Podcasts about juilliard

In this week's inspiring episode, I'm joined by Brooklyn-based creative leader and founder of Dance Device Lab, Brandon Cournay. From his unexpected start in a small-town Michigan dance studio to earning a spot at Juilliard and building a career as a professional dancer, choreographer, rehearsal director, executive director and business owner, Brandon shares his multifaceted journey through the dance world.Key “Pointes” in this Episode

Andrea DeMarcus, a classically trained bassist and Juilliard grad. She returned to Georgia to do some self- help searching, being unsure and questioning her songwriting. So she left NY to head back to the place she felt would be best to take this reflection. Dave Kirslis, a self-taught guitarist riding freight trains in search of inspiration, met Andrea by chance. Though their first impression was awkward, they discovered not only a shared vision for music, but life together and soon married. They formed Cicada Rhythm, blending folk, rock, and Americana with harmonies and instrumentation that reflected their unique partnership. In 2011, they put out their first 4 song CD, “Fate in a Jar,” that was basically used for demo purposes. It began a procession of recording. In 2015, Drew Vandenberg (Drive-By Truckers, Of Montreal and Kishi Bashi) recorded two tracks “Do Not Destroy” and “Wait Til Morning.” Titled Two Wings - Live from Mt Zion Church, an historical 200 – year church in Sparta, GA. They released a self -titled album In October of 2015 that brought us a great collaboration with many musicians and songs that could fill your heart and soul. With “Everywhere I go,” released in April of 2018 Andrea and Dave brought us the unique menu of songs recorded in different studios, houses and any other place they laid down their instruments down as they toured and traveled. Their latest album, “Magic State” released in May of 2025, brought us a bit more mysticism with lyrics that might let you in to some of their struggles and some of their victories. It is yet another beautiful light of music from Andrea and Dave. Here is me with Andrea DeMarcus and Dave Kirslis. AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and ThenSEASON: 4. EPISODE: 43LENGTH: 1:20PUBLISHED: 07/08/2025DEDICATED TO PUBLISH WEEKLY ON THURSDAY'S WHEN POSSIBLE. ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVERRECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOLhttps://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)Produced by The Lightroom-AthPhotos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza and Lucca FagundesExecutive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy MuñizCONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:Email: marlene@athcastmusic.comInstagram: AthCastMusicYouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! PLEASE CONSIDER REVIEWING, FOLLOWING US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC AND SHARING WITH YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON'T LISTEN, YOU CAN'T HEAR.”

Oscar Isaac is an actor who's no stranger to epic movie franchises. Born in Guatemala, Oscar knows from an early age that he wants to do something creative. After landing on acting, he graduates from Juilliard, one of the country's most prestigious acting conservatories. From here - Oscar is off and running. The “Star Wars” and “Dune” actor has made a name for himself thanks to knockout performances in “Inside Llewyn Davis” and “Scenes from a Marriage.” Unsurprisingly, Oscar's staying booked and busy. And we know that this is just the beginning from one of Hollywood's reigning leading men.You can follow Brooke and Aricia on socials at @brookesiffrinn and @ariciaskidmorewilliamss. And check out the brand new Even the Rich merch store at www.eventherich.com.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-rich/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Dance Movie August, y'all, and Paul & Erika are high-kicking it off like a pair of very short Rockettes with a discussion of 2001's Save The Last Dance! Along the way, they'll discuss chairs, couches, abandoned furniture stores, and, of course, the proper spelling of “Juilliard.” Lots of EECC-content dead ahead!You can follow That Aged Well on Bluesky (@ThatAgedWell.bsky.social), Instagram (@ThatAgedWell), and Threads (@ThatAgedWell)!SUPPORT US ON PATREON FOR BONUS CONTENT!THAT AGED WELL MERCH!Wanna rate and review? HERE YOU GO!Hosts: Paul Caiola & Erika VillalbaProducer & Editor: Paul Caiola

Is everybody ready to cut Footloose? Because we've choreographed this episode of Baconsale to be all about famous dance scenes in film. And will Joel, Kent, and Zack be singin' (in the rain) and dancing as they share their picks for such categories as Always Puts a Smile on My Face, Best Solo Dance Number, I Could Totally Do That, Memorable for the Wrong Reasons, and Hall of Fame? Bet on it. We've got canned heat in our heels and we will do our best to paint a picture of each scenario as we're dancing cheek to cheek. So whether you're into tap, ballroom, ballet, swing, modern, or hip-hop, we hope you enjoy our discussion, listener, because we've had the time of our life with this subject.   Press play to let us know if Sara got into Juilliard.    And visit Baconsale.com to find the YouTube playlist of scenes discussed in this episode.

Trumpeter Chris Gekker has done just about everything a brass player can do—and done it at the highest level. A longtime member of the American Brass Quintet (18 years) and now Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maryland, Chris has also taught at Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Columbia University. His career spans recording Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 to sharing the stage with Sting, all grounded by a reflective artistic life shaped by literature and poetry.In Part 1, we talk about the books that feed his imagination, his father and early upbringing, the interpretive world of the Hindemith Sonata, trumpet mentors from Gerard Schwarz to Thomas Stevens, and the winding arc of a career that prizes curiosity over categories.[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, Chris reflects on the transition to full-time teaching at Maryland and takes us deep into his approach to trumpet playing and musicianship—drawing on insights from his writing, especially Trumpet Talk.DoricoProfessional music notation and composition software from Steinberg. Download a free 30-trial today!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more! As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including: Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners. Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students. Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions. The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music! Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely! Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again. Learn more about becoming a Contributing Listener @ anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com!

This year we had the pleasure of hosting two Collider Ladies Night panels at San Diego Comic-Con. The first leaned heavily into the horror genre by putting the spotlight on Dafne Keen, Sophie Nélisse, Alexandra Shipp, Katie Douglas, Hassie Harrison and their upcoming IFC and Shudder titles. Then, the next night, I had the great honor of taking the stage with Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Danielle Pinnock and Marissa Bode to celebrate Peacemaker, The Bad Guys 2, Ghosts and Wicked.Every edition of Collider Ladies Night demands a significant amount of prep work, including these live versions of the show. But, ultimately, the success of a Ladies Night interview comes down to the guests, and with this group, we truly hit the jackpot. Bode, Pinnock, Holland and Brooks all took the stage with a sky-high passion for their current projects, a deep respect for what it took to hit this point in their careers, and an eagerness to celebrate one another.During the panel, Holland recalled first moving to Hollywood as a teenager and her ongoing journey of finding a sense of belonging, Pinnock looked back at her time “scamming” and the day she found out she booked her first series regular role, Brooks discussed why her time at Juilliard teed her up for great success in the superhero genre, and Bode discussed making her feature debut with one of the biggest hits of 2024, Wicked.After that, all four took a moment to look forward to all the good on the horizon - specifically Peacemaker Season 2, Ghosts Season 5 and Wicked: For Good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuck or overwhelmed? Use these three step science backed journaling prompts to gain momentum and emotional resilience so that you can focus on what really matters to you.

On this heartfelt installment of Men of Steel, Case and Jmike are joined by Ryan Luis Rodriguez (One Track Mind, Reels of Justice) to discuss the powerful documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. We reflect on Reeve's legacy as both a performer and a real-life hero, unpack the emotional depth of the film, and celebrate the enduring impact of the Man of Steel. #ChristopherReeve #Superman #SuperManDocumentary #MenOfSteelPod #ReelsOfJustice #OneTrackMind Find Ryan at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-track-mind-with-ryan-luis-rodriguez/id1431611476 and https://www.patreon.com/onetrackmindpodcast Overview Episode 150 of the Men of Steel podcast celebrates hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson's significant milestone, with guest Ryan Luis Rodriguez joining in the discussion. Ryan Luis Rodriguez boasts a 4-0 record on the Reels of Justice podcast, with an upcoming Frozen 2 prosecution case highlighting his expertise. The hosts shared personal memories of the impact of Christopher Reeve's 1995 horseback riding accident, shaping their childhood experiences at ages 9 and 11. A well-edited documentary chronicling Reeve's life compiles 40 years of footage, avoiding melodrama while effectively communicating emotional depth. Christopher Reeve's casting as Superman faced doubts; his physical presence and several life factors contributed to his iconic portrayal of the character. The documentary discusses the deep emotional bond between Reeve and Robin Williams, revealing their supportive friendship nurtured during their Juilliard days. Following Reeve's accident, Dana Reeve emerged as a dedicated caregiver, transforming their tragedy into advocacy for disability rights and research funding. The podcast notes Reeve's advocacy for stem cell research and his collaboration with John Kerry, which marked him as a significant political figure in this area. Reeve's legacy is sustained through the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which continues to advance research funding for spinal injury treatment. New Patreon initiatives were introduced, with gratitude extended to executive producers supporting the Men of Steel podcast and connected shows.   Notes ️ Episode Introduction & Guest Background (00:00 - 04:36) Episode 150 milestone celebration of Men of Steel podcast, marking significant achievement for hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson Ryan Luis Rodriguez joins as guest, known from Reels of Justice podcast where he serves as prosecutor/defender in fake movie court format Ryan's current 4-0 record on Reels of Justice, with upcoming Frozen 2 prosecution case Ryan also hosts One Track Mind podcast focusing on film through audio commentaries, featuring Case as previous guest ‍️ Personal Memories of Christopher Reeve's Accident (06:01 - 08:33) 1995 horseback riding accident deeply impacted all hosts as children - Case was 11, Jmike was 9, Ryan was 9 years old Case recalls watching news coverage at grandparents' house, vivid memories of the media coverage Jmike remembers his mother explaining 'Superman is paralyzed' while he was watching Superman animated series Ryan's emotional reaction as 'very feeling autistic child' to learning Superman would never walk again Documentary Structure & Production Quality (31:52 - 37:15) 40 years of footage compiled into remarkably well-edited documentary that feels like 55 minutes despite being 1 hour 40 minutes Stone Christopher Reeve statue used as visual metaphor throughout, starting pristine then showing cracks from kryptonite after accident No narrator approach - uses interviews with children and friends to weave story together organically Documentary avoids being 'tragedy porn' while still being emotionally impactful Christopher Reeve's Early Life & Career (12:35 - 48:44) Difficult relationship with father Arthur, described as 'douchebag' socialite poet who disapproved of Superman role Juilliard training alongside Robin Williams as roommates, establishing lifelong friendship Superman casting process involved auditioning 'everybody including the casting director's dentist' - Reeve wasn't obvious choice Arrogance during Superman production - some friction with cast/crew, though sources questioned Superman Performance & Legacy (44:37 - 50:09) Transformational acting in famous scene where Clark almost reveals identity to Lois - complete physical and vocal transformation Instinctive banking during first flying scene showed natural acting choices that made role work Height and physical presence key factors, though not initially seen as obvious Superman type ️ Personal Relationships & Family (19:26 - 25:47) First relationship with Gae Exton, mother of his first two children, ended after Superman IV failure Walking away from family after Superman IV disappointment, described as blindsiding them Dana Reeve entered life after separation, not as 'homewrecker' but as supportive partner Strong relationships with theater community including Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels The Accident & Immediate Aftermath (09:56 - 38:42) May 1995 horseback riding accident during equestrian competition, paralyzed from neck down Life-threatening complications including potential suffocation from tubes, intense anxiety in early days Mental health struggles openly discussed, showing fears and adaptation process through rehabilitation ‍️ Dana Reeve's Role & Sacrifice (25:47 - 27:16) Incredible caretaker burden - being sole caregiver to paralyzed person described as 'herculean task' Transformative advocacy work - turned tragedy into hope for disabled community, advanced research funding Death from lung cancer at age 44 despite never smoking, tragically dying shortly after Christopher Will Reeves orphaned - lost both parents, overheard phone call about mother's death while pretending to sleep Advocacy & Political Impact (25:47 - 40:15) 1996 Oscar appearance - standing ovation moment showing his continued cultural influence Stem cell research advocacy - became major political figure, worked with John Kerry on legislation Christopher Reeve Foundation continues work through his children, funding research that has helped people walk again Federal funding advancement for spinal injury research and surgical procedures Robin Williams Connection (16:47 - 16:47) Juilliard roommates and lifelong close friends, surprising depth of relationship revealed Emotional documentary moment - suggestion that 'if Chris was still alive, Robin would be too' Mutual support system throughout both their careers and challenges Superman Film Legacy (22:16 - 47:26) Superman IV personal project - Reeve wrote the story, making its failure particularly devastating Anti-nuclear message in Superman IV, though film was commercial failure Production challenges of original Superman films, including Salkinds' questionable business practices Salkind Clause in actor contracts resulted from producers splitting one movie into two without additional pay Podcast Network Updates (55:58 - 57:26) Patreon launch at patreon.com/certainpovmedia covering Another Pass and Men of Steel productions Executive producers thanked: Carter Hallett, Sean Muir, Lee Greger, Memento Young, Logan Crowley, Joe Mastropiero, Nancy and Casey Aiken, Adam Samtur, Keith Lehtinen New network shows: Long Live the Legion (Legion of Superheroes podcast) and We Have Issues (Keith Lehtinen's show)

Journaling literally reshapes your brain!

Michael's conversation from deep in the archives with with Steve Lopez, author of "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music." An intimate portrait of gifted violinist Nathaniel Ayers traces his promising education at Juilliard, his struggles with schizophrenia, and the factors that led to his homelessness in Los Angeles, circumstances that prompted their friendship and the author's efforts to improve the musician's life in spite of numerous setbacks. Original air date 16 August 2009. The book was published in 2008.

Much like the staggering beauty of her voice, Audra McDonald is impossible to ignore. The only artist to sweep all four acting categories at the Tony’s, she’s the most decorated Broadway star of all time. Reviews of her award-winning performances overflow with accolades, describing her stage presence as “spellbinding,” “haunting,” and “genius.” But for the California native, things haven’t always been easy. She talks to Alec about getting into Juilliard, making it on Broadway, and the suicide attempt that helped shape who she is today. Originally aired July 25, 2017See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clarity and Brevity are the highest creativity. But “clear and brief” does not mean simple and predictable.One the most talented writers of advertising in the world would be surprised to hear me call him that. Jonathan Edward Durham is a novelist. He recently posted this random thought.“‘Why am I so sad today?' I ask myself after staring at my little handheld sadness machine and clicking all the sad little things that will definitely make me sad.”You may not agree with Durham's statement, but you will agree it was artfully crafted.What Durham gave us was clarity and brevity without predictability. This is the mark of a great ad writer.“Why am I so sad today?” immediately gets our attention. We are compelled to keep reading.We are surprised that he owns “a little handheld sadness machine.” But our cleverness allows us to translate it as “iPhone” and we receive a tiny spasm of delight.You have never heard of “a little handheld sadness machine” but you knew exactly what it was.His 30-word sentence demonstrated clarity, brevity, and creativity, but none of what Jonathan Edward Durham wrote was simple or predictable.Durham's ability to bring us – his readers, his listeners, his customers – into active participation in a one-way conversation is pure genius.Jonathan Edward Durham causes us to become engaged with what he is saying.You can do it, too.“Time + Place + Character + Emotion.” That's it. That's how Stephen Semple turns a weak story into a powerful one in his famous TED-X talk.Here's how Jonathan Edward Durham uses Time + Place + Character + Emotion to tell us a story in less than 30 seconds.“About two years ago, we moved across the country. It was a big, stressful move, and anxieties were high all around, and it had only been about six months since we rescued Jack, so he was really just beginning to adjust to having a forever home. Needless to say, Jack didn't understand why a bunch of strangers were taking all of our things, and he was having a very, very ruff time with the whole process.”“We want Jack to live forever. That's why we feed him The Wizard's Magic dog food.”Jonathan Edward Durham's wonderful story became an excellent ad with my addition of just 16 words. “We want Jack to live forever. That's why we feed him The Wizard's Magic dog food.”You already know how to write the 16 words. Now you need to learn how to tell a wonderful story in 76 words like Durham did.Time + Place + Character + Emotion. Give it a try.Roy H. WilliamsPS – Most people use too many words to make too small a point. The average writer wraps lots of words around a small idea. Inflated sentences are fluffy and empty like a hot air balloon. Good writers deliver a big idea quickly. Tight sentences hit hard. – Indy Beagle“Facts tell. Stories sell.” – Tom SchreiterWho do you call when you need your people to cooperate, innovate, and create? Meta, Google, Salesforce, and other big companies call a woman who has a golden reputation for legendary results. Her methods are unorthodox, unconventional, and irresistible. And her credentials are unique: she is an improv entertainer who trained to be a dancer at Juilliard. Her name is Melissa Dinwiddie and she can play the ukulele. Roving reporter Rotbart...

What if we could cure genetic disease before a baby is even born? In this episode, pediatric and fetal surgeon Tippi MacKenzie shares how in utero gene therapy and stem cell transplants could stop devastating diseases before life begins. Dr. MacKenzie is a pioneer in fetal genome surgery and in utero stem cell therapy, with a mission to give every child a healthy start. As Director of the UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center, she leads groundbreaking clinical trials treating disorders like alpha thalassemia while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in regenerative medicine. She also opens up about her personal journey—from Juilliard-trained pianist to surgeon-scientist—and the New England Journal of Medicine article that changed the course of her career. We discuss the unique biology of the fetus, why fetal immune tolerance presents a once-in-a-lifetime treatment window, and how her team is using lipid nanoparticles to develop future-ready gene editing strategies. We also explore how to better support the next generation of clinician-scientists and why stronger partnerships between academia and industry are key to bringing therapies from lab to patient. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

This week, we're joined by Eric Huang—Queens native, Juilliard-trained cellist, and the chef behind Pecking House, New York's cult fried chicken sensation. In a wild ride of an episode, Eric walks us through his transformation from classical musician to Michelin-level chef, dishing on brutal kitchen culture, racial dynamics in fine dining, and the unexpected pandemic pivot that made his chicken world-famous.He opens up about being hospitalized from stress the same day Eleven Madison Park was crowned the world's best restaurant, and how stepping away from the obsession with stars helped him find purpose in wok-fried lettuce, family roots, and feeding people real food.From stir-fried nostalgia to viral password-only menus, Eric's story is one of grit, grace, and gastronomic reinvention. Plus: his go-to NYC haunts, the “curse” of success, and why buffalo wings might just be the perfect starter.Recorded in London during his residency at Carousel and The Standard Hotel. Don't miss this one.-------Please leave us a great rating and a comment and share it with your friends - it really helps us grow as a show.If you're in the industry and are looking for the greatest POS system in the world than look no further as Blinq are tearing up the rulebook—no long-term contracts, no hidden fees, and no per-device charges.Just £49 a month for unlimited devices and 24/7 UK-based support that's always there, in person when you need it.Built for hospitality, by hospitality, blinq is the fastest, easiest POS system on the market—so intuitive, anyone can use it. And while others take weeks to get you up and running, with blinq, you're live in just 2 hours.Join the hospitality revolution today & use the code GOTOBLINQ to get your first month free - https://blinqme.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melissa Dinwiddie doesn't have an MBA. She's never worked for a consulting giant, such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting, or Bain. She is a ukulele-playing, jazz-singing, Julliard-trained dancer and improv entertainer. Yet when companies, including Meta, Google, Uber, Intuit, and Salesforce, seek fresh thinking on innovation and team creativity, they turn to Melissa for results. Melissa draws parallels between performance troupes, such as her All That Jazz improv jazz group, and business teams. To be successful, she notes, all members must listen closely, support one another, adapt on the fly, and create something from nothing.   Melissa is the founder and CEO of Creative Sandbox Solutions, communication, connection, and creativity experts. Her firm's specialty is helping teams blast through creative roadblocks. She is the author of The Creative Sandbox Way: Your Path to a Full-Color Life, which she wrote to help readers be comfortable with and embrace their own, authentic creativity. As Melissa explains this week, her unconventional background and unorthodox methods —  including having six- and seven-figure salaried executives build with Lego bricks — consistently unlock breakthrough ideas and enhance team performance. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Melissa Dinwiddie, Creative Sandbox SolutionsPosted: July 21, 2025 Monday Morning Run Time: 49:42 Episode: 14.7

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today's episode was such a blast. I'm talking with none other than the amazing Alan Tudyk! Alan is currently starring as Harry Vanderspeigle in the new season of Resident Alien. He also plays K-2SO in Andor, Hoban ‘Wash' Washburne in Firefly, Wat in A Knight's Tale and so so many iconic voice roles, including Valentino in Wish and the Duke of Weselton in Frozen. We have so much fun in this conversation and I loved learning more about Alan's journey from doing stand-up in a Holiday Inn, to Juilliard dropout, to working with some of the biggest names in Sci-Fi. Plus, we get to bond over our experience in the Star Wars universe and what it's like to be be part of a franchise that fans desperately want to revive (Battlestar for me, Firefly for him). Be sure to stick around after the conversation for the Hindsight, where I get together with my producer Jeph to talk over the episode, talk about upcoming convention appearances and answer fan questions from the Mail Sack! Send me an email thesackhoffshow@gmail.com Produced by Rabbit Grin Productions Mail Sack Song by Nicolas @producer_sniffles Join us on Patreon! http://patreon.com/thesackhoffshow ----------------------------------------------------- Support our Sponsors: New EveryPlate customers can enjoy a special offer of only $1.99 a meal. Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code katee199 to get started! Applied as discount on first box, limited time only.

Send us a textIn this joyful and energizing episode of UX Leadership by Design, Mark Baldino is joined by creativity catalyst Melissa Dinwiddie — a Juilliard-trained dancer turned artist, jazz singer, improviser, and innovation strategist and coach. Melissa helps individuals and teams get unstuck and unlock their creative potential, even (and especially) when they don't see themselves as creative. She walks us through her deceptively simple “Create the Impossible” framework—Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast—and dives deep into why perfectionism is the enemy of progress.Whether you're a self-identified “non-creative,” an overthinking perfectionist, an analytically minded problem-solver, or a leader trying to build more innovative teams, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and incredibly actionable advice. Bonus content: Melissa was kind enough to create an IMPACT Innovation Checklist for all of our listeners.Key TakeawaysPlay Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast – Melissa's 3-part framework helps people move through creative blocks with intention and joy.Everyone is Creative – The belief that creativity is for “others” is one of the biggest blockers to innovation.Perfectionism Kills Progress – Creatives often get stuck chasing an unattainable ideal. Melissa advocates for “intentional imperfectionism.”Improv Builds Better Teams – Activities like “Time Traveler” help teams build empathy, communicate better, and influence with impact.Self-Compassion Fuels Innovation – Letting go of judgment and leaning into curiosity enables us to grow, create, and experiment more freely.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro00:22 – From Juilliard to Jazz02:24 – The Creativity Myth05:40 – The “Create the Impossible” Framework07:02 – Breaking the “I'm Not Creative” Label11:41 – Improv for Innovation & Communication18:16 – Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast24:03 – Helping Creatives Let Go of Perfectionism27:52 – Mark's Tile Confession32:40 – Where to Find Melissa & Listener ResourcesResources & LinksConnect with Melissa Dinwiddle on LinkedInMelissa's Website and YouTube ChannelThank you gift: IMPACT Innovation Checklist Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

What if emotional resilience—not test scores—is the real key to success?In this powerful episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna shares what really made a difference in raising teens who not only got into Ivy League schools like Harvard and Princeton—but did so while prioritizing well-being.How do you raise high-performing kids—without burning them out?In this powerful episode, bestselling creator and mom of three Dr. Jenny Woo flips the mic to interview Dr. Juna Bobby, Harvard-trained educator, board certified physician, Juilliard resilience curriculum creator and faculty, and founder of MindBodySpace.Juna's kids got into Harvard and Princeton—but that was never the goal.Instead, she focused on cultivating:

This is the last time to get it right, because this week we're talking about the final installment of the HSM franchise! Tune in as BenG and Kelsey discuss the absurd amount of Troy and Gabriella duets in this movie, the logistics of flying out reps from Juilliard to give out a scholarship, and how at the end of the day Troy Bolton is just a simp.

Eleven years and another life ago, Clara Bishop was a rising star pianist. Everything changed on the night of a festival marking the 145th birthday of Poland's revered composer and Clara's  distant relative, Aleksander Starza. She began that night as an artist in her own right—no longer defined by Madame, her exacting teacher. But after a devastating fire broke out in the concert hall, she left badly scarred. Since then, Clara hasn't touched a piano or spoken to Madame, whom she blames for her career-ending injuries. Now, at 30, she has a new life in Texas as a bartender. No one there knows about her past—until Madame dies and leaves her a cryptic inheritance: a metronome linked to a notorious 19th-century murder.In her literary debut, THE FIRE CONCERTO (Union Square & Co.; June 10, 2025), Sarah Landenwich presents a richly layered, twisty story about three women of remarkable musical talent connected by tragedy. For Clara, what starts as a search for the origins of Madame's unusual bequest turns into a mission to find the lost compositions and restore the tarnished reputation of a brilliant 19th-century female pianist from Poland. Along her journey, Clara uncovers startling truths about her formidable mentor and herself.        THE FIRE CONCERTO opens in 1997 with Clara as she struggles to make sense of the gift Madame left her. Could this oddity be the metronome, missing since 1885, that belonged to her ancestor, the composer Aleksander Starza? Was it the murder weapon used by the woman accused of killing him, the pianist Constantia Pleyel? How did Madame, an orphan who fled Poland in 1939 and made her own way into Juilliard and onto the concert stage, come to possess this priceless, storied antique?Seeking answers, Clara finds an unexpected ally in her childhood rival and teenage crush, Tony Park. Another of Madame's chosen beneficiaries, Tony offers to help Clara unravel the metronome's history. Can she trust him? He's not the only one interested in this coveted object. First, she receives an eerie phone call and then a threatening letter. Finally, someone breaks into and ransacks her home. Though filled with dread about revisiting the scene of her nightmare, Clara agrees to join Tony on a fact-finding trip to Warsaw, where Aleksander Starza lived and died.Scouring museum archives and private stashes of letters, Clara works to uncover the metronome's haunted past. Gradually, she realizes that nothing about Starza and his murder are what they seem. And the truth about his relationship with Constantia Pleyel, who was far from the raging madwoman history has alleged her to be, is complicated. What Clara discovers could rewrite the history of music. For Clara, the revelations also strike a deeply personal chord. The metronome has a hidden inscription in Polish, translated as: “From pain, we must make beauty.” Were these words engraved to speak to Starza or to Pleyel? Did Madame intend for Clara to take this message to heart?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

In this episode, the Munsons are joined once again by veteran guest Munson, Cam Sully, for a deep dive into the unparalleled career of Trinidadian-American actress Lorraine Toussaint. A Juilliard graduate with over 30 years in film, TV, and theater, Toussaint consistently delivers powerhouse performances, making even small roles unforgettable. We explore her impactful work in Selma, her iconic turn as Vee in Orange Is the New Black, her underrated brilliance in Nightjohn, her chilling role in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, her ongoing presence as Vi in The Equalizer, and her latest performance in Better Sister. Plus, we revisit the classic Dangerous Minds to see if it still holds up. How does she rank on the Munson Meter? Listen to find out.

The Horn Signal is proudly brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Join hosts John Snell and Preston Shepard as they interview horn players around the world.  Today's episode features Julie Landsman, former Principal Horn of the Metropolitan Opera and teacher at University of Southern California. About Julie: Principal horn with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 25 years, Julie Landsman is a distinguished performing artist and educator. She received a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School in 1975 under the tutelage of James Chambers and Ranier De Intinis, and has served as a member of the Juilliard faculty since 1989. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Landsman achieved her dream of becoming principal of the MET in 1985 and held that position until 2010. She has also shared her talent to many other ensembles within the city as a current member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and having performed and recorded with the New York Philharmonic. Additionally, she has performed with numerous groups outside the city, including her co-principal position with the Houston Symphony, substitute principal position with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and recent performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra as Associate principal horn, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, principal horn. She has recorded for RCA, Deutsche Gramophone, CRI, Nonesuch and Vanguard labels, and is most famous for her performance of Wagner's “Ring” cycle as solo horn with the MET Opera under the direction of James Levine. Landsman has performed as chamber musician at many festivals and concert series, including the Marlboro Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, La Jolla Summerfest, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center,  Orcas Island Chamber Music  Festival,  and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she appeared as a guest artist with the Guarneri Quartet. In the summers she performs and teaches at the Music Academy of the West , the Sarasota Music  Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. World renowned as a master teacher, Julie Landsman holds faculty positions at The Juilliard School and Bard College Conservatory, and teaches frequently as a guest at the Curtis Institute. She has presented master classes at such distinguished institutions as The Colburn School, Curtis Institute, Eastman School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, USC Thornton School of Music, Cal State Long Beach, Rowan University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Southern Mississippi, to name a few. She is also a visiting master teacher at the New World Symphony in Miami. Her international presence includes master classes in Norway, Sweden, and Israel.  In 2016 Landsman was an honored jury member at the ARD horn competition in Munich, Germany. Her students hold positions in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera and Ballet Orchestras, Washington National Opera Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and the American Brass Quintet. She recently received the “Pioneer Award” from the International Women's Brass Conference and was a featured artist at the International Horn Society Conference in 2012 and 2015. Her recent series of Carmine Caruso lessons on YouTube have led to further fame and renown among today's generation of horn players. Landsman currently resides in Santa Barbara, California.

This is an Encore Presentation of my March 2025 interview with Sharon Isbin, one of the world's premier classical guitarists and a multiple Grammy winner. She heads the guitar departments at Juilliard and the Aspen Music School. She's won a boatload of awards and competitions. She studied with Andres Segovia. She's performed with over 200 orchestras and she's collaborated with classical and also non-classical musicians including Josh Groban, Joan Baez and Steve Vai.My featured song is my recent single, “The Rich Ones All Stars”. Spotify link.---------------------------------------------The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries!Click here for All Episodes Click here for Guest List Click here for Guest Groupings Click here for Guest TestimonialsClick here to Subscribe Click here to receive our Email UpdatesClick here to Rate and Review the podcast—----------------------------------------CONNECT WITH SHARON:www.sharonisbin.com________________________ROBERT'S RECENT SINGLES:“THE CUT OF THE KNIFE” is Robert's latest single. An homage to jazz legend Dave Brubeck and his hit “Take Five”. It features Guest Artist Kerry Marx, Musical Director of The Grand Ole Opry band, on guitar solo. Called “Elegant”, “Beautiful” and “A Wonder”! CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS—----------------------------“DAY AT THE RACES” is Robert's newest single.It captures the thrills, chills and pageantry of horse racing's Triple Crown. Called “Fun, Upbeat, Exciting!”CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS___________________“MOON SHOT” reflects my Jazz Rock Fusion roots. The track features Special Guest Mark Lettieri, 5x Grammy winning guitarist who plays with Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. The track has been called “Firey, Passionate and Smokin!”CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS____________________“ROUGH RIDER” has got a Cool, ‘60s, “Spaghetti Western”, Guitar-driven, Tremolo sounding, Ventures/Link Wray kind of vibe!CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS—--------------------------------“LOVELY GIRLIE” is a fun, Old School, rock/pop tune with 3-part harmony. It's been called “Supremely excellent!”, “Another Homerun for Robert!”, and “Love that Lovely Girlie!”Click HERE for All Links—----------------------------------“THE RICH ONES ALL STARS” is Robert's single featuring the following 8 World Class musicians: Billy Cobham (Drums), Randy Brecker (Flugelhorn), John Helliwell (Sax), Pat Coil (Piano), Peter Tiehuis (Guitar), Antonio Farao (Keys), Elliott Randall (Guitar) and David Amram (Pennywhistle).Click HERE for the Official VideoClick HERE for All Links—----------------------------------------Audio production:Jimmy RavenscroftKymera Films Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast:Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comEmail Robert - robert@followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music:Website - www.projectgrandslam.comYouTubeSpotify MusicApple MusicEmail - pgs@projectgrandslam.com 

This is an Encore Presentation of Robert's January 2025 interview with Classical Music Superstar JoAnn Falletta. For 25 years JoAnn has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She was the first female conductor in the United States of a major symphony orchestra. She's a Juilliard graduate. She studied with Leonard Bernstein. She's a 2x Grammy winner. My featured song is “New York City Groove”, from the album Made In New York by my band Project Grand Slam, in honor of the fact that both JoAnn and I grew up in New York City. Spotify link.—--------------------------------------------The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries!Click here for All Episodes Click here for Guest List Click here for Guest Groupings Click here for Guest TestimonialsClick here to Subscribe Click here to receive our Email UpdatesClick here to Rate and Review the podcast—----------------------------------------CONNECT WITH JOANN:www.joannfalletta.com________________________ROBERT'S RECENT SINGLES:“THE CUT OF THE KNIFE” is Robert's latest single. An homage to jazz legend Dave Brubeck and his hit “Take Five”. It features Guest Artist Kerry Marx, Musical Director of The Grand Ole Opry band, on guitar solo. Called “Elegant”, “Beautiful” and “A Wonder”! CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS—----------------------------“DAY AT THE RACES” is Robert's newest single.It captures the thrills, chills and pageantry of horse racing's Triple Crown. Called “Fun, Upbeat, Exciting!”CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS___________________“MOON SHOT” reflects my Jazz Rock Fusion roots. The track features Special Guest Mark Lettieri, 5x Grammy winning guitarist who plays with Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers. The track has been called “Firey, Passionate and Smokin!”CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS____________________“ROUGH RIDER” has got a Cool, ‘60s, “Spaghetti Western”, Guitar-driven, Tremolo sounding, Ventures/Link Wray kind of vibe!CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VIDEOCLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS—--------------------------------“LOVELY GIRLIE” is a fun, Old School, rock/pop tune with 3-part harmony. It's been called “Supremely excellent!”, “Another Homerun for Robert!”, and “Love that Lovely Girlie!”Click HERE for All Links—----------------------------------“THE RICH ONES ALL STARS” is Robert's single featuring the following 8 World Class musicians: Billy Cobham (Drums), Randy Brecker (Flugelhorn), John Helliwell (Sax), Pat Coil (Piano), Peter Tiehuis (Guitar), Antonio Farao (Keys), Elliott Randall (Guitar) and David Amram (Pennywhistle).Click HERE for the Official VideoClick HERE for All Links—----------------------------------------Audio production:Jimmy RavenscroftKymera Films Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast:Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comEmail Robert - robert@followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music:Website - www.projectgrandslam.comYouTubeSpotify MusicApple MusicEmail - pgs@projectgrandslam.com 

Molly Yeh is the Emmy- and James Beard Award-nominated star of Girl Meets Farm on the Food Network; owner of Bernie’s, a bakery and cafe in East Grand Forks, Minnesota; and a bestselling cookbook author. Her new cookbook is Sweet Farm, 100 dessert recipes that feature oh-so-Molly flavors like tahini, marzipan, hawaij and halva, plus a whole chapter devoted to Midwestern cookie salads! Molly tells host Rachel Belle how her relationship to sprinkles has changed as she’s gotten older; how she, a Juilliard graduate with a degree in percussion, ended up living on a sugar-beet farm on the Minnesota/North Dakota border; what a cookie salad is; and her secret to being an excellent baker. Molly bakes beautiful, buttery, super-moist cakes, sometimes testing a recipe more than 30 times to get it right. All that cake talk got Rachel thinking about Cake Picnic, an event in March that went super-viral, where home bakers brought and devoured nearly 1,400 cakes in a San Francisco park! Rachel welcomes Cake Picnic founder Elisa Sunga to the show to talk about how the event was born and how she keeps the cake chaos to a minimum. Listen to Molly Yeh on the Greta Gerwig episode of YLM, talking about her homemade Funfetti cake! Watch Rachel’s Cascade PBS TV show The Nosh with Rachel Belle! Season 2 out now! Sign up for Rachel’s new (free!) Cascade PBS newsletter for more food musings!Follow along on Instagram! Order Rachel’s cookbook Open Sesame. Support the show: http://rachelbelle.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Karen Saves The Universe: Part 2Can a strange marriage survive?Based on a post by LingeringAfterthought, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.I want you, Red. I need to make you mine; mine forever. I've never felt like this before; I know I never will again. Marry me." Cal pleaded."I;” Karen murmured, glancing around their group to make sure she wouldn't be overheard, "I don't know what to say. You're wonderful; and you've done so much for me, but this has all been so fast. We're still just getting to know each other; and half the time it doesn't even make sense to me why you would want me; but I; I just; can I just finish school?" she asked."How you can even think about school when someone like me is ready to give you everything you ever wanted, to take care of you completely, it's just crazy;” Cal murmured, sliding his hand up between her legs and brushing along the edge of her panties.Karen blushed and squeezed her thighs together, looking around embarrassed. "I just; I just worked so hard to get in. Juilliard's been my whole life for so long," she said, looking up into his eyes pleading.Cal looked at her through hooded eyes, "Keep looking at me like that and we won't be waiting for anything." His eyes heated as he pulled her closer, dominating her with a hungry kiss while she squirmed self-consciously. The couples around the table smirked as Cal grew even more bold in his explorations.When he released her, Karen hid her face in his neck as the others cheered. They were his friends, happy to see him happy. Cal glanced at a waiter nearby and gestured for more drinks for the table. The opening act on the stage below finished its last set, but the crowd refused to let the show end. Cheers filled the club, with the crowd demanding an encore.Castor, the lead singer, waited for the crowd to quiet with a grin, then his eyes drifted upward and his face lit with excitement. "Thank you, thanks guys, you're a great audience. For an encore, we'd love to give you a taste of our next album. We've been banging it out in the studio and I can't tell you how excited we are for it to be released. Problem is, it's got this insane keys part that can't be played by just anyone, but I think I see our studio angel in the audience tonight. Kare, baby; will you come help us out?" he asked, reaching upward to where Karen sat.Cal's friends turned to look at Karen in surprise. "You play? Like, for real?" Cal's friend Tony yelled across the table to her in surprise. Karen nodded in embarrassment, glancing at Cal.Everything suddenly froze as Karen rose and walked over to the table, standing over her younger self looking at Cal's face. "Look, you little dummy; look at it! It's right there!" she yelled at Young Karen."What's there?" Holland asked, craning his neck to try to see what she was yelling about."Cal, for all his big words, rich gifts, and grand gestures; he hadn't told his friends anything about me; because nothing of who I really was mattered to him. Only the things he wanted about me mattered to him ; that I was shy, and submissive, and just grateful to have someone pay attention to me. And here ; look at his face! It fell!" she yelled, gesturing to where Cal sat, leaning back in his chair."His face appears still to be attached, to me;” Holland said, doubtfully."It's just a phrase. His face didn't actually fall, but his eyes; look, he's still smiling, but you see it in his eyes. He's not happy for me. He's not happy because the moment stopped being about Cal and how he was the great boyfriend spoiling his new stupid girlfriend on her birthday. Once the moment became about me; that I was asked up on stage; that I could do something his friends admired; ugh, why didn't I see it?" she moaned."What happened?" Holland asked.Karen rubbed her eyes with her hand. "I was young. I was asked to do something. I was asked for help. I was a stupid ninny that had absolutely no ability to say 'no' without thinking the world would end; so, I went up and played with the band.""Oh; was that bad?" Holland asked."No, it wasn't bad. It was a great song. I played well and I was just tipsy enough to not feel all the eyes that were looking at me, making my skin crawl. And you know; some part of me; I wanted to do it. I wanted to show myself that I could play for people; outside a quiet studio," Karen admitted. "Everyone always went on and on about how I needed to get over being so self-conscious and how it would hold my career back. That, and part of me wanted to show Cal's friends that I was more than just another girl in the long line of girls that he had gone through; that I was worth something.""Sometimes I wish our crew would see that I was worth something more;” Holland said, ruefully."Yeah; it's hard when you're young. You're dying to show the world what you're worth, how you're special, but they mostly just need you to work hard and do as you're told," Karen sighed, looking around the club. "Some people will never see what's special about you. They see what they want and they really don't care about the rest. It's those people that see who you really are; without wanting anything from you; those are the ones you need to hang onto."Karen turned her back on the club and the room re-formed into her Newark apartment. The intercom buzzed and Dana rolled out of bed to answer it. "What's up?" she asked."Hey; um, I don't have my keys. Can you buzz me in?" Karen's voice shakily asked through the intercom. Dana frowned in confusion and pressed the button to allow her entry. Soon, she opened the door after Karen's tentative knock."What happened, Kare? I thought you'd be gone all weekend," Dana said, taking in her roommate's appearance. Karen looked unharmed, but her face was puffy and her makeup was streaked from crying and trying to wipe it away."I; uh; I played at the club tonight. Castor Graham was the opening act and he asked me to come up for the encore, so I did.""You played in front of rowdy drunk people? That's fantastic! How did it feel?" Dana asked, offering her back for Karen to lean on while she took off her heels."I was scared; but after a while it was fun. The keyboard was facing the crowd and after a while I looked out over the people and; they looked happy. They liked it. It felt good, then.""God, I wish I'd been there. I'm so proud of you! What did Cal and the entourage say?""Um; I; don't know," Karen blinked and looked around the apartment. "When, uh; when I um; when I got back to the table, they were all gone." Karen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and cleared her throat."Wait, what?" Dana said, her tone darkening like a storm cloud, threatening imminent destruction. "Say that again. You get called up on stage to perform, you play in front of all those people; like the freakin' keyboard genius you are; and when you got back, those motherfuckers were gone?""I; I think they were gone? The table was empty from what I could see; and the, uh, the security guy; he couldn't let me into the area. He really only knew Cal, and um;” Karen choked and turned her face away, trying to breathe through it and stop herself from crying."Karen; that's not; wait, how did you even get home?" Dana asked, unzipping Karen's dress and grabbing a pair of yoga pants for her."Well, my purse and phone were gone from the table, so I couldn't call anybody and I didn't have any money;” Karen choked. "The security guy was really nice and said I could use his MetroCard if I returned it, so;”"Oh, Christ On A Crotch-Rocket!" Dana yelled, throwing a sweatshirt at Karen, who caught it and pulled it over her head. "Kare. You gotta stop dating this guy. He's a piece of shit. Trust me. I didn't know it when I sent you over there to play, but he's walking excrement;""It's probably just a misunderstand;""And believe me, I'm sure he'll come back with some half-assed explanation, because that's what they all do;""And he tells me all the time that he;""Yeah. He ‘tells ‘; you pretty stuff. He ‘buys ‘; you pretty stuff. Problem is, words and money are nothing to him. Where the hell is he when you're walking home in fuck-me club clothes from the train station and trying not to lose your virginity, huh? Kare. I know you've been through hell, but you are worth more than this. You need a guy that walks you down the sidewalk and puts himself on the traffic side; just in case, because that's who he is. You deserve that. Don't you get it?" Dana asked, taking Karen's hair down and brushing it out, gently."Cal isn't; it's probably just; something;” Karen whispered, biting her lips closed.Dana stopped brushing and wrapped her arms around her roommate, squeezing her hard. "There is real love out there, Kare; and if you don't deserve it, I don't know who does. Someday, you're going to meet a guy that actually loves you and it's going to blow your mind when the games and bullshit are gone. It's like; when a guy is in love, gravity changes for them, or something;”Holland jumped up and pointed excitedly at Dana. "She's right! When I met the Zendayans, my tongue swelled up and;""Are you listening to my story at all, or are you just fantasizing about pretty girls?" Karen huffed."Um; both?" Holland replied, smirking. "I mean, you and Dana were really pretty; and there's just one bed here, and;"Karen shot him an exasperated look and he shrank back behind the bulkhead. "Anyway;” she said.The room dissolved and re-formed, both girls sleeping in the queen-sized bed they shared, morning sunlight streaming in through the dirty window, when the buzzer sounded. "Day, c'mon time to go," a man's voice sounded from the intercom. Karen's head peered out from under the blanket and she ran over to the intercom, tripping over some bottles of wine that they (mostly Dana) had consumed the previous night, trying to rid Karen of her birthday misery."Um; she's almost ready!" Karen replied, then ran to the bed and shook her hungover roommate awake. "Day, someone's here for you; they say it's time to go."Dana grunted and turned over, away from Karen. "Go do it for me; just say you're me again," Dana grumbled into her pillow.Karen swallowed nervously, but gamely grabbed Dana's dress, quickly got ready, and ran out the door. Upon leaving the building, she stumbled into the guy waiting outside. "Um; I'm ready! I'm ready! Dana Stevens. Thanks for waiting;” she panted.The man gave her a quick considering look, then walked her to a large extended-cab pickup truck that looked ridiculously out of place on the streets of Newark. "Miss Stevens," he said, opening the passenger side door and offering his hand to help her up into the vehicle."Thanks. Thank you;” she said, precariously climbing up the runner board in her heels until she settled herself up onto the seat."Just wait there, a bit," he said, after closing the door. Walking back to the building, he selected a key from his collection, opened the building door and walked in. Not long after, he emerged from the building carrying Dana over his shoulder and carrying a bag stuffed haphazardly with clothes. Opening the door behind Karen, he dumped Dana unceremoniously into the back seat and tossed the bag of clothes on top of her. Dana, still in her pajamas, put the bag under her head and turned away from the sunlight streaming into the cab."Dean, this is Karen. Karen, my brother Dean," Dana mumbled, as she draped a pair of sweatpants over her head to block the light."Oh; um, sorry," Karen said, flushing red as she glanced over at Dean's face. "I didn't mean to; um, I'll just go;""Lock the doors, and get us out of the city, Dean. She's coming with us," Dana ordered. "She's on asshole detox!"Karen jumped as the truck's doors locked and Dean wordlessly pulled out into the street and started out. She clasped her hands in her lap nervously. She hadn't packed anything. She had no phone. She didn't have time to let Dana drag her to West Virginia for a visit. Dana had been trying to talk her into coming with her to where she had grown up with her grandparents, but in the excitement of her birthday, Karen had forgotten the trip was this week. She knew better than to say anything, though. Dana wouldn't care, and Dean; who knew what Dean Stevens the brother would think. He didn't say much, but he obviously knew better than to argue with hungover Dana, which was something they had in common."She knows where we're goin?" Dean asked, checking his mirrors as he merged onto the freeway. Dana grunted in assent. "Why ain't she singin' it, yet?" he rumbled, seemingly amused."Because She's Not A Drunk College Kid, Idiot!" Dana howled, holding her head in pain.Dean smirked and started humming "Country Roads" to himself."I hate you so much;” Dana growled, pulling the bag of clothes over her head again. Dean only laughed.After a few miles of road, Karen looked at her roommate in the back seat, and unbuckled her seatbelt. She began to turn to lean over the front seat when Dean reached over and pushed her back down and pointed at her seatbelt. "Um sorry; I just;” Karen trailed off, horrified that she had done something wrong. She couldn't finish her sentence and sat back down, blinking back tears as she put her seatbelt back on.Dean glanced over, looking her up and down for a moment. With a sigh, he put his turn signal on and pulled off the road into a gas station at the next exit. "Do what you need to do," he said, curtly.Karen jumped up, turned around and loosely buckled the seatbelt across the sleeping Dana's hips, then turned, sat down again, and buckled her seatbelt. "Thank you," she mumbled. Dean turned to the back seat where his sister continued sleeping and his face softened. He looked at Karen a second time, sitting with her hands in her lap again, clenched like she expected a tongue-lashing from him for delaying the trip. His eyes drifted down to her feet, where her cold toes were turning pink in the strappy, uncomfortable-looking heels she wore when she came running out of the apartment building on his sister's fool errand. Reaching back, he grabbed a pair of thick socks that had fallen out of the bag of clothes and tossed them to her. Smiling gratefully, Karen removed the strappy heels and pulled on the warm socks as he pulled out onto the road again.The road stretched on. The scenery gradually becoming more rural, the traffic less crowded. Karen found herself relaxing and breathing more slowly as the land passed by. She occasionally glanced at the gas gauge and compared them to the passing road signs to try to discern when they might be pulling over to refill the tank. The third time she did it, Dean shook his head. "Bedford, hon," he chuckled. "You know, you could just ask me. I might be a longshoreman, but I don't bite.""Not like Dana, then," Karen replied, biting her lips so she didn't smile."Hm. Sounds like a story," he said.Karen nodded. "The first time we met, I was waiting to audition for our agency and I was almost going to leave, I was so scared. Day asked to see what I was playing and I handed her the music. Instead of looking at it, she took my hand and bit me. Said it was 'for luck,'" Karen said, laughing to herself."It worked, too. Kare needed to get of her head. She plays better when you throw her off balance, first," Dana said, rising to a sitting position and running her fingers through her hair."Is that so?" Dean asked, looking over at Karen."Yeah. I think too much. My teacher always said I played things perfectly, but he could hear me thinking about it the whole time. Day's a true performer, though. She doesn't think at all - she plays with her feelings, and that's what an audience connects with," Karen said, smiling proudly at Dana."Thoughtlessly playing with feelings; sounds about right," Dean said, chuckling when Dana punched him in the shoulder. "Speaking of, we're coming up on Bedford. Let me know if you need anything."Dana growled at this but said nothing as Karen blinked in confusion. Soon, Dean pulled off the interstate into a gas station and up to a gas pump. Dean hopped out of the truck and began filling the tank. After noticing the bug-splattered windshield, Karen changed back into her strappy heels and walked over to where the island held the squeegee and mop. Dean watched, bemused, as she diligently scrubbed the dried carcasses of insects off the glass while dressed to the nines. Karen finished and climbed back into the truck, only to have Dana grab her shoulder and start whispering in her ear and pointing at the convenience store. Karen, appearing distressed, blushed and said something back to Dana, who gestured emphatically.Dean kept watching as Karen seemed to screw up her courage, took her purse, and walked quickly into the store. He shot his sister a flat look. Dana only grinned, stretched, and put her feet up on the front seat. Shaking his head, he followed into the store."And what would you be needing all those for, hon?" the guy at the till asked while ogling Karen, who looked like she wanted to disappear under the rug."Um; it's uh;” Karen stammered."I need to ask for state regulatory purposes," the guy continued, as he put a large box of condoms on the counter and rang it up."They're for me," Dean said, as he tossed some drinks, chips and cookies on the counter. "Uncut and hangs to the left. Anything else the state needs to know about my cock?" The till guy cleared his throat and began ringing up the additional items and bagging them without further comment. Annoyed, Dean grabbed the bagged items in one hand and took Karen's hand in the other and left the store. "You know, you don't have to do everything my little sister tells you," he said under his breath as they walked to the truck."Then why'd you buy them? Seems like you can't tell her 'no' any more than I can," Karen replied, a little surprised that she had the guts to argue with him.Dean laughed, "I don't want her knocked up any more than you do." He helped her up into the truck and tossed the bag of items to his sister.Dana went digging through the bag and retrieved the box. "Wait a minute, these are just regular. Didn't they have lubricated?" she complained. Karen swallowed uncomfortably, searching for an answer as Dean pulled her seatbelt out and buckled it around her."Don't need lubricated if the guy does his job right," Dean said, grinning at her cheerfully. "Raise your standards and you won't need so many, either.""Hum; lower yours, and maybe you'll actually need some," Dana retorted, opening the package of cookies. Karen just shrank in her seat and covered her flaming cheeks as they pulled back onto the freeway.The scenery turned into wooded hills with mountains growing in the distance. Steering down the curved roads, Dean sighed quietly, a peaceful smile on his face. Karen leaned forward in her seat, trying to see everything as it passed, excitement lighting her face. Dana had fallen asleep again.Near evening, Dean turned the truck down a long, dirt road and reached behind him to shake Dana awake. "Watch for him, Day;” he said. Dana sat up, suddenly alert and scanning the darkening woods around them."What are we looking for?" Karen asked.

 Karen Saves The Universe: Part 1Desperate aliens kidnap a Karen to save their world!Based on a post by LingeringAfterthought, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.On the starship Onan, the Priamites dubiously watched the screen display the creature. Dr. Fehr's algorithm had brought them trekking across the galaxy to a smallish, blue planet around an unimpressive star. While there was no denying the power emitted by the angry, festering organic matter before them, the thought of containing it and bringing it back to Priam was daunting. Still, the fate of their world hung upon the success of their mission."Do we have; uh; audio yet, Lieutenant Cavill?" Captain Hemsworth said, pausing briefly to joylessly ejaculate into his cumsuit, which quickly reclaimed the essence he emitted and channeled it into one of the suit's containment pouches to be resorbed as nourishment.Ever since the people of Eros had unleashed their horrific weapon on them, the Priamites orgasmed almost constantly. The Eros Curse, which seemed like a gift at first, became a tool of enslavement and oppression as the great Priam civilization devolved into listless people who passed the time sitting and staring at nothing in particular. Even special holidays were simply spent gathered in each other's' houses, grunting intermittently. The children of Priam, spared by the curse of Eros by living in growth pods, were never exposed to the disease or its effects until the seemingly arbitrary age of 18, so at least there was no trouble with the censors. The demands of orgasming so frequently took its toll on the Priamite's bodies. Dehydration, muscle spasms, and fatigue were common. The effects on the mind were worse. It wasn't until the invention of the cumsuit, which not only reclaimed the fluid loss and prevented dehydration, but also reduced arousing sensations until the wearer was nearly numb, that it was possible for them to journey out into the stars in search of a cure.Guided by the ancient journals of the revered Dr. Fehr, the Priamites had come to a small planet where it was foretold that there was a force of great and terrible power. It was hoped that this force could be used to break free of the cruel Eros Curse, but time was running out. Even wearing the cumsuits, the crew of the Onan, who were the most stoic, intellectual and sexless men of Priam, felt themselves progressively weakening to the Curse. It was only a matter of time until they lost all sense of duty and simply went adrift through the universe."No audio yet, Captain. The resonant frequency is so shrill that if we don't modulate the pitch; uh;” Lieutenant Cavill replied, closing his eyes and shaking as he orgasmed, then collapsed and stared blankly at the control panels as he recovered.Another crewman took over at the panel, "Captain, I can give you audio, but only for a short time. Even on their planet, they; they; oh; oh fuck;” the replacement said, stiffening as he spurted inside his suit, then shook his head to clear it and looked to their leader for orders. Captain Hemsworth braced himself in his chair and nodded for him to activate audio.A horrendous braying screech filled the bridge, “ No Idea Why You People Can't Even Take An Order Right! I Ordered The Cobb Salad With Extra Avocado! I Don't Care If It's Not On There Or Not! Fix The Damn Menu! I Have Been Coming Here For Over 15 Years And I Know For A Fact That You People Had Cobb Salad On There Two Years Ago When You Were Called Baker's Pie;"Another voice interjected, soft and conciliatory, "Oh, yes, ma'am; I see the confusion. The Baker's Pie that was here went out of business. This restaurant is Snooker's, now, so we don't have the same menu, but our club salad is very similar to;""Are You Actually Interrupting Me? Get. Me. A. Cobb. Salad. Extra Avocado! Do You Understand? Extra Avocado! Mucho Amortado! Comprendo Estupido?"Even in that short interlude, most of the Onan's bridge crew had begun bleeding from their ears and collapsing onto the deck. Captain Hemsworth, a man of rare tolerance and stamina, struggled past their unconscious bodies to the control panel and lowered the volume until it was barely audible. "Computer, disburse caffeline into bridge life support systems, 15 parts per million," he mumbled, leaning on the control panel for support as the strong stimulant hissed into the room. He didn't like to use the drug, because the heightened energy it gave often led to periods of prolonged involuntary masturbation, but he couldn't afford to waste time for the crewmen to awaken naturally. Not when conditions were so dire on Priam.Lieutenant Cavill groaned and rose weakly, climbing back into his console chair and checking the readings. "What happened, Captain? Our scans showed a primitive civilization on the planet without any meaningful defenses. What was that? Some kind of weapon?" he asked.Captain Hemsworth did a double-take at the crewman in wonder, but he said nothing. All around him, he watched the rest of the crew slowly getting to their feet and going back to their positions. All the men were alert, aware, and focused on their duties. Several of them were talking to each other; in full uninterrupted sentences. No one drooled, no one's eyes rolled back; not one of them stared off into space, as if dully re-living the curse that had infected their brains. He, himself, had not even felt the urge to sexually relieve himself once, even with the high levels of caffeline in the air. Indeed, he had not felt anything below the waist; not since he heard that voice. He doubted whether he would have the urge to orgasm ever again. They had finally done it."That was no weapon, Cavill; it is what we came here to find. It's the cure that Dr. Fehr told us was here all along. Contact High Command and tell them; tell them we found it. Tell them we have found; The Karen.The man-eating woman.After straightening out the incompetent waiter on her order, Karen Carmichael excused herself from her prayer group's table and walked to the restrooms, incensed. What kind of man actually cries when taking an order for a salad? Probably gay; or whatever kids were calling themselves these days. Was there such a thing as "gay" anymore, when people "identified" themselves as whatever the hell occurred to them? What was the point of picking a sexuality when people didn't even have a species anymore?Of course, Travis the Waiter had to play the victim about it, too, making the entire restaurant gawk over at their table like they were monsters. He probably knew they were a nice church group and went out of his way to make trouble. Sure, they all scream for "tolerance," but their types couldn't wait to attack nice people of faith like her who showed the world what it was to be decent and pure of heart. Well, he could just kiss his tip money goodbye! Tipping had gotten ridiculous anyway; a generation of whiny babies feeling entitled to extra money just for doing their jobs. ‘If ‘; they did their jobs. She couldn't even get a salad; and, by God, if the Manager didn't make things right, her Yelp review on this place would burn a hole through people's screens!Karen pushed on the door to the restroom tightly clutching her can of pepper spray, because sexual predators were always trying to rape women like her in public restrooms, and she nearly screamed when the door opened. Wet paper towels were everywhere. The garbage bin was overflowing, and some slob had splashed water all over the sink area! Now, she'd have to make the Manager take care of this, too! More drama, when she just wanted to have a nice lunch with her friends. And, of course, the Manager would just try to ‘handle ‘; her; as if she was some unreasonable bitch just for wanting to use a facility that wasn't absolutely disgusting! Then looking near her, but not at her, the Manager would apologize in that fake-nice voice and offer to comp her meal; offering her even more of what was bad in the first place. Managers and their fake apologies. They weren't sorry. The soulless jerks never meant it. They just wanted her to go away; acting like she was a scamming thief instead of someone who just wanted to be treated decently.She settled on the toilet and tried to calm herself. Lately, half the time she wanted to cry, or scream, or tear out her hair; but it wouldn't matter. Nothing would change. Everything changed around her, though. Menus; her children; hairstyles; prices; everything changed. It felt like everything had just left her behind. She looked everywhere for the things she used to love, but she couldn't find them anymore; and if she did find them, they weren't the same as they once were. Nothing made her feel her joy like she used to. That was it. Maybe she was done; that her turn at having any real joy was over. Now, the only time anyone tried to make her happy, or even looked at her, was when she screamed at them.Karen opened her eyes to a rattling sound at the door of her long, handicapped-bathroom stall. "Occupied!" she called out. To her dismay, the dial holding the sliding bolt turned all by itself and the door unlocked. "Hey! Get out!" she yelled, grabbing her pepper spray and holding it in front of her while she tried to stand and pull up her yoga pants."Nice human; good human;” a vaguely disembodied male voice said as a dark, hooded figure in a bizarre form-fitting spacesuit stepped into her stall holding what looked like a staff with a flexible loop affixed to the end of it. It slowly stepped toward her, as cautiously as one might approach a spooked animal. "Human want a nice piece of kale? Yes you do! Yes you do! Who's a good human?" it asked, holding out a curly dark green leaf to her and shaking it temptingly."What the hell?" she yelled, fumbling with the pepper spray can and trying to figure out how to make it work, just as the loop at the end of the staff went down over her head and around her neck, cinching tight.Karen choked, clutching at the loop with one hand, trying to loosen it so she could breathe, and with the other she emptied the can of pepper spray into the hooded face of her attacker. She struggled wildly, but the staff with the loop effectively controlled her and prevented her from landing any punches or kicks on her attacker. As darkness started creeping in on her vision, the last thing she saw was the figure deeply inhale the cloud of pepper spray and hold its breath, then say in a choked voice, "Ready for transport, sir; and man, they've got some good shit down here;”The forgotten leaf of kale fell down next to where Karen's cheek was pressed against the filthy bathroom floor, and with what she feared was her dying breath she choked out, "I want; to see; the; Manager;”Karen's ne victim."I used kale, Sir. Worked like a charm. It's one of the most nutritionally dense materials on the planet, so naturally, it was irresistible," a larger Priamite said to Captain Hemsworth, as he stripped out of his protective suit in a small enclave, bathed in an undulating light.Captain Hemsworth nodded. "Good work, Commander Momoa. Decontaminate for a full four cycles and I want protective measures in place for all personnel. God knows what this thing is capable of when it wakes."Karen heard garbled voices nearby, but kept her eyes closed and tried to steady her breathing. What had happened? The air smelled odd; almost crackling with ozone and energy, like a storm coming. The ambient sounds of the room told her she was not in Snookers anymore. Probably human traffickers. She saw a whole show about it. The bastards kidnapped her and were going to sell her into sexual slavery; except that she wasn't a teenager. She was 51 years old. Nobody would pay for sex with her, much less risk a felony conviction for it. Any ransom demands sent to her husband were going to have disappointing results, as well. So, what was going on? Why was she here? The kids were in college and wouldn't even notice she was gone until Christmas came. Her friends; her passive-aggressive competitors, if she was being honest; they'd just assume she left in a huff and stiffed them on the lunch check. The cold, hard truth was: nobody cared about her anymore and she knew it. That meant, if she was going to get out of this, she would have to do it herself. Her cheek hurt where it had hit that disgusting bathroom floor and she reached her hand up to touch it. The voices yelped in alarm and Karen opened her eyes to see two figures backing away from the enclosure she was imprisoned in."Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my purse?" she yelled, pushing herself to her feet. She walked toward them, crossing her arms and glaring. "I want whoever is in charge over here right now! I mean it!" she yelled, pointing as she walked toward them. One of the figures screamed, clutched at his ears and doubled over, staggering around the room dramatically. The other, larger one she recognized from the restaurant bathroom was in some tanning-booth-looking-thing, half naked and gorgeous in a likely-sexual-predator kind of way. Rather than flailing around the room, he seemed to have gone into a catatonic trance. God, people were useless. "You! Himbo!" she shouted, pointing at him. "Where is my purse? Did you even think to get it when you kidnapped me, or am I going to miss my Ozempic shot? I hope to God you assholes have good lawyers!"The beefy kidnapper in the tanning booth wobbled, then vomited loudly. Karen snorted as he slid down to the floor, unconscious. Pathetic. The smaller figure dove toward a panel on the wall next to her enclosure and pressed a few buttons and she heard the ambient noise of her room change, like it was encased, somehow."I've muted it. It's become even stronger than before;” Captain Hemsworth gasped, helping Commander Momoa to his feet again."How are we going to get it back to Priam? We could choke it out again every time it awakens; give the privilege out as a reward to the crew?" Commander Momoa suggested eagerly."No," Captain Hemsworth said, coming closer to the force field separating him from the angry Karen still yelling and pointing from inside the enclosure. "The cumulative effects of throttling it constantly might affect its functioning. We need The Karen at full power if we are to rescue Priam. We need to keep it conscious. We must feed it, provide it breathing gasses, and keep it clean; it appears to be constantly decaying. That reminds me ; cleaning duty goes to Ensign Holland. He's still on my shit list after the incident with the Zendayans.""Aye, sir."Captain Hemsworth cleared his throat and pressed another button on the side panel. "Hail Karen, bringer of blessed flaccidity, destroyer of abhorrent lust, and banisher of all erotic thought. We are men of the planet Priam. We mean you no harm. We come to you seeking aid, and we come in peace. Actually, until we found you, we would come almost constantly. It was disgusting. Everything was sticky. You see, our enemies from Eros sent us the most perfect pornographic images disguised in an innocent-looking email attachment. Once they were seen, they could not be unseen. They were burned into our brains, cursing us with perpetual arousal. The first wave of Priamites were taken by surprise once they activated the link. The next wave fell victim when the first wave posted the link on their social media because it was just so unbelievably; anyway, after the rest of our population fell out of curiosity or boredom, our civilization was nearly destroyed. We have been searching the stars for a cure, but to no avail. Then, just as all hope seemed lost, we found you; we heard your voice; and our loins finally withered. You are now a guest on my ship, The Onan, en route to my homeworld Priam. There, we will deliver your noxious, strident sounds to everyone, freeing them from their intransigent arousal. Then, after we are assured that all have been cured, we shall return you to your home."At this, Karen made an unpleasant face and began breathing on the clear wall of her enclosure, fogging it. Then, she quickly wrote a short message. "What does it mean?" Commander Momoa said, squinting at the squiggling lines she had made.At this, the computer made a chirp and began speaking, "The message, from the American dialect of the language English translates to: Why didn't you just make a recording?"Captain Hemsworth's shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes with a sigh. Commander Momoa's eyes went wide and he clapped his hand over his face in exasperation. "Fuck;” Momoa said in realization. "A recording;”"Dammit. We didn't have to take her at all, did we?" Captain Hemsworth groaned.Karen glared at them and wrote another word on the wall. As certain as Captain Hemsworth was that he did not need or want the translation, the computer was already on the job. "'Dumbasses,'" the computer cheerfully intoned, "a colloquial phrase, plural of the insult 'dumbass,' meaning 'a foolish or stupid person.'""End translation. Yes, Karen, if we had thought to record your voice instead of kidnapping you, this might have been a much shorter story, and considerably less inconvenient, but as it is, we are closer to Priam than Earth at this point, and our course is set. We will bring you to Priam and then return you home. Perhaps kidnapping you was not the most well-considered solution, but I defy you to think clearly after constantly watching porn for eons and let me know if you do any better."Karen's new calling.Great; as if getting old wasn't insult enough, I've actually become an intergalactic sexual repellent, Karen thought to herself as she paced around her cell. A lifetime of trying to do things right, and this is what it gets me. She wasn't so surprised that there were aliens in the universe, or that they had somehow weaponized porn, but that with all their advancements they were still so stupid!Sighing, she closed her eyes and listened to the ambient sounds of her cell. Life had been so noisy, the last 30 years. Everyone needing her, pulling on her for one thing or another. No peace. Lately though, with the kids gone and Cal; otherwise occupied; life had gone silent. The silence that she had wished for held no peace when it finally came. It just reverberated with the memory of things that had left her behind, making her anxious to fill the emptiness with noise. Nothing came to lure her mind away from the silence, no pleasurable temptations; her duties were done and it felt wrong to do, or even think about, anything else. My god, she had been kidnapped, was flying through the galaxy, and was surrounded by beefcake aliens and she was still thinking about that stupid loose tile in the master bathroom; she needed to get it fixed before the house was sold.A slight sound outside her cell drew her attention. "Who's there?" Karen asked, softly, opening her eyes.A wide-eyed figure peered around the edge of her cell, moving with cautious curiosity. It seemed younger than the other ones. It moved with a sense of barely-restrained eagerness, adorable and earnest. It also held a curved sort of wand in its hand."Honey, if you're here to anally probe me, I'll pass. I already had a colonoscopy this year, I'll have them send you the records;” she murmured, not expecting an answer.After a pause as the figure listened to the translation, its large eyes got even wider. "Is that how you poop?" he asked."What?" she asked, looking more closely at the young alien."I'm supposed to clean your cell when you poop; but you haven't pooped yet; wait, do colonoscopies make you poop?" it asked, scandalized.Karen closed her eyes and shook her head, "No. Colonoscopies put a small camera up your ass so that we can pay a doctor to do what we were afraid aliens like you would do to us if we got drunk in cornfields too much. They don't make us poop. In fact; well, never mind;” she trailed off, embarrassed.She still had vivid memories of her first colonoscopy earlier in the year, drinking gallons of preparatory laxatives, and the resulting quality time with her phone on the toilet. It was an odd experience; not awful, but not one that she could talk to anyone about. Her friends only talked about their kids and their successes, or whose husband cheated on them with some young thing, viciously salivating over their friends' misery with barely concealed glee. Forget about talking through her fears about it with Cal; that wasn't something he was interested in. Not anymore.After the procedure, she had been scared and disoriented from the sedation. For whatever reason, Cal hadn't shown up to give her a ride home. The stupid clinic wouldn't let her leave until someone could drive her home and take care of her. She just sat there getting more and more anxious. Eventually, she called an Uber and begged Xabiib the driver to pretend to be her neighbor; or just someone who cared about her. She spent the ride home trying to say his name correctly while he chuckled and repeated it for her. It was so horrifyingly embarrassing. It's one thing to have no one care about you, but another thing to have the whole world know about it when you were helpless and confused.Tears had rolled down her cheeks and she absently wiped them off with her hand. The young alien sat up and craned his head to look at the liquid on her hand. Karen snorted, "At ease, Holland. It's not poop. You're not getting anything out of me unless you have some heavy-duty magnesium supplements or yogurt."Holland's eyes went wide, "Are humans telepathic???" he gasped. "How did you know my name? Wow, that's so cool! Do it again! What am I thinking about now?"Karen suppressed a smile. Closing her eyes, she pressed her fingers to her temples and swayed from side to side, mysteriously. "I see something; something in the mist; something about; could it be; no, it makes no sense. Is it; a Zen; Zendayan? Does that make any sense to you?" she asked.Holland dropped his curved instrument in shock. "Yes! Yes! We just met them! We negotiated with them for supplies! I was there to carry stuff and; and;” he paused, shrinking in on himself a bit. "They are so beautiful. The Zendayans? So beautiful; and super nice; and just; like wow; I was supposed to just stand there until they were done with the talking and bowing and stuff, but they were just like so beautiful.""Well, what happened?" Karen asked."Captain introduced me and I bowed to them. I was feeling dizzy because, you know, their beautifulness just keeps radiating off them. Then; then; the most beautiful of them; she smiled." Holland stared at nothing, immersed in the memory, then wobbled, tipped over, and lay on the floor staring at the ceiling.Karen bit her lips in amusement. "I see. What did you do then?""I; I; I started talking and then I just couldn't stop because I was just trying to say how beautiful she was and how it just made my mind explode when she smiled and then I might have peed on the floor.""Oh dear," Karen said, cringing in sympathy. "We don't always put forward the face we want to when we are in our feelings, do we?" she said, quietly."Yeah; I've been cleaning poop ever since;” Holland sighed. After a while he sat back up, picked up the curved instrument and began twirling it in his hands. "So, like; what about you? Have you always made horrible noises?" he asked.Karen huffed, but then she saw the oblivious earnestness in Holland's face and sighed. "No; I wasn't always; like this. In fact, until about 30 years ago, I made beautiful noises. I was a pianist," she said."But, wait, they said you were a female;” Holland said, confused."Pee, an, ist," Karen repeated slowly. "I played the piano. It's an instrument; I was a musician. I was a student at Juilliard. It's a school on Earth; it was like a dream to even get in. I was on a scholarship, living in this shoddy apartment with my roommate Dana;” she trailed off, thinking about those days when everything seemed possible."Wait! Are you remembering?" Holland asked, breaking her reverie. "Can I remember it, too? Nobody wants to remember with me ever since the Zendayans, so I'm just left with my own memories and it gets so boring.""What are you talking about?""Well, it's kinda like; um; let me just show you. Computer, scan The Karen and project her memories," Holland ordered. A humming noise filled the room and a beam of light shot out of the wall and passed over her several times. Suddenly, her cell transformed into her shoddy apartment in Newark, New Jersey."Oh my gosh; it's just like it," Karen gasped looking around."Humans dream of getting into this?" Holland said, scrutinizing a cockroach scurrying along the floor."No, silly. This was our apartment across the river. We lived here when we weren't at school. Dana and I moved off campus in our second year. We took jobs on the side through an agency. That was when;” she sat down and a phone in the apartment's bedroom began ringing.A long, pale arm reached out of a pile of blankets on the bed and grabbed the phone. "Hullo?" Dana mumbled. A voice on the phone sounded irate. "Yeah, I'm almost there," she said and hung up.

In this episode, actress Justine Lupe shares her path from performing as a kid in Denver to training at Juilliard. She opens up about how Juilliard shaped her craft, building the confidence and resilience that would carry her through a career filled with bold, offbeat roles. Lupe discusses her roles in shows like Younger, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Mr. Mercedes, and Succession, explaining her process of learning lines "molecularly" to allow for instinct and impulse. She gives behind-the-scenes insight into joining Succession (originally thinking it was just for two episodes), and how she filmed the first season of Nobody Wants This while pregnant. These are the unforgettable stories that landed Justine Lupe right here. CREDITS: Nobody Wants This Succession The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Younger Madam Secretary Sneaky Pete Snowfall Bull Mr. Mercedes Home Economics The Good Wife Shameless Deadbeat Frances Ha GUEST LINKS: IMDB: Justine Lupe, Actress, Writer, Producer THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS: For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition MAGIC MIND: Get 60% off with code ONEAUDITION60 THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly PATREON: @thatoneaudition CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher EPISODE CREDITS: WRITER: Erin McCluskey WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings ASSISTANT: Elle Powell SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE.  From prescreen recordings and performance auditions to professor connections and portfolio prep, the music admissions process is uniquely challenging. In this episode, we sit down with the experts from Inside Music Schools to unpack everything you need to know about getting into top conservatories and university music programs. Whether you're aiming for Juilliard, Berklee, or a strong music program within a larger university, this conversation is packed with advice to help you stand out. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

This episode we are joined by artist Marianna Gailus!  Marianna was recently Andrew Scott's understudy in Vanya and made her Broadway debut in Patriots starring Michael Stuhlbarg.  She got her MFA at the Juilliard School and is a proud of Group 51.  We speak with Marianna about when she decided to pursue a career in acting, her time at Juilliard, working on Vanya and much more!

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor,Reed Diamond from the film “Drop.” Reed has had a long career working in a constellation of projects, such as “Memphis Belle,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Orphan Black: Echoes” and “Moneyball.” We cover Reed's career highlights, his foundational experiences at Juilliard, and his passion for music. Reed shares insight into his recent projects, including his new film and the joys of working with his family. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS01:49 Reed's Life in Canada and Maine11:20 Reed's Musical Journey27:18 The Magic of Movie Soundtracks33:45 Juilliard Experience34:59 Deciding to Pursue Acting at Julliard36:32 Early Influences and Family Background39:07 First Big Break and Career Beginnings41:29 Memorable Projects and Experiences45:50 The Joy of Acting and Future Aspirations49:08 Personal Life and Family Dynamics54:05 The Seven QuestionsListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #ReedDiamond #Drop #OrphanBlack #Designated Survivor #13ReasonsWhy #BrandonSklenar #MeghannFahy #ViolettBeane #Actor #Acting #storyandcraft #Music #FamilyMan #MoneyBall

Today we're joined by actress Vella Lovell, whose path to the screen began with a childhood dream of Juilliard—sparked by a Babysitters Club character—and eventually led her to the school not once, but twice. Vella currently stars opposite Joel McHale in Fox's Animal Control, returning for its third season in 2025. She previously starred alongside Ted Danson and Holly Hunter in Mr. Mayor, earning a 2021 HCA TV Award nomination for her role as Chief of Staff Mikaela Shaw. She's also beloved for her standout turns as ‘Heather' in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. In this episode, Vella opens up about the intensity of Juilliard's training, booking her first pilot after a silent retreat, and how her background in classical piano unexpectedly informs her comedy work. She talks about navigating set life, the business side of acting no one teaches you, and why it's so important to celebrate the wins—big or small—along the way. These are the unforgettable stories that landed Vella Lovell right here. CREDITS: Animal Control Mr. Mayor Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Dollface The Big Sick Your Place or Mine Younger Girls Gracie and Frankie So Help Me Todd GUEST LINKS: IMDB: Vella Lovell, Actress, Producer, Singer THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS: For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition MAGIC MIND: Get 48% off with code ONEAUDITION20 THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly PATREON: @thatoneaudition CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher EPISODE CREDITS: WRITER: Erin McCluskey WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings ASSISTANT: Elle Powell SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri

Stay Tuned chats with Juilliard graduate, Robert May, on music, growing up a "country boy" moving from NYC to Nashville and how this music style fits in. We also feature Robert's music before and after the show. Also check out upcoming tour dates and new music , including his new Christmas album by searching "Robert May Music".

Mark Bernat is a double bassist currently living in Austin, Texas. His groundbreaking recording and edition of the Six Bach Cello Suites were driving forces that led to their wider adoption in the double bass world. Mark studied at Juilliard and is a former member of the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. He has taught at the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, and Emory University. In Austin, he formed the all-volunteer Red River Ensemble, which aims to bring music into high-stress hospital environments.   We dig into Mark's background, how his approach to practicing Bach has changed over the years, the remarkable accomplishments of his daughter Nina, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Mark's latest recording of all six Bach Cello Suites on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!   Image credit: Photon Corral Photography   Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!   Connect with us: all things double bass double bass merch double bass sheet music   Thank you to our sponsor! Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today! theme music by Eric Hochberg

45 years after graduating from The Juilliard School, I have a chance to chat with my former violin professor there, Lewis Kaplan. At 91, Kaplan is a senior professor of violin and chamber music at Juilliard and is still running 2 Bach Festivals. We chat about the legendary Ivan Galamian, who we both studied with, whether or not I practiced as a student, being a founding member of The Aeolian Chamber Players, the changing art of teaching in the 21st century and more.

On this special episode, Little Kids, Big Hearts host Todd Loyd chats with award-winning composer, lyricist & performer Lance Horne

Join "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guests Stevn Melendez and Wendy Perron.In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® , host Joanne Carey engages with Steven Melendez, the artistic director of New York Theatre Ballet, and Wendy Perron, a dance historian and former editor of Dance Magazine. They discuss the significance of Judson Dance Theater, its impact on modern dance, and how its philosophies resonate with contemporary dance practices.The conversation explores the challenges of restaging historical works, the importance of audience engagement, and the political context of dance as a form of protest and expression.The episode culminates in a preview of an upcoming performance that aims to bridge the past and present of dance April 23-26.The Judson Dance Theater was a pioneering experimental dance collective that operated in New York City from 1962 to 1964. They performed at Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village, known for its social and artistic activism. Judson Dance Theater is widely recognized as a key force in the development of postmodern dance and its avant-garde approach influenced subsequent generations of choreographers. Steven Melendez was born in New York City in 1986 and started his ballet training with the LIFT Program at Ballet School New York at the age of 7. He has danced as a Soloist dancer with Ballet Concierto in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a Principal dancer with The Vanemuine Theater Ballet Company in Tartu, Estonia, and for over 15 years with New York Theatre Ballet. He was a national and international guest artist and teacher and has worked across Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. Steven co-choreographed his first large-scale work, Song Before Spring, for New York Theatre Ballet which was named a Dance Europe critic's choice “Best Premiere” of 2016. Steven is currently a member of the alumni advisory committee on diversity and inclusion for School of American Ballet and served as the Hiland Artistic Director for National Dance Institute New Mexico. Steven was named as the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet in April of 2022Wendy Perron is a dancer/choreographer turned writer/editor/scholar. She trained in modern dance and ballet and earned a BA from Bennington College and an MA from SUNY Empire State College. She danced with the Trisha Brown Company in the 1970s and choreographed more than 40 works for her own group, which received commissions from Lincoln Center Festival, the Joyce Theater, Jacob's Pillow, and the Danspace Project. Perron has taught at Bennington, Princeton, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and the Conservatory at SUNY Purchase. In the early 1990s she served as associate director of Jacob's Pillow. She was the editor in chief of Dance Magazine from 2004 to 2013, and has also written for the New York Times, the Village Voice, vanityfair.com, and journals in Europe and China. An authority on Judson Dance Theater and postmodern dance, Perron has lectured across the country and in Russia and China. In 2011 she was the first dance artist to be inducted into the New York Foundation for the Arts' Hall of Fame. Her second book, The Grand Union: Accidental Anarchists of Downtown Dance, 1970-1975, met with acclaim when it was published in 2020. She has recently performed with Yoshiko Chuma and the School of Hard Knocks in downtown venues. Her new online series, “Unsung Heroes of Dance History,” presents research on dance artists outside the “canon.” She has been on the Juilliard faculty since 2019.To see this performancehttps://nytb.org/tickets“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/Follow Joanne on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave a review! “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

In this emotional and inspiring episode, Theresa Bruno recounts her extraordinary journey from Juilliard-trained concert pianist to award-winning creative director and founder of a multi-million-dollar fine jewelry brand. After a career-ending injury, she pivoted into advertising, secured major clients like Regions Bank, and later launched a jewelry business that caught the attention of The New York Times and even First Lady Michelle Obama. Bruno shares the highs of building a seven-figure brand and the devastating lows of fraud, business collapse, and the tragic loss of her husband. Her story is a masterclass in reinvention and resilience — with powerful insights into grief, identity shifts, and how creativity can be a lifeline through life's darkest chapters. She now channels her purpose into the Soul Talks podcast, her book He's Not Coming Back, and new AI video projects that blend storytelling with emotional healing. Notable Takeaways: Why Juilliard prepared her for both artistic and business risk-taking. How offering to work for free helped her pivot industries successfully. The hidden financial realities of luxury product businesses. Strategies for rebuilding identity and business after deep personal loss. How AI is transforming emotional storytelling in her latest projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Val Kilmer wasn't just an actor – he was a chameleon who disappeared so completely into his roles that the line between performance and reality often blurred. His journey from Hollywood golden boy to cancer survivor reveals the extraordinary price of his artistic devotion.Born on New Year's Eve 1959 in Los Angeles, Kilmer's childhood was both privileged and tragic. Growing up on Roy Rogers' ranch gave him a playground for creativity, but the sudden drowning death of his 15-year-old filmmaker brother Wesley shattered his family and became the ghost that would drive him relentlessly forward. At just 17, he became Juilliard's youngest-ever drama student, displaying the singular focus that would define his career.Kilmer's method approach yielded unforgettable performances – from the cold, calculated Iceman in "Top Gun" to his transformative embodiment of Jim Morrison that fooled even The Doors themselves. As Doc Holliday in "Tombstone," he delivered perhaps his most beloved performance, crafting a character of lethal charm and vulnerability. Yet his perfectionism and intensity earned him a reputation as "difficult" that eventually overshadowed his undeniable talent, leading to professional exile just when he seemed unstoppable.When Hollywood turned away, Kilmer reinvented himself through a deeply personal one-man show about his hero Mark Twain. Then came the cruelest twist – throat cancer that robbed him of his powerful voice through treatment that saved his life but permanently altered it. Even in this devastating setback, Kilmer showed remarkable resilience, embracing technology to preserve his voice through AI and making a poignant return in "Top Gun: Maverick" that acknowledged his real-life struggle.In his own words: "I have behaved poorly, I have behaved bravely, I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets." Val Kilmer's legacy transcends his filmography – it's a testament to artistic commitment, personal reinvention, and the courage to face life's harshest challenges without surrendering your essential self.Join Kyle Ploof, Ben Kissel and Alejandro Dowling as they raise a toast to the man, the legend: Mr. Val Kilmer.Send us a message!Support the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

Meg explains the wildly exclusionary practices of co-op boards and their unspoken policy of NOKD (not our kind, dear). Jessica eulogizes Val Kilmer, the chameleon actor who ruled the 80s with his roles in Top Gun, Top Secret, and Real Genius.Please check out our website, follow us on Instagram, on Facebook, and...WRITE US A REVIEW HEREWe'd LOVE to hear from you! Let us know if you have any ideas for stories HEREThank you for listening!Love,Meg and Jessica

In this episode of The Piano Pod, Mastering Musical Heritage—Exploring Spanish Piano Traditions and Embracing Puerto Rican Identity, I had the privilege of speaking with José Ramos Santana, a Steinway Artist and one of the foremost interpreters of Spanish and Latin American piano music. This conversation is a deep dive into the passion, heritage, and evolution of Spanish and Caribbean piano traditions.From the expressive genius of Albéniz, Granados, and de Falla to the rich cultural legacy of Puerto Rican composers, José shares his insights on interpreting this repertoire with authenticity and heart. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to Juilliard, the mentorship of Alicia de Larrocha, and his ongoing mission to mentor the next generation of pianists through meaningful cultural connection.

Steak and Butter Gal Heals Herself and Starts a Healing Gang: Scott and Bella discuss their health journeys and the benefits of a Carnivore Diet. Bella, a Juilliard-trained pianist with 451,000 Instagram followers, shares her experience with pancreatic cancer in her family, which led her to prioritize health. She transitioned from a vegan diet to a strict carnivore diet, which cured her autoimmune psoriasis. Scott, a 47-year-old fitness enthusiast and founder, emphasizes the importance of a clean, unprocessed diet and the benefits of beef tallow for skin health. They also discuss the community aspect of the carnivore lifestyle and upcoming events like the Carnivore Cruise and various meetups. Scott and Bella discuss various carnivore diet related topics, including a meat crust pizza made from chicken, which Bella shares on her YouTube channel with 452,000 subscribers. Steak and Butter Gal also mentions their husband's upcoming cookbook. Meatatarian: "A Sane, Rational Person Who Only Wants To Eat Meat." ~ Dr. Anthony Chaffee MDYour Co-Host Today: ​Bella aka @SteakandButterGal is a 6 year carnivore and she has a masters of music degree in piano performance from Juilliard. Steak and Butter Gal, aka Bella, is a classically trained concert pianist and the founder of The Steak & Butter Gang. She graduated from The Juilliard School's Graduate Program with a Master of Music Degree (MM). Having been active in the educational and competitive spheres of performance since the age of five, she has experienced the correlation between nutrition and cognitive function firsthand. Bella has healed her autoimmune and health issues with the Carnivore Diet. Today, she continues to advocate the power of Carnivore through her Youtube Channel and The Steak & Butter Gang Carnivore Community.Today's Top 3 Takeaways: Prioritize your health above all else, meat heals my friends! Carnivore Lifestyle choices for defeating autoimmune conditions like Psoriasis. Healthy Carivore Community support with the Steak and Butter Gang.Today's Guest Co-Host Links: http://sbgmeatup.com/https://sbg-s-meat-up.mn.co/https://www.instagram.com/steakandbuttergal/Recipes from Bella's Cafe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Llwc8xrYQW_wvRlSLrtPL9ViNu5uSol Mentioned Influencers: Hack Your Health Conference - https://hackyourhealth.com/ Meat Stock 2025 - https://www.lowcarbevents.com/event/meatstock-2025/ Kelly Hogan - https://www.instagram.com/kelly_hogan91/ Dr. Anthony Chaffee - https://www.howtocarnivore.com/Dr. Lisa Wiedeman - https://www.instagram.com/carnivoredoctor/Doctor Kiltz -

In our journey together, we've explored the creative processes of authors, songwriters, interior designers, architects, and even scientists. Each guest has shared unique insights into how they bring their ideas to life and push creative boundaries. Today, we continue that journey with someone who knows all about transforming the 'impossible' into reality—Melissa Dinwiddie.Melissa's website -- https://melissadinwiddie.comMelissa's Instagram -- @a_creative_lifeMelissa's YouTube channel -- https://youtube.com/@MelissaDinwiddieMelissa's LinkedIn -- https://linkedin.com/in/melissadinwiddieSpecial Offer: Get book excerpt -- https://bit.ly/YWoCthankyouFrom dreaming of Juilliard as a teenager to now empowering leaders and teams through her Create the Impossible™ keynotes and workshops, Melissa has mastered the art of making big dreams come true.Your journey from taking your first dance class at 16 to attending Juilliard just three years later is inspiring. What mindset shifts did you have to embrace to turn what seemed impossible into reality, and how do you help others do the same?You have such an eclectic background—calligraphy, jazz singing, and now corporate innovation coaching. How have these diverse creative experiences influenced your approach to fostering innovation in major companies like Google and Meta?Your book, The Creative Sandbox Way™, encourages readers to play and experiment. What role does playfulness have in achieving breakthrough innovation, especially in high-pressure corporate environments?You work with analytical minds, helping them adopt a creative mindset, skillset, and toolkit. What are some common challenges these individuals face, and how do you guide them past those barriers?Your workshops and retreats are known for being highly interactive and results-driven. Can you share a standout success story where a team truly embraced your approach and achieved remarkable outcomes?Listeners, if you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to leave us a review—it helps more creative minds like you discover the show. And don't forget to tune in next time, when we'll continue to explore the many facets of creativity with another incredible guest.A big thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee Roasters. Enjoy a 10% discount when you use the code CREATIVITY at checkout. Visit whitecloudcoffee.com to grab your next favorite brew.

Listen up, you Saddle goose! Marc Roberts, former Blue Man Group performer and inventor of "The Bebot Bit", stops by The Churn. We recall stories about performing theater at The Juilliard of Missouri, creepy old man reveals, what happens when you go off your meds to get drunk, and creating a minor league mascot from scratch.SPONSOR: Brought to you by Winnie's Poo Wipes.

Casey Anthony is back in the public eye after posting a video to TikTok preparing to advocate for herself and her late daughter, Caylee. Meanwhile, Juilliard-trained pianist Zachary Hughes was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison for killing 41-year-old Christina Parcell. And in New Jersey, suspected murderer Matthew Hertgen attempted to commit suicide inside his jail cell. He's been charged with violently murdering his brother and pet cat.   Retired NYPD Inspector, Attorney, and FOX News Contributor Paul Mauro provides his analysis of the latest developments within these cases. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@fox.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Gad (In Gad We Trust, Frozen, Book of Mormon) is a Grammy Award-winning actor. Josh returns to Armchair Expert to discuss why he believes he would be the Unsinkable Molly Brown on the Titanic, the unthinkable bravery and precision of LA firefighters, and questions whether Dax thinks he would've ended up as an Ira Glass or a Howard Stern. Josh and Dax talk about having permission to send Kumail Nanjiani shirtless pics, growing up without his emerald kingpin father, and how his comedy was born out of the despair from his parents' divorce. Josh explains bombing his audition to Juilliard, how Disney became the salve to soothe loss in his life, and the acknowledgment of being your own worst enemy as long as you come out the other side.Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.