Motherhood in Hollywood

As I sit here, days away from an epic milestone of being married for 20 years, I have to pinch myself. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Chris Brooker. After being married for 20 years, people ask me all the time how we "make it work" or "what's your secret" and I usually just give the same response: respect, laughter and a lot prayer.  We love each other very much but as we've learned over our 20+ year relationship, love alone isn't enough. Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn. You have to add respect to that. Ultimately, as cheesy as it sounds, Chris is my best friend. He knows how I feel about everything, and then how I REALLY feel about everything. He knows my heart, good and bad and all the mistakes I've made, and loves me anyway. And less you think I'm putting him on a pedestal, he'll be the first to tell you I also know how he REALLY feels about everything, good and bad. We are symbiotic about our goals, and values. All of that being said, we don't agree on everything. We have lively debates, get annoyed with each other, and frustrated just like everyone else. But the one thing that remains, is our respect. You wouldn't treat your best friend with disrespect so why would you do that with your spouse? We also are humble enough to know when we need to apologize. I have no problem telling Chris I'm sorry if I've hurt his feelings and he feels the same way. Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn. We are as in love as we were 20 years ago, but it's a deeper, more mature love. And I can't wait to honor our commitment to each other on a beach in Maui. We're planning an intimate vow renewal on the beach and I will probably cry like a baby. But to be fair, so will Chris. Channing is going to be our flower girl and she is so excited! Make sure you follow along on my Instagram and TikTok to see all of the adventures we have planned. We are staying at the newly renovated Westin Maui Resort and Spa and I can't wait to show you all around this beautiful property. We also breakdown the 2021 Oscar nominees and why we think ratings are declining. Tell us if you agree! Don't forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

I was so excited to talk to Lacy Camp and her daughter Darby Camp about their acting careers! This mother daughter duo are teaming with talent. So much so, they are both starring in the new UPTV movie "When We Last Spoke." Darby plays a younger version of the character her mom plays named Juliet. "When We Last Spoke" airs April 4 on UPTV. "When We Last Spoke" is set in 1967. Two rambunctious sisters are abandoned and raised by doting grandparents and one wacky great-grandmother in the fictional southern town of Fireside. Humor, heartbreak and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship and forgiveness.​ Lacy has been on a ton of projects like "Vice Principals," "Outcast" and "Red Band Society." She tells me her daughter showed a natural talent for acting at a young age. And at 13, she's got a resume most adults would dream of. She starred as Reese Witherspoon's daughter in "Big Little Lies" when she was just 9. And you'll recognize her from "The Christmas Chronicles" movies and the upcoming "Clifford the Big Red Dog" movie where she plays Emily Elizabeth. I loved hearing how supportive Lacy is of Darby's career and how well they work together. Lacy and Darby Camp It was also interesting to hear the perspective of working actors that doesn't live in NYC or Los Angeles. The Camps live in North Carolina where they enjoy a quiet, non-Hollywood life (and I imagine it's also much cheaper!) We talked about how they navigate auditions, and working on set. It was very inspiring to hear that it is possible to be successful in this business without living in the two most expensive cities. Take a minute to listen to their story and don't forget to watch them in "When We Last Spoke" April 4th on UPTV! "When We Last Spoke" was filmed on location in Toccoa, Georgia. The movie was adapted from the book written by Executive Producer, Marci Henna.  It was directed by Joanne Hock ("The Ultimate Legacy," "Purple Dreams") and produced by Rick Eldridge ("The Ultimate Gift," "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius") and Fred Miller ("For All Mankind," "Angles Sing").  The film stars Corbin Bernsen ("Major League," "L.A. Law"), Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie"), Chandler Head ("The Glass Castle," "Fosse/Verdon"), Darby Camp, ("Big Little Lies," "The Christmas Chronicles") and Academy Award winner, Cloris Leachman ("The Last Picture Show," "Young Frankenstein").

You know I love a good documentary! Two new documentaries have the Internet buzzing this week and we need to talk about them. The first is "Fake Famous," a documentary from former New York Times and Vanity Fair reporter Nick Bilton. It follows three people who claim to want to be famous, at any cost and explores how easy it is to create fame on platforms like Instagram. Courtesy: FX/The New York Post The second documentary called "Framing Britney Spears" was trending all weekend on Twitter. The doc was produced by The New York Post and is available on FX via Hulu. It aims to delve into the mystery surrounding pop star Britney Spears and why she has been under a conservatorship overseen by her father for the past 12 years. She's basically dropped out of the spotlight in the last few years, except for the occasional erratic social media post of her dancing. And fans who are concerned for her well-being have started the #FreeBritney movement in an effort to get her out from under her father's conservatorship. Chris joins me this week to talk about what these documentaries got right, and what they got wrong. And in the case of "Fake Famous" there is a lot of things they got right when it comes to people buying followers, likes and bot comments. But the film also never gets the perspective of anyone working on social media at Instagram or any other social platform. The movie mostly focuses on Instagram and how easy it is to fake your following. In fact, the main star of the film ends up getting signed by a big agency and books acting work based off of her fake following. But it also never offers a resolution to this obvious flaw in the social media system. Where is the oversight? Who is making sure these fake influencers are held accountable and why are brands so willing to give them money and product just for a post on the gram? Courtesy: HBO I have been called an influencer myself and have first hand knowledge of what it looks like to be "famous" on the internet. I've always hated the term "influencer" but it's now an industry standard term so I gotta roll with it. I don't feel like I have the ability to influence anyone to do something they don't want to do. But I am a content creator and I love sharing about my life online, which I hope resonates with people. I see the good side, and dark side of "influencing" and it doesn't seem like it's going anywhere anytime soon. As for "Framing Britney Spears" there's a ton to dissect in this one. Britney rose to fame when she was very young. Then had several very public heartbreaks, and public meltdowns before her father took control of her finances and well-being. This film explores the years leading up to that, and what has happened since. Most notable, her recent request to regain control of her finances was denied with little to no explanation. Chris and I decided to try something new this week! We recorded the show live on the Clubhouse app where listeners could interact and join in the conversation with us. It was really fun! My friend and Bravo TV star Meghan Conroy-Resich joined us as a moderator and jumped right into the conversation. If you haven't heard of the Clubhouse app yet it's the hottest new app where people are trying to make their mark. It's audio only and listeners can request to join whatever conversation is going on and ask questions or speak their mind. I've really been enjoying it so make sure you follow me and engage with us on future episodes!

Listen, we've all got a lot on our plates these days. Between the pandemic, the insurrection, and a crumbling economy, who really has time to worry about the Golden Globe or the SAG Awards noms? Well, Hollywood does! Every year without fail, the stars drag out their botoxed butts to get their accolades and this year will be no exception. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 SAG Awards. But this year will look difference because the nominations will be virtual as will most of the awards shows. The Academy Awards still haven't confirmed whether they are having an in-person event but they have until April to decide. So for now, I'll be covering the celebrations from my couch. Which should be a celebration in itself!  I dread major awards shows. As a multimedia journalist, I do everything on my own. I shoot, write, edit and produce my own content for work so being able to work from home makes my job exponentially easier. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Academy Awards. And although I do love getting that awesome shot in front of the Oscars sign, I spend the next 5 hours standing shoulder to shoulder with press from around the world all vying for a soundbite from whatever stars will stop and talk to us. Most of them don't, to be honest. Either their publicists tell them to only talk to the big outlets, or they just don't want to stop. But I stand there without fail, calling their names in the hopes they will come over and give me a quick interview that will be outdated as soon as their category is awarded. It's exhausting and somewhat humiliating to be a press member on the red carpet, especially if you're with a small outlet. Don't get me wrong, KNBC isn't small but it's an affiliate. And when I say bigger outlets I mean "Access Hollywood," "Entertainment Tonight" and "Extra." Those are big national outlets who only cover entertainment instead of covering 59 minutes of hard news, than 1 minute of entertainment which is what we do. I totally get why they prioritize the way they do but it still makes my job more challenging than it should be. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Golden Globes. Now after all that, do you even care about who gets nominated? My guess is most people don't. We have so many things to give our attention to right now that involve life and death situations for millions of Americans. And honestly,  maybe these awards shows will be a welcome distraction for everyone who has been stuck at home watching hours of film and television. But regardless, I will be covering this with my usual joy and excitement because as much of a grind as it is on the red carpet, I do still love show business. I love the pomp and circumstance and the idea that someday even a lowly reporter/actor like myself could be up on that stage accepting an award. And yes, I'll probably try some botox just so I fit in.  

Listen, 2020 was a doozy of a year to say the least. And just when we thought 2021 could save us all, a bunch of nuts stormed our Capitol and people died. If that's how this year is going so far, I don't have a lot of hope for the rest of the year. So I invited Chris Brooker to chat with me about politics, the pandemic and what we can look forward to in 2021. Like what to watch on TV! Chris and Heather Brooker at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Chris is my favorite guest for many reasons, but mostly because he's my husband. We love talking about movies and TV almost as much as we love watching them. We talk about what happened this week in Washington as well as what we think will play out over the next few weeks in politics and with the pandemic. But we're also looking to the entertainment world to help us escape from the stressful situation our country is in. "Wonder Woman 1984" streams on HBO Max. Did you watch "Wonder Woman 1984?" We both agree that this movie had way too much plot and not enough character development. They had so many plates spinning in this movie that it didn't leave much time for Wonder Woman to develop a true rivalry between one of her biggest opponents, Cheetah. The movie was bloated and honestly didn't make a lot of sense in some places. But we were still glad to see Wonder Woman back on screen and after the year we had, it was a welcome end to 2020. "The Mandalorian" streams on Disney+. Another welcome end that we, along with most other nerds, loved. "The Mandalorian" ended season 2 with a bang. Chris says the return of Luke Skywalker was the kind of fan service that fans love, rather than the fan service that feels like pandering. What's the difference? I think it depends on whether or not they like the players involved. People seem to really love Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni so at this point they can do no wrong in the eyes of "Star Wars" fans. Cole Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on "Yellowstone," streaming now on Peacock. Have you seen "Yellowstone?" Apparently I'm late to the party on this one. It's a great show and I've been binge-watching in this week. At first I thought it was just another western drama. But it's more like a mafia version of a western. Think "The Godfather" meets "Succession" but set on a ranch in Montana and you'd have "Yellowstone." It's violent, graphic and utterly entertaining. I told my best friend Amy that I finally started watching it and the first thing she said was, "How hot is Rip?" Very. Very hot. Definitely worth adding this show to your binge list if you need something new. And of course Chris and I talk about our pet names for each other and why we should start a new podcast from our couch where we do nothing but talk about movies and TV shows. Stay tuned to see if we ever get up off the couch to actually make that happen. Don't forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

I am embarrassed to admit that I am one of those weirdos that has never seen "High School Musical." That is until I saw the most amazing woman on TikTok just slaaayyying her dance moves. I did the completely normal thing and Googled her and found out that KayCee Stroh played Martha Cox in all of the "High School Musical" movies. So I watched the movies and now feel completely qualified to comment on this pop culture phenomenon that millions of other people have known about for decades. I'm old, people. Cut me some slack! KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox in 'High School Musical' I had the best time talking to KayCee about her unique audition for HSM and the inspiring thing choreographer Kenny Ortega said to her that stays with her to this day. We talked about what's it like to be plus size woman in Hollywood, and the crazy things people have said to her about her weight. Seriously, what IS wrong with people? KayCee also talks about her life long love of dance and if her little girls, Zetta and Lettie caught the dance bug. HOLLYWOOD - MAY 13: (L-R) Actors Kaycee Stroh, Monique Coleman, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Zac Efron and Lucas Grabeel attend the after party for the DVD launch of "High School Musical" on May 13, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) KayCee currently lives in Utah with her husband and 2 girls and after our conversation I was really wishing she lived in LA. I know we would have impromptu dance parties with our girls and sneak out for coffee dates on the regular. For now, I'll just continue to be her biggest fan on TikTok (we are both addicted) and look forward to her next visit to LA. You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!  You can follow KayCee on TikTok and Instagram to dancing along with her!

I have a slight obsession with the Salton Sea area. There's something so fascinating to me about this area that was once the playground for the rich and famous and is now in ruins. Through a series of ecological disasters and land mismanagement, this part of the Coachella Valley is desolate, and facing another ecological crisis. The Salton Sea is drying up and the toxic dust that's left behind will leave a devastating impact on the surrounding communities, even reaching as far as Los Angeles and San Diego. Channing and I visited the Salton Sea in July 2020 This impending disaster and the history of the area is explored in a new documentary called "Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea." I spoke with writer/director Greg Bassinian who tells me why he wanted to tell this story and raise awareness for what's happening in this community. And before you write it off as a Southern California problem, the documentary explains how the impact is as far reaching as the federal government. "Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea" documentary is available now. You can read more about it on NBCLA and I highly encourage you to watch this film. It's a heartbreaking look at time gone by, and peek into a very costly ecological disaster that's looming over the state of California. The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and YouTube. Go to miracleinthedesert.com for more information and a list of places you can watch.

Chris Brooker is back and we're diving into our favorite topics: TV, and our kid! With so much content to watch lately it can be overwhelming to choose something you like. We have some recommendations like "The Boys" on Amazon Prime Video, "Teenage Bounty Hunters" on Netflix, and Cobra Kai on Netflix just to name a few.   We are also opening up about what's like to start distance learning. Chan has been back in school for about 2 weeks and it's as sad as we thought it would be. She sits in front of her computer for 6 hours a day bouncing from Zoom meetings to independent study. She has almost no interaction with the other kids in class. This has been so hard to watch because Chan is such a social kid. She misses her friends so much and they aren't even in her class this year. She's in a new class with none of the friends she made in Kinder or 1st grade and no way to socialize to make new friends. I realize we aren't the only people in this position. Millions of parents around the U.S. are juggling work and school at home, trying to figure out how to keep their kids safe and maintain their education. All I know is that I would rather have her setback a few months in school than sick, or worse, dead. It helps to put things in perspective and Chris and I dive into why it's important to us to keep her at home for now instead of in the classroom. Thanks for listening to this episode and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!    

I've been working in the media for more than 20 years. Even though that pretty much reveals how old I really am, it's something I'm very proud to tell people. I'm a journalist who started out as a reporter in the small market of St. Joseph, MO. I was a "one-man-band" meaning, I carried all of my own equipment, shot and edited my own video and wrote all my own stories. Cut to 20 years later, and as the first ever digital entertainment reporter at NBC Los Angeles, not much has changed. I still do all of those things, but now I have the added element of posting all my stories on social media. It's a lot of work but I really love it! Becky Brooks shares that same passion for media. She is the executive director of the The Alliance for Women in Media, including journalism, digital, film and television. She says their mission is to connect, recognize and inspire women across the media industry. They do that through annual events, an interview series, the AWM Foundation, and the annual Gracie Awards, named after Gracie Allen, a media pioneer who embodied the character of the awards. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21, 2019: AWMF Board Members at the 44th Annual Gracies Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation on May 21, 2019 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The Gracies, as they've become known, recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. They also acknowledge the individuals who have made inspirational contributions to the industry. There's something so beautiful about women supporting women especially in this field. Media, film and television can be competitive and it's wonderful to see an organization who's goal is to encourage and lift up other women. If you'd like more information about The Alliance for Women in Media visit their website, allwomeninmedia.org.  Please enjoy this interview with Becky Brooks and don't forget to leave a review!

It's been a hot minute since our family took a true road trip. Quick trips to Palm Springs and Laguna Beach don't really count. I'm talking about packing up the pets, stocking up on road snacks and mapping out destinations. That's what we decided to do to get our safe, social distance road trip in for the summer. We decided not to go with an RV like a lot of families are doing for a few reasons. One, both times we tried to rent an RV it fell through. And also, we were planning to travel some narrow and winding highways and didn't feel comfortable doing that in our first RV driving experience. Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz.I have always wanted to visit central California. I sounds so dreamy and I imagine the photo opportunities would be off the charts (always thinking about my Instagram). So we started in Santa Cruz which was about a 5 hour drive from LA. We drove through a ton of farmland and had lunch in Gilroy, the garlic capitol of the world. Then headed north to Santa Cruz. I have to say, we weren't super impressed with Santa Cruz. I thought it would be more of a beach community but it was really run down in the areas we visited. Maybe there was a more picturesque part but we didn't see that. The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.Our first stop was The Mystery Spot! This kitschy destination has been on our radar for a while and we finally made it. Here's how the website describes it: "The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. But don't take our word for it, come and decide for yourself!" Wear a mask if you go The Mystery Spot while coronavirus is on the loose!We had no idea what was happening inside but I took a fun video and got great pictures while we were there. Channing was fascinated and thought the whole thing was really cool. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area especially because it's only $8! Santa Cruz Boardwalk, July 2020.We went to the Boardwalk but almost everything was closed because of the coronavirus. We stayed at a cute hotel near the beach called Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages. We got the "suite" because it was the biggest space but it definitely wasn't roomy. It was quaint and had a great front porch area with faux grass. Sunny Cove Beach in Santa CruzIt was also a short walk to Sunny Cove Beach which we thought was lovely. But at night a lot of sketchy characters were starting to fill up the cove so we left as the sun was setting. Overall not a bad place to stay and pretty far removed from the more public beaches. Lover's Park in Monterey Bay.We headed out the next morning and drove through Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea and headed south on highway 1 towards Big Sur. We were in the clouds or a thick fog bank for most of the drive but it was still very pretty. And cool! I couldn't believe how cold the weather was for early July. But I think that's because we are used to sweating our pants off in SoCal from about May to October. Ribs platter at Big Sur Smokehouse.We had an excellent lunch at Big Sur Smokehouse right off the highway. It was pricey but some of the best barbecue we've had in a long time. So, worth it. Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur.After lunch we went looking for Pfeiffer Beach, a hidden beach off the highway that's only accessible via a one lane road. You have to veer to the side as much as possible in order to let other drivers pass. And if the small parking lot at the end of the road fills up, you're out of luck. You can go down the road if there is nowhere to park. We got lucky because 2 cars were pulling out as we were going in. Purple sand on Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.If you don't know about Pfeiffer Beach, this is the beach with purple sand and keyhole rocks that look amazing at sunset.

I have always been fascinated with television. I consume hours and hours of it each week and have since I was a kid. I was an 80s baby raised by a single mom who worked full time so the TV was my babysitter a lot of the time. And since I was little I have dreamed of being on TV, making people laugh and being a part of their family week after week. And while television has changed a lot since the 80s, my dream hasn't. The feeling I get when I watch a great show hasn't changed either. When I first moved to LA I immersed myself in improv and comedy at the Groundlings. I thought the best way to get my own show was to just be funny and work with great people and eventually I would get cast. Hindsight is always 20/20 but I wish I could tell myself to become a producer and develop my own show. That's where I want to be! Now that I know more about the TV development process I understand just how little control and power actors have, unless you are also a producer. Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal. I'm so thrilled to have Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic on the show this week to help demystify television development and shed some light on how a show gets made. Brenda is the Director of Programming and Development at NBC Universal. She works on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Access Hollywood" to name a few and has several projects in development that she can't reveal just yet. She previously spent 13 years at PBS SoCal where she was responsible for directing the development, production, national distribution and marketing of programs on PBS. You might be familiar with her PBS shows like "Variety Studios: Actors on Actors" where actors interview each other. Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic is photographed during Governors Portraits on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) Brenda has won 10 Emmy Awards, and has had 15 Emmy nominations. She currently serves on the Daytime Emmy Awards Committee and previously served as LA Area Governor on the Board of Governors for the Television Academy as well as Co-Chair of the Governors Ball for the Primetime Emmys and Co-Chair of the LA Area Emmys. To say she is a proactive member of the television community would be an understatement. She is entrenched in the development and creation of ideas for TV. So of course, I had to ask her what she thinks about the rise in popularity of streaming content over the last decade. We talked about how traditional broadcast is learning to pivot to keep viewers tuned in while streaming platforms surge. I've always been curious about how producers get in rooms with development executives and if the traditional method of going through an agent, pitching and signing a deal is still the norm. I love what Brenda has to say about this in terms of finding new talent and ideas. She recently discovered someone on YouTube and liked them so much, she started developing a show with them. How amazing! This is why I tell people to never stop creating because you never know who is watching. Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal. We also talk about the demands of working for a major network like NBC and juggling family life. She is a mom of two and, like most of the country, has been working from home since the stay home orders were put in place. She says despite the industry shut down, they are still constantly working on developing new ideas and content for programs. This was such an inspiring conversation and really gives us a glimpse into how television gets made, and what someone looking to get into development or develop their own show can do to get a leg up. The next time you're watching a great show on NBC, you'l have a better sense of the people behind the scenes who took a nugget of an idea and followed it through until it landed in your living room.

Lia Dias is the newest cast member of Bravo TV's "Married to Medicine Los Angeles." She joins the show in season 2 and hints that the drama is worth tuning in for. She is a friend of Dr. Imani's and prides herself on the notoriety of being a business entrepreneur and a girl boss rather than embracing the lifestyle of being a typical doctor's wife. Her husband is a psychiatrist and colleague of Dr. Imani's. Lia Dias is a new cast member on season 2 of "Married to Medicine Los Angeles." We talked about how she juggles owning a chain of beauty supply stores called The Girl Cave LA as well as her three kids, Kaylin, Colin and Kayla.  She tells me that she didn't have any concerns about letting cameras into her home to film her family because Bravo made sure all of the kids were taken care of. She explains that it was a priority for them to make sure the kids were comfortable in each scene and took breaks when necessary. "Married to Medicine Los Angeles" airs Sundays 9/8c on Bravo TV. She also talks about how each cast member on the show is very different, despite having so much in common. Turns out, Bravo is really good at casting different types of personalities who can bring us good drama on TV! And "Married to Medicine Los Angeles" is no exception. In this episode he gives us a closer look at what fans can expect to see on season 2 so don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Then you you can watch Lia build her business, and make new friends (or frenemies!) on "Married to Medicine Los Angeles" Sundays 9/8c on Bravo.  

Jessica Butler is the co-creator of the hit Nick at Nite series, "Instant Mom." She and her husband writer/producer Warren Bell created the show based on her experiences as a stepmother. She says she felt there was nothing on TV that represented how families can co-parent together. She also wanted to dispel the trope of the wicked stepmother, which does more harm to families than people realize. RaiseMagazine.com focuses on telling stories of non-traditional families. Butler is a stepmother of two sons, and an adoptive mom to one son and wanted to see her stories and other non-traditional stories represented online. So she launched Raise Magazine, a lifestyle site for modern mothers, featuring stories of stepparenting, adoption, foster care, surrogacy, and non-traditional families. Warren Bell and Jessica Butler co-created "Instant Mom" on Nick at Nite based on their family. Butler says she creates content for fellow stepmoms who are navigating a new marriage, instant motherhood, and co-parenting all at once, as well as for women who are stepdaughters themselves. A recent poll from Pew Research Center revealed that 44% of women in America -- nearly half -- have a step relationship. While most stepparenting sites cater solely to stepmoms, Raise covers single motherhood as well, providing a community for moms who are navigating co-parenting from the other side, along with challenges like dating as a parent. Jessica Butler and her son Levon. As an adoptive mother in an open adoption, she offers her perspective to hopeful and current adoptive moms, as well as birth moms and adoptees, through conversations on open and closed adoptions, interracial and kinship adoptions, and the day-to-day challenges of raising an adopted child. Raise also profiles former foster youth and current foster parents on their experiences with the system. The Raise site is currently building a team of experts in the fields of adoption, foster care, health and wellness, pediatrics, and assisted reproductive technology to serve as consultants to its growing community of modern families. She says she hopes Raise becomes a community for families who feel like they don't fit into the traditional family mold. In fact, does anyone still fit into that mold? There are so many different types of families in the world now but we don't see those stories on TV or in film. You can find out more about Jessica and her community at RaiseMagazine.com.

If you read the title of this post then you're probably thinking, wait, Heather has an empire? I might be exaggerating a bit. But this podcast did help me build a business, expand my network, and discover a new career path. This is my 200th episode of Motherhood in Hollywood and I'm celebrating! And of course my guest is Chris Brooker. We're taking a brief look back at the incredible guests who took the time to share their story with me on my little show and what has changed in my life in the almost five years since MIH launched. My first Motherhood in Hollywood in July 2015 I have to say a huge thank you to my first few guests, Jen Hasty and Amy Crofoot. These two mamas were my only mom friends at the time and graciously agreed to come to my house and let me pick their brains about being a mom in Hollywood. When I started MIH there were no parenting-centric entertainment podcast. There was a lot of comedy podcasts, entertainment podcasts, and parenting podcast but none that combined what it means to be a working parent in showbiz. Cut to five years later and every A, B, C and D level celeb has their own podcast on parenting. Clearly I started a trend! And clearly I have stayed humble. I had no idea what doors this podcast would open for me and truly, I don't take a second of it for granted. Before starting this show I never knew what a mommy blogger was. I never knew there was a world of "events" that people went to and got free product in exchange for posting about it on social media or talking about it on their podcast. I was so immersed in the actor hustle that this side of life was completely foreign to me. Heather and Chan on the redCARpet at the Skirball Cultural Center in 2015. The first event was I invited to was the Red Carpet Safety event. My friend Jill Simonian, aka The Fab Mom, asked her friend Saraah Samandi if I could tag along with my two year old. It was a blistering hot day in early September and a ton of moms and celebrities were packed into the Skirball Center looking at the latest baby products. And when I left, they handed me a huge bag of baby swag. For what? Just for going to a party and mingling with celebs? I was sold! I started researching blogging, designed my own website, focused on growing my social media and set out to see if I could get more free stuff! Soon I started making connections at the events I went to and met other moms with similar interest. We shared ideas about how to grow, and reach our goals. I quickly realized that my goals started to change. I didn't want just a bag of swag, I wanted to make money and start a business. I researched podcast ads, sponsored Instagram posts, media kits and marketing tools. I hired a publicist to help me get my name out to various online publications and to be a guest other podcasts. I spent more money than I made. But in the end, it paid off. I started getting celebrity guests, and influencers for my podcast. Top producers and writers wanted to be on my show! Call me The Jeffersons cause I was movin' on up! Then I started being referred to as an "influencer." This is not a title I've ever been comfortable with because it implies I somehow have influence over people. I'm just a wacky actor. Who would listen to me? But that's the term the industry still uses to this day when I work with brands or host events or speak on panels. So I just accept that's what I'm called and don't let it go to my head. I know it's a ridiculous term and there are ridiculous influencers in the space, but that term doesn't define who I am. Recently I had some people in my life try to tear me down and belittle my business and career because they don't fully understand or support what I do. Or maybe, they just let their own insecurities get the best of them. The broke my heart in the cruelest way and tried to make me feel bad for what I've accomplished. Don't ever let anyone steal your joy! If anyone wants to buy me a drink sometime I'll gladly te...

My guest this week is no stranger to the red carpet. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau was a red carpet reporter for "Entertainment Tonight" and E! Network before leaving it all behind to pursue her passion for conservation and story telling. If her last name sounds familiar it's because she's married to Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famous explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau. Together they have formed a passionate partnership around using the power of entertainment to raise awareness of conservation issues. Species renderings from 'Drop in the Ocean'   Ashlan and her husband Philippe are producers and narrators of a new Virtual Reality ocean exploration experience "Drop in the Ocean" that premiered at Tribeca Immersive in 2019. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau and her husband Philippe Cousteau hosting "Caribbean Pirate Treasure" on Travel Channel. Recently, she was also the co-star of Travel Channel’s award-winning series, "Caribbean Pirate Treasure" for three seasons.  Her documentary, "Nuclear Sharks", for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week 2016 premiered as the #1 rated show across all cable programming. She also traveled to Antarctica to be a headlining speaker at Ted xScottBase.  She has served as host for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and was selected by former Vice-President Al Gore to be the opening anchor for 24Hours of Reality. She is a voice for environmental issues on Capitol Hill through events, and briefings and serves on the National Council of WWF, and the advisory boards of Ocean Unite and the Environmental Media Association. And she also a new mom to her "Baby Fish" who is already being groomed for world travel. She and her husband hope to take their daughter with them when they go on adventures around the world, truly incorporating motherhood into her world. If you'd like to see where she's headed next, when the current health crisis is over, follower her on Instagram. I have no doubt you will also see her pop up on red carpets again, sharing her own stories rather than interviewing other people about theirs.

The entire entertainment industry has come to a grinding halt. There are a few movies and TV shows that were wrapped before the coronavirus pandemic hit that are still rolling out with PR, but for the most part there's nothing new happening. Yet. But you can bet when it does, I'll be ready. I've been spending some of my spare time doing self-tapes, general auditions and reading books about acting. I'm also soaking up any tidbits of information casting directors are sharing right now like my guest this week, Lindsey Weissmueller. We recorded this interview before the shut down but the helpful information will last far beyond what's going on right now. My hope is that this is helpful to you and gets your mind working toward how you can jump back into acting once things get going again. I first met Lindsey when I auditioned for "Adam Ruins Everything." It was a small part but that didn't matter. Lindsey took the time to chat with me, get to know me, and let me play a little bit with my role. What a dream! As actors we are often called into rooms where we have just a few lines to deliver. I've been in and out of some rooms in less than 20 seconds. It's so disheartening, especially when you rehearse, get all dressed up, get a sitter, drive across town, and risk a parking ticket just to be seen for 20 seconds. It really means a lot when casting directors take the time to get to know you and let you try your role a few different ways. Lindsey is a mom of 2 boys and has a little girl on the way. She talks about how she juggles the demands of casting with motherhood and how it's changed her perspective on her career. I say that knowing they can't always do that. Casting directors are under tremendous deadlines and pressure with the producers to get roles cast, that may film the next day or even that same day. It's a very fast paced business and you have to be ready no matter what happens when you walk in that door. I hope you find comfort in this interview with Lindsey and it inspires you to stay on top of your craft so you'll be ready for whatever comes your way when this mess is over. Make sure you follow Lindsey on Instagram to see her beautiful family and the occasional post about the industry!

I've been living and working side-by-side with my husband Chris for over 3 weeks now. At first we were worried about how it would all work out. But I feel like I blinked and it was April. Chris is joining me on the podcast this week to talk about how our lives, all lives, are forever changed because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is what our current situation looks like as we life and work side-by-side during the coronavirus pandemic. We are both very fortunate to have our jobs but we know that could change any moment. One swift swing from either of our employers and we could be jobless. For now we try to keep a routine, a schedule of some kind, each day. That gives us some sense of normalcy, and normalcy for Channing. Her birthday was on Sunday and we celebrated in the best way we could without having an actual party. I started the day by pranking her with a confetti drop on her head when she woke up. She was so surprised and it really set the tone for the day of fun I had planned. We did a scavenger hunt for her gifts too. That got us outside and running around which was a lot of fun. Our amazing friends also drove from all over LA to drive by our house and honk and wave to her. She was jumping for joy when she saw her best friends from school. That was the first time we'd seen them in a month because before the corona lockdown, Chan was actually on 10 day spring break. In addition to that, generous friends mailed cards and sent her videos so it seemed like the world knew and was celebrating her birthday. I am often surprised and blown away by the capacity for kindness in humans and I'm so grateful to everyone who helped make her day great. As for Chris and I, we are trying to remain patient and respectful of each other in this new world we live in. We make sure connect about his work calls and mine to make sure someone is watching Chan. We also try to remind each other to take walks and regular breaks. Just getting up and moving around can be a great mood lifter. We also try to make sure the other one has some time alone during the day. It's important to get a few minutes to yourself to relax and stay grounded during this time. Our anniversary is coming up in a few weeks and while it won't look exactly like we planned, we will do our best to make it special. I'd love to hear how others are working and living with their spouses. What are you doing to stay sane and stay married?

The number one question in my DM's and inbox over the last month has been, how did you get invited to the Disney Creators Celebration? The short answer is, luck. The long answer might give you some insights on how you can get the attention of the Disney powers that be to hopefully secure a spot in this invite only conference. First, what is the Disney Creators Conference? It's a week-long celebration for creators that begins with 3 days at Walt Disney World, and ends on a 3 day Disney Cruise. This event used to be known as the Land and Sea Disney Social Media Moms Conference (DSMMC) and was made up of mom bloggers who are passionate about all things Disney. About a hundred moms were invited from all over the U.S. to have unique experiences and get a behind the scenes look at some of the Disney operations. It seems like organizers have tweaked the formula for the event and opened it up to non-mom influencers and creators which is a great idea. There are so many Disney bloggers and influencers who aren't parents that could benefit from this type of insights.  Dad bloggers too! There was about a hundred creators on this trip and their families so you can imagine this was a lot of people to organize. And unlike DSMMC, there wasn't one common thread that made you say, Oh this is why they got invited! There were influencers with really big accounts, YouTubers, bloggers, TikTokers, and even people with very small accounts. Some people create beautifully curated pictures and videos, while others shoot mediocre, unfiltered pictures on their iPhone. The only thing I can tell you is why I think I was invited, although I may never know for sure because Disney guards this secret tightly. How I think I got on the list for the Disney Creators Conference: I create consistent, family friendly content. I use Disney hashtags when appropriate. I tag Disney accounts in my posts when appropriate. I go to Disneyland events and Disney related events in SoCal when I can. I post other non-Disney content but with the same level of quality. (Not just Disney content) I like and comment on other Disney influencers posts. I don't trash Disney online, even when I don't get invited to things. This may be the secret formula or it may just be, as I said, luck. I'll never know because again, they keep their decision making process a secret. My guess is if you keep creating good content, network with other Disney influencers, comment on their posts, and keep growing your account then you will be on their radar. I don't know if they will keep doing this event every year or every two years but my hope is that it's every year. I've been lucky to be invited a few times and I don't take it for granted. What do we do at the Disney Creators Conference? First, it's not a free event. There is a conference fee. We also pay for our airfare and some meals at the theme park. So it's not an entirely hosted event either. Disney sets up the itinerary and ours included a conference day with speakers, dessert party at Epcot, breakfast at Pandora, dessert party on Batuu, private screening of "Onward", behind the scenes experiences on the Disney Dream, a private welcome and farewell party on the Disney Dream, and passes to rent bikes or tubes on Castaway Cay. They also arrange for transportation to and from the airport or Disney Parks if you need it. I'll be sharing more highlights from this trip over the next few weeks on my podcast as well as here. If there's any part of this trip you'd like to know more about just ask! I'm happy to answer any questions.

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've never watched "The Bachelor." Or "The Bachelorette." Well, I've watched enough of it to know it's not really my jam. But its cultural significance and popularity can't be ignored. There are dozens of podcasts, fan sites, and more dedicated to all things Bachelor nation and it's one of the highest rated shows on television. DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was on season 4 of "The Bachelorette" So when I found out my friend DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was not only a contestant on "The Bachelor",  but also an actual Bachelorette I was shook. I had no idea this sweet woman I'd gotten to know over cocktails at the country club was on this show I have a fair amount of disdain for. Before you judge me for judging this show, let me tell you where I'm coming from. I'm an actress, and for years I was under the impression that all these reality shows were taking away TV airtime that could go to scripted shows, and therefore, create jobs for actors like me. I assumed that these types of shows (ala "Jersey Shore") were made for people who have no taste in quality programming. Very snobby I know! But now I realize that reality TV has a very special and important role in television. It fills a voyueristic need that people have to see how the other half lives.  I've also let go of a lot of my resentment toward reality TV because of the plethora of streaming services that offer scripted shows. I'm grown up guys! And mostly I've learned to embrace reality TV because I've met so many wonderful people like DeAnna who are a part of the reality show family. I know you'll love hearing her story as much as I did! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

You have no doubt seen Melanie Paxson on your TV hundreds if not thousands of times over the last two decades. Most of you will recognize her right away as the "Glad Girl". She captured our hearts and made us want to use better food storage and trash bags when she starred in several commercials for Gladware.  My favorite commercial she starred in was for Red Robin. Seriously, their burgers are bomb! In addition to being a prolific commercial actress, Melanie has a lengthy list of TV credits as well. She starred in "Cupid," "Happy Family," and all three "Descendants" movies. And I also have a favorite show she's been in: "Notes From the Underbelly." That's where I got my final SAG voucher to join the union. I was not only a fan of that show, but it some small way, it helped get my professional acting career started. So as you can imagine I was thrilled Melanie agreed to come on my show. We immediately jumped into how much we love being moms. As in-demand as she is, she is prioritizing her children and focusing on family. She has a 9-year-old son and a recently welcomed a baby girl as well. We talked about why there was a nine year gap between kids and how fleeting fertility can be. She has an incredibly fertility story to tell, but she isn't quite ready to share that yet. Melanie hopes to write it down and share it when she feels ready. For now we talk about the struggles of prioritizing family in an industry that feels so demanding. It feels as if you take a moment off, opportunities will pass you by. But in reality, there will always be opportunity to work, audition and create. We also give ourselves permission to spend time with our kids. I love taking Chan to piano class, soccer practice and picking her up after school. It's the one part of my day that has the least amount of pressure and stress and brings me immense joy. Actress Melanie Paxon poses on arrival for the US Premiere of the film 'Saving Mr. Banks' at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on December 9, 2013. The film has a limited opening on December 13 and will open nationwide on December 20. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. Brown (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) And I think you will find immense joy when you listen to this episode! Make sure you subscribe and leave a review to keep up with my show. And don't forget to follow Melanie on Instagram. She's starring in a new Amazon Prime Video show called "Dealbreakers" and you won't want to miss it.

Raise your hand if you know everything about parenting? *sees no hands* I certainly don't know everything and am always trying to learn more about being a better parent. Thankfully we have Jo Frost, better known as the Supernanny to help us. And after a 9 year break from her supernanny role, she's returning to television on Lifetime TV. Supernanny Jo Frost and Heather Brooker having tea The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Jo has 30 years of expertise in helping families navigate the often tumultuous and confusing task of raising children. Seriously. are we doing it right?? Only time will tell! The "Supernanny" first made her appearance on television 15 years ago and sparked many conversations about parenting and how we can do better as parents. Jo ended the show in 2011 but recently decided it was time to come back and share her signature brand of tell-it-like-it-is parenting advice to families who need her help. I had the chance to sit down with Jo over tea and talk about why she's back on TV now, what's different about her new "Supernanny" show on Lifetime, how can we parent better in the digital age and get her advice on raising an un-entitled child in a very entitled world.  Her advice is grounded, rational, and proven to get results. Nothing short of super. Listen to this episode and make sure you watch "Supernanny" Wednesdays on Lifetime TV.

Chris Brooker is back on the show to talk about why we don't have flying cars and hologram watches yet (seriously, why don't we?) He's also here to talk about some of the most anticipated movies of 2020. Well, at least the ones we're anticipating the most. On the top of both of our lists is "Wonder Woman 1984." I love anything 80's and I have a feeling this is going to be a retro nostalgia overload and I can't wait. I think Chris is just pumped to see Gal Gadot in her WW outfit (and who can blame him?) We are split on "Top Gun 2." I am pumped for that one, for sexual reasons. Chris doesn't think it's necessary. I'm like, of course it's necessary! We have to see what they've been up to these last 30 years! Are they still riding the hog into the sunset? And there better be a volleyball scene or I'm walking out. We're also spilt on "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." Chris is really excited for this one because he thinks it looks like a unique continuation of the characters. I think it looks like a kids version of the original, set on a farm.  But hey, Paul Rudd is in it so that's a win! Then there's "Birds of Prey." We both feel meh about this one. Don't @ me but Harley Quinn is one of my least favorite DC characters. Chris just doesn't think the trailer makes it look very good. Either way I'm sure we'll see it. Both of us are excited for "Coming to America 2." How could we not be? Eddie Murphy and the whole cast are back to serve up some antics and I am ready for it.  Also, can we just take a moment to be glad that Eddie Murphy has come out of hiding and is blessing us with his comedy again? Praise be! Other movies we feel equally mildly excited about are "No Time to Die", "Black Widow",  "A Quiet Place: Part II", "Bad Boys for Life" and "Fast and Furious 9." Do we really need a 9th movie of racing cars and bald dudes? I guess so. There are a lot of movies coming out this year but honestly nothing other than WW1984 has caught my eye yet. But television on the other hand is filling in the blanks where the box office is lacking. We're saving that chat for another show. What movie do you want to see in 2020?

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Tales of the Bigfoot go back centuries, and for probably just as long, scientists have been trying to prove Bigfoot exists. The new Travel Channel series "Expedition Bigfoot" takes a scientific approach to this tall tale, with the guidance of world-renowned primatologist Dr. Mireya Mayor. "With a unique blend of expertise, the 'Expedition Bigfoot' team – including Bryce Johnson, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Russell Acord, Ronny LeBlanc, and Ryan “RPG” Golembeske – may finally take one of the world’s greatest mysteries out of the pages of legend and lore and into reality. Get to know them all before this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime expedition." Mireya has been traveling the globe and pursuing her passion for primates for nearly two decades. She tells me her love of primates started as a young girl watching nature documentaries and films. She's also a mom of 6 who is passing on her love of science to her children. Along the way she's often been called a “female Indiana Jones,” and is an inspiration to young women interested in science and exploration. But less you think that's not enough to do, there's even more. She's a two-time Emmy Award-nominated field correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and speaks to audience around the world about wildlife and habitat issues. She's also passionate about the environment and the effects of climate change. Her explorations have led to several scientific discoveries, including her co-discovery of the world's smallest primates, a brand-new species to science. So cool! The Expedition Bigfoot Team (left to right): Russell Acord, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Bryce Johnson, Ronny LeBlanc. She's a Florida girl at heart, growing up in Miami. And she recently joined Florida International University as Director of the Exploration and Science Communication Initiative. She tells me she was an NFL cheerleader and is a girly girl who loves getting down in the mud to investigate and explore. In fact that's what inspired her book, Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey from NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer. You'll love my conversation with Mireya where we talk about the challenges of parenting as a scientist and television host. "Expedition Bigfoot" weekly on the Travel Channel.  Check here for listing and showtimes.  Mireya can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the Web.

There is powerful movement that's been taking root in Hollywood, and beyond, for the past 2 years. Many women, and some men, are standing up to say we've had enough of sexual harassment, assault, and unfair work place treatment. One of the ways we're learning about what's going on behind the scenes in Hollywood, is through documentaries like "Nevertheless." Director Sarah Moshman has built a career on providing a platform for women to tell their stories. After directing two short documentaries about female empowerment in young women, (Girls Rock! Chicago (2010) and Growing up Strong: Girls on the Run (2012)) Sarah directed her first feature doc called The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things (2014). That film has been screened over 700 times around the US and around the world in schools, groups, organizations and corporations starting conversations about gender equality. With Indieflix as the distributor, the film has been sponsored by major brands like Nordstrom, American Girl and Microsoft to spread this message far and wide. Sarah's second feature doc, Losing Sight of Shore follows the incredible journey of four women who rowed across the Pacific Ocean. The film was released globally in 190 countries on Netflix in May 2017. NEVERTHELESS is Sarah’s third feature documentary which takes a look behind the headlines of #MeToo and Time’s Up to shine a light on the sexual harassment crisis. She shares details about why she wanted to make this film, and what the reception has been like when she seeks distribution. While it seems like things are moving in the right direction, it's still an uphill battle to get female-centric movies made. Sarah is creating change in the industry while juggling life as a mom of a 2-year-old with her husband.  She says the stories she wants to tell take on a deeper and more urgent meaning after something that happened to her when she was 6 months pregnant. She explains it in an op-ed piece here: "Our neighbor approached us in front of our building one sunny afternoon and asked, “So do you know if it’s a boy or girl yet?” to which we politely replied, “Not yet.” Without skipping a beat, he piped up to say: “You know what? It’s fine. If you have a girl, you just have to accept that someday, someone’s going to fuck your daughter." I think what bothered me the most about his sentence was the idea that this is something that would happen to her, she wouldn’t have any choice in the matter. It wasn’t that “Your daughter is going to have sex someday,” which as a parent is a lot to swallow, anyway. It was that someone was going to do this to her and she has no agency in this scenario." It's the idea that women and girls are sexualized at birth, or even before birth, that drives Sarah to keep telling these stories. She hopes that people of all ages, and especially men watch her films and start to have conversations about this behavior. To find out more about Sarah and what she's working on next, visit SarahMoshman.com.

Imagine shaking and shimmying your way to a fitter version of yourself in just 27 minutes.  That's the idea behind PLATEFIT - a high intensity workout that uses vibrating power plates to shimmy you to skinny. Or at least, more fit. I talked with the founder of PLATEFIT Rachael Blumberg about why she created this work out, and if working out on vibrating plates really works. Rachael says vibration training is more than physical fitness and it's backed by science. She tells me NASA uses this technology to train their astronauts. I'm in! Anything that's good enough for the astronauts is good enough for me! I haven't tried a class yet but it's on my list as soon as I get a break. Here's why Rachael says it works: "We utilize the science of vibration to wake up your cells, increase circulation, drain & detoxify the lymphatic system, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery time. The body’s response to vibration increases serotonin & HGH and reduces cortisol— leaving you feeling high and living more vibrantly." She tells me she had a dream to start a business using vibration training and partnered with Cher to get started. Yes, THAT Cher! But soon after they started their business, Cher had to go to Vegas for her residency and Rachael navigated the growing popularity of PLATEFIT on her own. The business grew and grew through word of mouth and testimonials of people who had real results from this powerful 27 minute workout. Now she owns several PLATEFIT locations across SoCal and will be opening more next year. She's also a mom of 2 little ones and has a passion for fitness and following her dreams. You'll love hearing her story in this episode and when you do, share your workout goals with me for the New Year! And you can visit platefit.co for more info on classes.

I am in awe of moms who do stand up comedy. It's such a grind and the payoff isn't guaranteed. Add to that the negativity that comes with jaded comics who are "keeping it real" and it seems like such a hard road to travel with kids in tow. My guest this week is Jenna Kim Jones who is shedding light on the world of comedy while juggling mom life. Jenna and her husband Al host a podcast called Couple Friends. On their website, they describe is as a virtual friendship with their listeners. "Let Jenna Kim Jones and her husband #AL be your virtual couple friends. JKJ and #AL are the married couple friends you really want to see but, like, you’re also kind of tired and maybe we can do it another time?  They get you. And you get them. Listen to them talk about nonsense, play games, and ramble on about life. They’ll never talk politics and best of all, they’ll never ask you to babysit their kids so they can go on date night."   Jenna is a clean comic and says she's been called a clean version of Amy Schumer, which in itself is hilarious. Does she only have 20 seconds of material?? No. In fact she has a ton of material that she performs all over the US and is currently working on a new stand up special. In this episode we talk about the challenges clean comics face, and the demands of traveling for work. We also talk about why I'm jealous she moved to Atlanta and can afford to pay her mortgage (c'mon LA get it together!) You can follow Jenna and listen to her comedy on her Instagram @JennaKimJones to see where she'll be performing next. Don't forget to subscribe to her podcast, and mine, and leave a review!  

So many times I think, I wish there was four of me! Luckily the ladies from Moms on the Clock had the bright idea to partner up and combine their talents to share with the world. I can't wait for you to meet Ashley, Steff, Brooke and Beth - the moms from Moms on the Clock! Each mom has their own specialty from fashion to food. And they share their talents on their website, Youtube channel and Instagram. I wanted to talk with these mamas about how they found each other, but more importantly how they navigate friendship in today's world. I feel like women have so much more pressure now than ever before to look, sound, perform and BE a certain way. Is it any wonder how any of us make friends...and keep them? Social media adds pressure for us all to seem perfect, swing the other way and be a hot mess. Is there an in between? That's where I am. And that's where the Moms on the Clock live. They share open, honest posts about their lives as moms and friends with very useful content.  Listen to this episode and you'll love these mamas and want to follow along as they navigate motherhood together. You can find out more information at momsontheclock.com and follow them on Instagram at @momsontheclock.

I've known Teresa Reilly ("Parks and Rec.") for almost 10 years. We did a small indie play together called Slumpbuster and to a lackluster crowd of about 10 people a night for 6 weeks (I think?). We've stayed in touched thanks to social media, but I noticed a prolonged absence on her end. She practically disappeared. I assumed, like most millennials that she was just taking a social media break. After all, constantly posting online can wear you out. But in reality, Teresa had an accident at the gym and suffered a traumatic brain injury that devastated her world. She had to relearn some motor skills and overcome memory issues. When she describes what she went through, all I can think is how strong she is. I don't know that I would have had the strength to pull myself together. But she did. And now she and her husband are expecting their first child, due any day now. She says she spent the last several years focusing on her health. As actors we can have a one-track mind that only looks for the next big audition, acting classes or finding representation. And we can neglect other areas of our lives. Teresa says this accident was a wake up call for her to slow down, and put her health first. She took a break from acting to focus on starting a family and it wasn't easy. Most actors are so driven, that "making it" is all we can think of. So to be forced to take a step back is sometimes the only way we can see life's bigger picture. We also talk about the state of theater in LA. Are people still going to see shows (other than improv)? Are actors able to dedicated 6 night a week to a show that may only be seen by a dozen people? That's the heartbreaking reality of non-equity theater in LA. We spent so much time preparing for our show and, while there were some great audiences, most of the time the house was less than full. So is it worth it?  For actors who just want to act, the answer is always yes. I'm so grateful that Teresa Reilly shared her story with me. And I can't wait for her to meet her new baby (which I hope she names Heather!). You can follow this inspiring mama on her new journey on her Instagram @teresaclaire.

I've watched Katrina Law for years on the hit CW show "Arrow" and now I can't believe she's on my podcast. I'm getting total cool wife points on this one!  She played Nyssa al Ghul, a former high ranking member of The League of Assassins. My deep track nerds will appreciate just how cool this is. Internationally, she is also well known for starring as Mira on the critically acclaimed STARZ series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” and “Spartacus: Vengeance.”   Fast forward a few years and Katrina just joined season 10 of "Hawaii 5-0" and is already kicking butt on, and off screen. I was so thrilled to talk to her while she was on a break from filming in Hawaii. Not only is she a badass in her new role as Quinn Liu, but she's also mom to an almost one-year-old baby girl named Kinley. She took a break from filming to chat with me about the challenges and joys of being a new mom while stepping into a new role on a popular show. "Hawaii 5-0" has been on for 10 seasons and has a well established fanbase. For some actors that would be intimidating. But Katrina says she's grateful for the opportunity and jumped right in. While she has a history of playing tough characters with a mastery of fight scenes, she tells me she didn't start off wanting to be an action star. It's something that she fell into and as it turns out, she's really great at it. Watching her in action makes me think I should try harder next time I'm at the gym. Another role she says she never envisioned for herself is the role of mom. Like me, she wasn't sure she wanted to have kids. So she waited until she felt the time was right and as it turns out, she's really great at that too.  We talked about how she manages her day-to-day routine with being on set for long hours and missing her daughter. Like most moms, actors miss their kids when they're at work. It's not just fun and games while you're on set. It's a job. And it's nice to have family to go home to. She says her parents and husband Keith Andreen have been integral to her support system so she can work while they take care of her daughter. BTW, while researching this post I found out that Keith is also from Tulsa! Yay! His Instagram is also amazing so you should check that out. And while you're at it, check out this episode! I loved Katrina's honest and sense of humor about married life, motherhood and being a working actor in Hollywood. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @KatrinaLaw and watch for her in "Hawaii 5-0" on CBS.  

Heads up! Real talk ahead. My friend Erin Ziering stopped by to be on my podcast! I wanted to talk about her new show on the Tellie App, but we quickly got sidetracked on a bunch of topics that have been top of mind lately. In LA there seems to be an abundance of fabulous events. Every week someone is having a party, hosting a panel, screening, unveiling, brunch or meet and greet. Honestly, it's overwhelming sometimes but we go because we want to network and support our friends. That's what's important! But a lot of mom influencers/bloggers feel the pressure to attend ALL of these events, usually without getting paid, to promote whatever brand is hosting. We are usually offered a few products or free tickets to something in exchange for free social media coverage.  I understand businesses want to have launch parties, or special events - as they should! That's not what this is about. This is about what these events are doing to us as a community. Things get competitive real quick when people feel like they aren't on this invisible "list" for PR companies and brands and their fabulous parties. Some bloggers feel the need to go to every event, pay or not, because they don't want to be left out. I totally get that! On the flip side, there's FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out! Erin talks about hosting an event recently then getting a ton of messages from people who were upset at not being invited. The feeling of not being included is so hard to process that people get upset or feel less-than when they don't get invited.  Trust me, I have felt the FOMO many times before. It sucks when you see people seemingly having a blast and you weren't invited. It's hard not to be jealous, or angry when you're not included in a good time.  Keep in mind, social media is usually just the highlight reel. No one shows you the part where their kid threw a fit at the party, or they broke a heel, or spilled In and Out burger on their shirt (true story). The thing is, events, brands, and people shouldn't define you and what you bring to this space! Should I say it again for the people in the back? Going to events and feeling "popular" feels great on the surface. But ask yourself, why am I sharing my life online in the first place? Why do I go to movie screenings or blogger junkets, or the latest candle release party? Is it to feel popular? Create engaging content? Support a friend? Connect with a brand? Maybe you connect with all of these reasons. Either way, there is  no judgement, or singling anyone out in this episode. Just a couple of friends discussing trends we see and questioning how we can be better, work more effectively with brands and bloggers and grow our own platforms in the process. I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! So don't forget to leave a review on iTunes or in the comments below.

It's rare in this world to find your mom soulmate. Even rarer still, to find her in Hollywood where everyone seems to be looking for the next leg up using people along the way.  Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning clicked right away when their kids became friends in school. They even finish each others sentences and say they would marry each other if they weren't already married. So natch, they started a podcast. They host Women on Top on the Dear Media network. Nothing is off limits with this show. Whether they're interviewing Heather Dubrow or Kristen Chenowith and talking about sex. Or Catherine McCord from Weelicious and talking about sex. You can bet sex, friendships, relationships, mom life will all be topics on the table. I think we talked about herpes within the first 30 seconds when I was on their show (side note: none of us have it!) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock (10227026d)Roxy Manning, Tammin Sursok'Women On Top' podcast launch party, Los Angeles, USA - 02 May 2019Launch party for 'Women On Top' podcast featuring Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning, at STK restaurant in Westwood. You can keep up with Tammin and Roxy on their Instagram @WomenonTopofficial and listen to their podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review for Motherhood in Hollywood and their show as well.  Who is your mom soulmate? Share below!

Hey friends, real talk ahead. I've been podcasting for four years and more than 200 episodes if you include my bonus episodes, which I do. And honestly, I'm burned out. I was watching Marc Maron's show recent and realized he has been podcasting for 10 years this  month and has over a thousand episodes. Holy crap that's a lot of talking. And I realized I don't know if I will make it to a thousand, or even five hundred. I'm burned out. I have too many irons in the fire right now and each one is taking up a lot of my attention and offering new and exciting opportunities. The reason I started MIH was to meet other actors and moms in my community. But now my acting career has been pushed into the back burner because so many other things are getting priority. Am I still an actor? Technically yes. Do I still act? No. Not for years. It's time to start making some decisions and changes around the future of MIH and my career in entertainment. I never thought I'd be a reporter again, and yet here I am breaking boundaries as the first plus size digital entertainment reporter at NBC LA. I love my job, but it's a lot of work. I love my podcast, but it's also a lot of work. As is creating content for social media, and all of the things that come with it. I also want to still be an active participant in parenting Chan and it feels like my work and business are overshadowing that. I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel and I don't know why I can't get off or change directions. I just keep running and eventually something is going to give. It might be the podcast. Or it might be something else. Lord knows Chris has has heard me talk about this a lot lately and I'm sure he' like me to make a decision LOL  This rant doesn't mean that I'm unhappy with the amazing things that have come my way and opportunities that have come up. I'm still amazing at the things we get asked to do or be involved with. I just need to make a decision and rip off the bandaid. I go into detail about what's going on in this episode and I hope you enjoy it and know you're not alone if you're struggling with following your dreams, even if they are evolving. What does your dream job and career look like these days? Thinking of making any changes? I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review for my podcast. It would mean a lot!

Halle Stanford, President of Television for The Jim Henson Company (PRNewsfoto/The Jim Henson Company) Three years ago I was lucky enough to be invited onto the Jim Henson Studios lot in Hollywood to interview executive producer Halle Stanford. Little did I know then how much of an impact she would have on my life. We hit it off immediately because Halle's joy is contagious and she genuinely loves what she does, just like me! Peter Brooke, Creative Supervisor of the Jim Henson Creature Shop and Aughra.   She introduced me to several puppeteers who were working on "Splash and Bubbles" while I was there. It was so cool to see how Henson Co. incorporates new technology with the classic art form of puppeteering. A few months later she also connected me with the incredible creators of Indie Shakes - LA's Independent Shakespeare Festival. I had no idea such a thing existed in LA. Now I look forward to every summer because it means I can support them and go see their shows. And one of the coolest things Halle did was take me to the Jim Henson Creature Shop to see the puppets from Netflix's "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance." For several hours I walked through each area where artists were molding, shaping, painting, and crafting each character from the show. I took dozens of pictures of the process which I recently shared on NBC LA along with a live look inside the Shop. I've been holding onto these pictures for 2 years and I am so excited to finally share them! Which leads me to now. I got to sit down with Halle again to talk about this brilliant show she's been working on for years, long before I got a sneak peek. She took time out of her busy show promotion schedule to sit down with me and talk about the powerful female characters in "Age of Resistance." We also talked about how Henson Company and Netflix worked together to maintain Jim Henson and Frank Oz' original vision while using modern technology. "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" is streaming now on Netflix and fans have been very vocal in their support of the show. Some are already calling for a season two. Listen to this episode to find out what Halle has to say about that possibility. And you can follow the Jim Henson Company on Facebook and Instagram to see what other projects they are working on next.

When you find a comedy soulmate you grab ahold of them and never let go. Or at least start a podcast with them. That's what LA actors and comedians Betsy Stover and Amanda Allan did when they started the Why Mommy Drinks podcast. It's a funny, relatable and honest look at the parenting moments that drive us to drink. That being said, they don't do a lot of drinking or talking about drinking on the show. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't grab a glass of vino and enjoy it anyway. Betsy and Amanda have been friends for a very long time. They met in the UCB improv scene in New York and eventually made their way to LA. We talk about the improv scene here and the importance of UCB where Betsy regularly teaches class. Amanda is crushing it in the voice over world and is contemplating returning to acting in front of the camera. It's not an easy decision. These ladies have 3 kids each so you can imagine they have a lot of fun stories to tell. I invited them on because I love hearing stories about how moms are making it work in this business. I think you'll love their take on improv, NY vs LA actors, and when you've had enough. Of acting, not drinking. We can never have enough drinking. You can listen to Why Mommy Drinks on any podcast player and follow them on Instagram at Why Mommy Drinks. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

It's happened to every parent at least once, you turn around at the store, movies or mall and your kid disappears in seconds. Your heart races as your mind quickly runs through all of the horrible scenarios. Then you find the stinker hiding in a clothing rack because they think you're playing hide and seek. Can you tell this has happened to me? It's also happened to moms Ellie Kanner and Lisa Solomon who have created The Game Plan Game. It's a board game designed to teach kids life lessons as they grow and gain more independence. Ellie and Lisa say the goals is not to create fear, but empower parents and kids to get a plan in place should an emergency arrive. "From memorizing important phone numbers to ensuring no one touches them inappropriately.  Children can learn safety information, good manners and social skills by playing The Game Plan Game.  Knowledge is power and the more confidence and tools children have to handle challenging situations, the better." Both moms have a long history in the entertainment and news business so you know I was all about hearing their story. Ellie started as an agent, then went into casting where she cast the pilot of "Friends," "Sex and the City", and "Drew Carey." From there she realized her true passion of working with actors on a set as a director. So she took the leap and started directing plays, episodic television, and feature films. Her most recent film was a Hallmark movie called "Love and Sunshine" starring Danica McKellar and Mark Deklin. Lisa is the Regional Manager for Los Angeles at Common Sense Media, the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. She also worked at Nightline, CNBC, and CNN and is a huge news nerd like I am. She and Ellie say they met in preschool and connect right away. They began talking about ways they could re-enforce safety information with their kids and thought a board game would be a great way to bring the whole family together. And after a year of development, they are now selling The Game Plan Game on Amazon and their website, gameplangame.com.  Visit their website to find out how to play the game and you can also follow them on Facebook to see some of the big stars who believe in their game, and their mission. Ellie Kanner with Richard Branson Thanks for listening to Motherhood in Hollywood! Don't forget to subscribe to my show and leave a review!

Latin talent manager Isabel Echeverry had a vision many years ago while working at ICM to help Latinos make it in Hollywood. She has a self-described gift of connecting people and lifting them up. Cut to 10 years later and her vision is now a reality. Echeverry founded Kontakto and now represents some of Hollywoods top Latin actors and entertainment companies. Kontakto represents Emmy Award winner Sandra Vidal (Rica, Famosa, Latina), Vivian Lamolli (Warner Studios’ The Latin From Manhattan and Hulu's original East Los High), Eddie Martinez (Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico), Gabriel Tarantin (EL Baron on NBC/Telemundo), Natasha Perez (HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm), Mario Ponce (Mi Tu’s Cholo World), and Briana Roy (Reclaim, Recovery Road) just to name a few. Echeverry dropped by the MIH studio where she patiently waited for me to address some technical issues so we could begin our interview. And I'm so glad she did because our conversation was lively and full of great advice for latinos and non-latinos in the industry. Actors will appreciate this conversation the most because generously gave me advice on getting out of a non-booking rut that I think everyone will appreciate. It's not often you get to hear inside tips on auditioning, and industry trends straight from a manager who's in the thick of it. It's her generous spirit that has also helped her company grow. Kontakto currently has two films in pre-production, Bella and Aura.  The thriller feature film, Bella is produced by The Conjuring creators/producers Carey & Chad Hayes and Miles Hardy. Director Dylan Hayes is attached and the film is being packaged by CAA and slated to release in 2020.  Echeverry’s novel titled “Being Bella: Three Times Cursed" will be published simultaneously with the release of the film. Horror flick Aura is produced by Lucidity Entertainment and helmed by UTA’s James Moran. The much-anticipated films are also produced under the Kontakto slate and will star some of Hollywood’s top-tier talent.  In May 2019, it developed and produced True Exorcisms, a television documentary series which was an official selection at NATPE’s Omni Cultural Television Festival at the Egyptian Theatre. And she's risen to prominence as a latin talent manager while being a mom of three. She started her company 10 years ago just months after giving birth. She says her husband was instrumental in helping her succeed by helping at home and with the business. He is now her partner in all things Kontakto as well. Even though there is a lot on her plate and her company is growing, she tells me she still has plenty of big ideas for her clients and this business. And I for one will definitley be cheering her on. You can find out more information about Kontakto Isabel Echeverry at kontaktoreps.com.

Sometimes you get just a feeling about someone when you meet them. Like they are down-to-earth and would make a great friend. That's what I felt when I met Courtney Lopez, wife of host and actor Mario Lopez. We were introduced through our mutual friend Erin Ziering at a taping of Erin's talk show and immediately clicked. I was surprised and delighted to find out just how much we have in common. Courtney used to perform on Broadway as an actress and dancer and eventually made her way to LA. She met Mario while they were both starring in A Chorus Line and they had an instant connection. Now many moons later they have two kids and a third on the way. And even though she is due any minute now, she took time out to be a guest on my show.  We talked about everything from the challenges of living up to the image of a Hollywood wife, to focusing on family instead of a career. I loved her honesty when we talked about being a hands on mom. She doesn't miss the days of running to auditions, or performing in the chorus. She is perfectly content to be a mom and wife who supports her husbands career. Too often we put pressure on ourselves to live up to an expectation of career, family, and looking fabulous while doing it. Sometimes it's okay to just say, I want to focus on my family and that's enough. There's nothing more frustrating than when you're on opposite sides of the coin when it comes to work and family but they aren't.  Courtney says she and Mario are on the same page and it truly makes for a happy home life. And, Courtney and Mario have found a way to work together that fits in with their lives and doesn't compromise family time. They co-host a nationally syndicated radio show called "ON With Mario Lopez" on iHeart Radio. It's really fun to listen to them banter in only the way that a married couple can. You can also keep up with the Lopez' as they become a family of five! Make sure you follow Courtney on her Instagram at @courtneym_lopez. And show her lots of love because she's about to enter the newborn phase again and we all remember what that's like.  Can't wait to meet your new little one and see if it's a boy or girl - they aren't finding out until the big day!

Summer is here! Now what do we wear? Celebrity Stylist and TV Personality Ali Levine is sharing personal style tips for every mom on the go. Ali has shared her work with The New York Times, FabFitFun, and USA Today and now Motherhood in Hollywood! Ali is also a new mom learning to navigate motherhood in and stay true to herself in the process. We started with a topic that's near and dear to my heart....shoes! Ali says this summer it's all about adding height with a summer sandal or wedge. She sent me a couple of examples of what's in for wedges and a more affordable option from Kohl's. SO Taffy Women's Wedge from Kohl'sAlso, thankfully, leggings are in! She recommends a fun geometric pattern with a chill t-shirt. Or simple leggings with an oversized sweater. Ali says a fun geometric legging is fun for summer! And my personal favorite is a cute short dress with leggings underneath.  I would wear something like that everyday if I could!   Ali shares a lot more tips in this episode so make sure you listen! She also has her own podcast where she shares what it's been like being a fashionable mama. It's called Striptd Down and is available on iTunes or her website, alilevine.com

Meg Weidner is an actress who became a mom and was struggling with feeling like a failure. Raise your hand if you've been there? *raises hand* She joins me on the show to talk about the film she created and stars in called "Best Mom." The film follows Addy in her quest to be the best mom for her daughter. But as it turns out, that's impossible. So in a last ditch effort to connect with her child, she joins an improv group and discovers the joy of failing up. What does that mean? You can watch "Best Mom"  AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, DISH, Sling TV, Vubiquity, XBOX, Vudu, Fandango NOW to find out. Honestly I could have talked to Meg all day. She is so supportive and complimentary. It made me feel like the best mom in the world! Although Chan quickly brings me back to reality. I think this is a story that will resonate with a lot of women who often feel like they are failing at motherhood in some way. We are not perfect and we shouldn't expect to be. Let's all stop putting pressure on ourselves to be the best and embrace our imperfections. "Best Mom" also stars Donna Mills, Krista Allen, Jilon Vanover and Violet Hicks. Take a moment to support indie filmmakers and fellow moms by watch her movie! You can learn more about this award-winning film at BestMomFilm.com.

Like millions of people around the world I was disappointed with the ending to Game of Thrones. Not enough to sign a petition or cancel my HBO. But enough that it's been keeping me up at night. I've been running the story lines around in my head about what could have been, or should have been. It doesn't help that I look at Twitter to see what other fans are feeling and seeing all of fan theories being shared that make a lot of sense. So when my friend Lara Scott from K-EARTH 101 invited me to her studio to air our grievances about the final season and final episode I jumped at the chance. Not just to go talk with her about one of my favorite shows, but to see the inside of her radio station. It's been 20 years since I worked in radio and I wanted to see how much has changed. And let me tell you, not much has! Things are more digital now, but the basics of DJ and mic, tossing to songs, hitting your post... all of that is the same. Radio is a classic form of entertainment and it's good to see that it's still going strong. While I was in the studio at Radio.com, I bumped into my friend Allie MacKay who's on the Kevin and Bean morning show at KROQ. We used to work together at KTLA and had a brief moment of bonding when we realized we didn't have to work there anymore. Yay! I love the  people at KTLA (most of them) but it was a sweat shop. I worked my butt off, often not having time for a potty break or snack break, because the amount of news they put on the air is ridiculous. Anyway, it was great to see Allie! But on to Game of Thrones and the wrap/recap I did with Lara. I loved sharing our fan theories and scene breakdowns because she's as a big of a fan as I am. You have to listen to this episode and tell me if you agree with our assessment of the finale and what you would have done differently. Or if you're over it. I'm almost there. Almost... You can also listen to Lara middays on K-EARTH 101 or on Radio.com and follower her on Instagram @larascottmedia.

I was telling my friend Heather the other day that I interviewed Jamie Denbo who created a show all about the Ren Faire. Her reaction, like mine, was...FINALLY! Why hasn't this subject been explored and put on display for all to see before? Denbo created "American Princess" which airs on Lifetime on June 2nd. I invited her to tell me about this show and how she became an actress, producer and top improviser. Denbo came to Hollywood in a unique way. She didn't train a traditional top acting school or have famous parents. She got a taste of theater and performing after a random audition for the Ren Faire. She says she was hooked on a life of immersing herself in other characters ever since. After a short stint at Disney World, she found her way to New York and trained under the original UCB founders - Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts. She found the experience of doing improv in New York strangely competitive at the time, unlike it is now. But she learned the UCB style and brought it to LA, launching the UCB Los Angeles theater and school. During that time she created her most well-known character, Beverly Ginsberg of "Ronna & Beverly" -  a cult alt comedy act that was a live show, TV show and podcast (with guests like Jon Hamm, Connie Britton, Michael Strahan, Bob Odenkirk, Jack Black, Leslie Grossman, Paul Feig, Ben Platt, Will Arnett, Michael Bolton, etc.). She played Beverly for 12 years while also appearing in guest star roles on the biggest shows on TV. She has had recurring roles on “Orange is the New Black”, “The Good Place”, “F is for Family”, “Speechless”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Despite all of her success, like many actors, she felt unfulfilled in some ways waiting for an audition to get a small part on a TV show. She says found joy and a sense of control in creating her own shows and projects. For many years she wanted to tell the stories of the colorful characters who live and breath the Ren Faire life and finally had the chance to do it. "American Princess" tells the story of an American socialite who joins a Renaissance Faire after her wedding goes awry, only to discover there’s a lot more to life than she once thought. When Amanda (Georgia Flood), an Upper East Side socialite, runs away from her own dream wedding, she realizes that the life she thought she wanted wasn’t actually right after all. After impulsively joining a Renaissance Faire, Amanda experiences an unexpected awakening that leads her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about the pursuit of happiness. She quickly develops new friendships, rivalries and romances that, much to the confusion of her family, opens her eyes to new beginnings. Not only does "American Princess" have Denbo's sense of humor and great character development skills, but it's also being executive produced by Jenji Kohan ("OITNB", "Weeds") so it's comedy pedigree solid. Denbo is also a mom of 2 but to be honest, we didn't get to talk about motherhood much in this episode because we were diving in deep about the world of improv, Disney, Ren Faires and making television. Listen to this episode to hear the rest of Denbo's story and watch "American Princess" on Lifetime Sunday, June 2 at 10 pm ET/PT.

Still feeling very inspired after this conversation with Katie Locke O'Brien. She, like many, moved out to Hollywood to be an actress. But in recent years she's found creative outlets in other areas of entertainment. She applied for the inaugural NBC Diversity and Inclusion Female Forward program, was accepted and recently directed an episode of AP Bio on NBC called "Melvin." All within in the last 2 years! Katie Locke O'Brien directing Christopher Lloyd on the set of AP Bio But it all started with an idea to share her story of motherhood when she became a first time mom. Her short film "Have It All" takes a look at motherhood through a very honest lens. I loved that Katie didn't sugar coat motherhood, but she also doesn't show the mom tropes that Hollywood loves to revisit again and again. We are not all a hot mess who can't seem to get a bath and get our kids out the door or change a diaper without smearing poop on our face. That's a side of motherhood I don't relate to and neither does Katie. So she set out to make her own version of motherhood and show it to the world (sound familiar?) and I loved it. Katie has a wonderful story of motherhood in Hollywood that involves her TV writer husband, her new found love of directing, and the strange yet wonderful direction her career is going in. She is now a member of the Directors Guild and exploring new projects to direct while still being a kickass, drama free, mama. Follower her on Instagram to see where her story goes next and don't forget to leave a review on this episode!

I don't know why I'm still surprised, but every week when I interview someone new I get another mom crush. Lara Scott is no exception. She is a bright light and I'm mad that I didn't meet her sooner. She is so easy to talk to and a great listener, both are qualities that make her an outstanding radio host for K-EARTH 101. Lara got started in radio at the age of 17 in Bend, Or. She and a friend thought the local morning DJ sounded cute (I can relate), so her friend dared her to call the station. She wound up asking if they were hiring and got a job. If all jobs were just that easy! Cut to many moons later and she is the midday jockey at K-Earth 101, the top radio station in LA. I had the pleasure of co-hosting a special sneak preview of the movie "Wonder Park" with Lara and K-Earth and was so struck by her kindness. We have been exchanging messages on social media for months so it was a thrill to finally hang out with her in person. She tells me how becoming a mom changed her outlook on her career, and how accommodating her employer was when she was pregnant. If only more would be that amazing! We bonded over mom life in the entertainment business and realized we have a ton of things in common. You'll have to listen to find out just how similar we are! You can follow Lara and her adventures as a radio DJ, Disney fan and mama on her Instagram @LaraScottmedia.  

When it was announced that Will and Grace was coming back, no one was more excited and surprised than my friend Amy Crofoot. Amy was a stand in for Debra Messing during the first run of the series and was invited to come back and share her talents for the second run. At first it was only going to be for a limited run, but the show was so popular NBC greenlit it for more episodes. Amy had no idea that by saying yes it would quickly expand into several seasons worth of work. I have known Amy for nearly a decade and she was the second guest on Motherhood in Hollywood. I chose her because she's an amazing person and friend. But she was also the only person I knew with kids in the industry and had graciously shared her knowledge and experiences with me. I remember I was super pregnant and would go over to her house to ask her advice on everything from giving birth to wiping butts. She was a wealth of information and was my first example of why moms NEED other moms in this business to support each other. On paper, Amy and I should be competitors. We are both tall, curvy redheads with perfect comedy timing. However, her kindness forced me to put my weird competitive side away and just enjoy being her friend. We used to see each other at casting workshops and auditions and rather than being enemies, we became friends. Now this beauty is sharing how her life has been as a mom of 2 boys while working on a hit NBC sitcom. She explains what exactly a stand in does and how her role was expanded this season to dialogue coach. She is actively learning her craft on a set with huge stars as her teachers. Then she comes home to her babies and gets to enjoy the fruits of mom life. Jim Burrows and the Will and Grace team love her so much, they even wrote a part for her in the season finale this season. You have to check her out!   This is what Motherhood in Hollywood is all about. Amy was a huge part of my podcast when I began and I'm so honored to have her come back on and share how her life has changed in the last 4 years, what she's learned on set, and as a mom. Don't forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood and leave a review of this episode!

I have a new mom friend! Her name is Beth Bowen and we were destined to meet. I first heard about Beth from my friend Stefanie Fair when she was on my podcast a few years ago. Stefanie suggested I reach out to Beth at that time to have her on my show but I dropped the ball and it fell through the cracks. Cut to a year and a half later and Beth and I were invited to speak on a panel at Influential Summit in Carlsbad where we bonded over our love/hate relationship with social media and the entertainment industry. Beth came to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. She had success but ultimately ended up marrying someone she thought was her prince charming and leaving it all behind. More than a decade later she found herself missing something inside that many women think is over when they become moms: her career. I've said this a thousand times on this show and I'll say it again: wanting a career and being a mom do not have to be mutually exclusive. It's okay to want to work and build a business or life outside of the home in the same way that it's okay NOT to want to pursue a career and be a homemaker instead. Both are perfectly normal and healthy options and we should support our friends and the women in our lives no matter what they choose. While exploring her options to return to showbiz, Beth was introduced to Jill Spivack from Sleepy Planet. Jill was working on a show for Bravo called "There Goes The Motherhood" about a support group for moms. Well, you know if it's Bravo there will be drama no matter how well-intentioned the women on the show are. Beth talks about how she feels the producers really set her up to fail in some ways and pitted cast members against each other. Does this sound like something Bravo would do? Any Housewives fans know exactly what we're talking about. You'll have to listen to this episode to get the full dish on working in reality TV and why she thinks her show was cancelled after one season. A painting called "The End" by Beth Bowen Now Beth is a divorced, single mom of four who's trying to reinvent herself while pursuing her passion. These days you can find her in her art studio creating and painting and finding success. She was just asked to show her art at the Contemporary Art Fair in Carrousel du Louvre Paris during the Cannes Film Festival which is a huge honor. She says sharing something so personal can be a challenge, but not as challenging as being a Bravo star. You can follow Beth Bowen on her personal Instagram and her Instagram art feed as well.

I can't even imagine the balls it took for Jamie Otis and Dough Hehner to get married at first sight. But that's exactly what they did! They were on the first season of the hit Lifetime show "Married at First Sight" and are coming up on their 5th wedding anniversary. In the last 5 years they've faced challenges just like every newlywed couples do, but they did it under the watchful public eye. And from what I can tell, a lot of people are rooting for them to make it! So I was very excited to talk with them and get some scoop on how they make it work. If Jamie looks familiar outside of MAFS, it's because she was a contestant on the 16th season of The Bachelor and the spin of The Bachelor Pad. She explains how her time on those shows changed her outlook on love and sent her right into the arms of Married at First Sight. That's where she went through weeks of what I called pre-marriage counseling and high-level matchmaking and was paired with Doug Hehner to get married. You can read more about her story on their website, and hear what she says happened next and why she wanted to do that show in this episode. Credit: Jamie Otis/Instagram In the last 5 years Doug and Jamie also started a podcast called Hot Marriage, Cool Parents where they talk about their unusual coupling and the joys of parenthood. I love how raw and honest they are about their journey and I know you will too. Listen to this episode on iTunes and don't forget to leave a review! And while you're there make sure you subscribe to their podcast as well and you can listen to the interview they did with me!

How many of you saw your marriage change in some way after having kids? It may not necessarily mean a negative shift but everyone's life changes when kids come into the picture. This week I'm talking to NYT bestselling author Jancee Dunn about her book How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids. She's sharing her humorous look at how her marriage changed when her daughter was born. We all would like to think we are highly evolved, and enlightened creatures these days. But no matter how enlightened you are, when you throw a baby bomb into a marriage crazy shit happens. I look back on the days after Channing was born and think, that wasn't so bad. But in the months, and years after, there has been a lot of WTF moments that we weren't expecting. Honestly, Chris and I don't fight, and never have. But when Channing came along, it really challenged us and our marriage. I think we navigated it pretty well and with humor, which is something Dunn says is key. Listen to this episode to hear how she and her husband navigated the new waters of parenting and came out the other side. You can find her book online as well as her other books including a book for children called I’m Afraid Your Teddy Is In Trouble Today, an essay collection that was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

My friend Erin Cardillo is on the show this week talking about her new movie, and first movie, "Isn't it Romantic." She first started writing this movie 9 years ago. Nine years! And it's now hitting theaters. Let this serve as a lesson in not giving up on your dreams. Erin and her writing partner Rich Keith have been on my show before talking about their TV projects. They are a very successful writing duo and are currently working on several shows right now. I have offered to sleep with them if they will put me in their shows, but so far they haven't taken me up on my offer. What I love about them is their sense of humor. It's clever and thoughtful and they really go the extra mile to nail a joke. And I think you'll see that same sense of humor come through in Erin's film as well. When you listen to this interview you'll hear how she says the movie went from her original idea, to New Line, to the hands of very skilled touch up writers, then eventually into the hands of Rebel Wilson, who also stars in and produces the film. "Isn't it Romantic" is a rom com that doesn't take itself too seriously which is exactly what makes it great. Every romantic comedy in the last several decades has relied on certain tropes that make it fall into the rom com category. This film sees those cheesy moments, and blows them up into a hilarious, romp that never let the audience forget we're all in on the joke.Rebel plays Natalie, a rom com hater who through an awkward encounter with a potential suitor, bumps her head and finds herself in the middle of a very corny rom com. We get to follow her journey as she resists the silly situation she's found herself in, and ultimately discovers who her true love is. The best part? It's not all who you think it will be. Adam Devine plays her best friend/unrequited love in the office. He and Rebel have an adorable chemistry that fans have been on board with since the Pitch Perfect movies. Adding into the mix the hilarious Liam Hemsworth and Priyanka Chopra and you have a delightful mix of real and fantasy love interests. "Isn't it Romantic" hits theaters on Valentine's Day. It stars Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine, Liam Hemsworth, Priyanka Chopra, Betty Gilpin and Brandon Scott Jones. It was directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson.

I will watch any version of Big Brother, celebrity or otherwise. Even if the cast is a little lackluster I will always try to find something redeeming. Hey, at least the competitions are fun? But this season of Celebrity Big Brother feels like it's missing something. So I invited my girl Kate Casey from Reality Life with Kate Casey to be on my show and help me figure out what's up with CBB. This year the cast is Anthony Scaramucci, Dina Lohan, Ryan Lochte, Tom Green, Kato Kaelin, Natalie Eva Marie, Lolo Jones, Joey Lawrence, Kandi Burruss, Ricky Williams, Tamar Braxton, and Jonathan Bennett. If you've been following along you know Jonathan and Ryan have been voted out already. And Scaramucci, "the Mooch", was a fake houseguest and only in the house for about a week. Kate told me that she initially though Scaramucci would win but the producers pulled a fast one and he was never an official houseguest. Nice move CBB! But with Mooch gone, and the two hot guys, WTF is left? A whole lot of boring. Tamar is trying to bring the drama but no one is really matching her level intensity so she just ends up looking a little cray cray. And on the first day in the house, Joey Lawerence said he doesn't want to be in an alliance. So what are you doing in there then man?? Honestly it feels like none of these "big fans" of Big Brother have even watched Big Brother. No one is strategizing, at least not that I can tell. It's a very confusing season so far and I'm really hoping it gets better. I'll still watch even if it doesn't, but I'm still hoping. Kate and I chat about everything from what happened to Joey Lawrence's face (why is no one talking about this??) to why she thinks Ricky Williams will win it all. I'm personally rooting for Kandi because she's been on my podcast and is a total #momboss. But I have a feeling Tom Green could win. He does seem to be one of the only houseguests with knowledge of how the game works. And he's so nice (Canadian) that he might fly under the radar and make it until the end. They only have to survive for 3 weeks, versus the usual 3 months during a regular non-celeb season. If you can't make it in a house with celebrities for 3 weeks then maybe Hollywood isn't for you. Who do you think is going to win?

Have you been watching YouTube's original programming? If so then you've undoubtedly seen the work of my friend Danny Zaccagnino. He's the Head of Casting and Talent for YouTube Originals and has the inside track on the future of streaming content. Ralph Macchio with Danny Zaccagnino. Actors, listen up. Not only is he sharing what goes on when they are casting a new show, but he talks about the "list", what happens in the room before you come in and when you leave, and why you may not have gotten that part you were so perfect for. I can't count the number of times I've driven away from an audition thinking, I totally nailed it only to realize a few days later that I didn't get it. Actors get so caught up in what we're wearing, how we look, and emphasizing certain words in an audition but the truth is, so much of casting has nothing to do with any of those things. Danny used to be an actor himself, and a very talented one at that. He tells me about how he found his way into casting at MTV and worked his way up the ranks. Several years ago he jumped to YouTube and has never looked back. He's seen countless auditions, and is very aware of up and coming talent, not just on YouTube, but in other areas as well. YouTube Originals isn't just casting YouTube stars so don't run out and by a video camera just yet. They are also casting traditional, trained actors who can bring some gravitas to their shows and mingling them with YouTubers who have a large following. Sounds pretty smart if you ask me. Chris and I have been loving the new YouTube Originals show called Impulse. It's a fascinating jumper-style shows that centers around high schoolers and definitely worth your time if you haven't seen it yet. Another YouTube Originals hit? Cobra Kai. Yes the Cobra Kai from Karate Kid! It's a sequel of sorts that continues the story of Danny and Johnny 30 years later. It was a huge hit for YouTube with a second season filming right now. The streaming service is diving into drama, comedy, documentary and more right on your desktop and apps on streaming boxes. We actually watch it through an app on our TV which makes it even more convenient. And Danny tells me about a few more projects that are in the works so make sure you listen to this episode for a sneak peek. For more information about Danny and what's happening at YouTube Originals make sure you follow him on Twitter @dannyzacc.   And don't forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

I first met Katie Rosen Kitchens on my dream trip to Disney Aulani. Our girls instantly became friends and I got to know Katie as the incredible force behind FabFitFun. I've worked with FFF as an influencer for the past few months and really grown to love their brand, products and what they stand for. FabFitFun co-founders  And after talking to Katie I understand why so many people are drawn to it. In fact so many people love it that they just celebrated a huge milestone. FabFitFun now has more than one million subscribers and made more than $200 million dollars. That's an incredible feat for a company that just started a little over 5 years ago. Goals people. Goals. Even though Katie owns one of the hottest companies on the planet right now, she is incredibly grounded and focused on her family. She is married with 2 darling little girls yet manages to run a company that is beyond hip and not generally associated with motherhood. If only that 22 year old using the foaming sheet mask new her box was curated by a mom! See kids? Moms can be cool! Katie talks about how she came up with the idea for FabFitFun, how it grew into the multi-million dollar business it is today, how influencer marketing helped, and what's next for her brand. FFF just launched FabFitFun TV and is creating content on their platforms that go beyond beauty brands and into topics that a lot of people will be interested in. She also plans to roll out a Men's FFF box to subscribers which Chris got a sneak peek of. Right now it's only available as an add on and it's fabulous.  Visit fabfitfun.com for more information about this subscription box and follow Katie on her personal IG page to keep up with her very busy, mom hustling, fabulous life.