne and Jason exploring how parenthood forces us to get out of our comfort zones, look inward, and come to terms with our strengths and shortcomings in the never-ending quest to be better parents, partners, and people. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther.
Continuing Pride Month, Daisy Eagan, the youngest female to ever win a Tony award for her portrayal of Annie Lennox in The Secret Garden, shares her motherhood/life journey with us. Coming out to her liberal parents at 12 years old, she continued to explore her sexuality and gender identity all while battling the pressures of show business that has for so long only accepted womxn who look and act a certain way. Wildly open and honest about her struggles and triumphs, Daisy continues to be an activist for the LGBTQ+ community and the #BLM movement, and a voice for the dismantling that needs to take place in order to heal and rebuild our broken society. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther.
"What are you having?“ Something we hear over and over when expecting a child. Many of us gear up for their arrival with preparations specific to their gender, right? So what happens when, a few years later, they tell you they are not comfortable expressing their gender in the way for which you, their parent, prepared? Join us as speak with Gavin Lodge and Christina Rouner about how they have and continue to navigate the path of having gender fluid/non-binary children. They openly share their personal experiences coming to terms with their own pre-conceived ideas, figuring out what bathroom their child wants to use at their school, and giving their children the tools, confidence, and power to be exactly who they are. Find more info about the podcast via BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/mamas. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. Edited by Derek Gunther.