Episode 151: Judy Jean Kwon, Creative

This episode generously sponsored by:

Judy calls herself a Creative. She’s an actress, a comic, a writer, producer, podcaster, creator…she does all the things. Her webseries, MILFriend will be screened on March 22nd at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres at the Golden State Festival. She tells us all about it on the show, along with her very interesting personal story, and being perfectly poised to have great success during the United Colors of Benetton advertising era.

And this: it’s not enough to just have representation. She wants to hear narratives of the other point of view. She calls it “the other point of views.”

You can find more about Judy here.

Episode 150: Amanda Blumenthal, Intimacy Coordinator

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Today we have something new - new for the podcast and new for the industry. I sat down with Amanda Blumenthal who is one of a handful of people working in the new position called “Intimacy Coordinator.” She is currently working on the HBO show called Euphoria. She breaks down for us what that job really entails, how her unique background, education and work history prepared her perfectly for it, and the real need for this position on a set. It makes total sense and it’s one of those things that makes you hit your forehead with your palm and ask why haven’t we always had this!? You can reach Amanda via her website here: intimacycoordinator.com.

Episode 149: Jenny Buccos, Director, Producer, Explorer

This episode generously sponsored by:

Jenny is a multi-award winning director and producer of the long running program called Project Explorer, and the founder of Project Explorer.org. which is a free multimedia website designed to educate kids about global cultures and histories. She has explored six continents, in over 500 episodes, and has met incredible people and seen amazing places.

She is currently working on a television show to bring this programming to an even wider audience. Jenny is incredibly purpose driven, an explorer, an entrepreneur, and is living her mission every day. I am very inspired by her and I’m sure you will be too.

Episode 148: Ayser Salman, Author

This episode generously sponsored by:

Today I interviewed my friend, Ayser Salman, for the second time, because her book, The Wrong End of the Table: A Mostly Comic Memoir of a Muslim Arab American Woman Just Trying to Fit in is coming out on March 5th, so I wanted to have her on to talk about it. She was previously on episode 47, so that was awhile ago and if I am remembering correctly, it was hilarious, and maybe because we were having wine and cheese. So, if you want to hear her entire story, go listen to that episode, or more relevantly, buy her book. Which you can order here.

Get the book

Episode 145: Eden Young and Catherine Natale, Creators

I got to speak with the creators of the webseries called All About Manos – Eden Young and Catherine Natale. Eden is an actor and stand-up comedian turned creator and Catherine is also an actor and writer turned creator. They will tell us all about the show and how they came to do it. You can find All About Manos at allaboutmanostv.com and on a bunch of digital platforms including Amazon Prime. They are killing it on the festival circuit also.

We recorded remotely, and it must have been during Mercury Retrograde, because it took us several tries on several platforms before we got something to work. So, the audio quality could be better, but this conversation couldn’t be. They are a delight.

Episode 143: Lisa Ebersole, Talented Multi

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For today’s episode I sat down with creator Lisa Ebersole. Lisa created and stars in the webseries called “37 Problems,” which you can find on Amazon Prime and Who Ha Ha. The series is a comedy about a woman facing the end of her fertility and what she is going to do about it.

She is also a playwright, whose plays have been produced off-broadway and regionally, and a screenwriters coach. We talked about what it takes to raise the money and produce a webseries and get distribution. It’s a whole thing.

check out the BRIC Foundation Summit here: https://bricfoundation.org/2019summit/

Episode 141: Kim Gruenenfelder, Author

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For episode 141 I sat down with Kim Gruenenfelder. Kim is a bestselling author known for writing romantic comedy fiction novels. I have read most of her books and had so much fun talking with her. Her debut novel, "A Total Waste of Makeup", has been published in six languages and eight international editions to date, and is followed by a sequel, "Misery Loves Cabernet". "Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink" is a sequel to 2010's "There's Cake in My Future." Her fifth published novel, "Love The Wine You're With", which details the adventures of a group of friends who open a wine bar, was released in 2017. Her current novel "Hangovers and Hot Flashes", available now, follows the lives of protagonists in their forties. Who knew that writing a book about women in their 40’s would be controversial, but turns out it is. She will tell us all about it.

Apologies in advance to fur parents of fur babies.

check out the BRIC Foundation Summit here: https://bricfoundation.org/2019summit/

Episode 135: apparentlyjack, Jacqueline Legan and Katie Koeblitz

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Jacqueline is a veteran Director of Video Production, and currently the Founder and Executive Producer at apparentlyjack. Jacqueline’s background spans almost every aspect of the filmmaking process from development to delivery, in both the branded and Independent film spaces with films and commercials starring well known Directors and Talent.    

With over ten years producing Independent Film, Katie is currently the Head of Independent Content at apparentlyjack. Katie’s production background includes work on both narrative and documentary feature films. Most recently, Katie produced documentaries G-Funk, A More Civil War, and The Untitled MMW Documentary. On the narrative side, Katie co-produced The Land, Galveston, and also had a hand in the coming-of-age film The Kings of Summer, which premiered at Sundance.                      

After many years in the advertising and film  industries, Jacqueline decided to go out on her own to form the content studio, apparentlyjack. apparentlyjack’s mission is to bring cinematic storytelling and storyline driven content to brands and independent film in a variety of formats.               

apparentlyjack champions equality, diversity, and inclusivity both behind and in front of the     camera. They have dedicated a portion of the company to empowering and mentoring other   women in entertainment and are working with various organizations to reach gender parity   by 2020.  For more information about apparentlyjack, visit www.apparentlyjack.com.     

Episode 133: Ally Iseman, Actor, Writer, Producer

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Ally is an actor, writer, and producer. She has worked on stage in productions like Jekyll & Hyde, as well as on screens big and small including shows like American Housewife, Criminal Minds, and Days of Our Lives. Ally makes an appearance in Nicole Conn's newest feature film Nesting Doll, in Jorge Xolalpa Jr.'s latest feature A Giant Without A Head, and as a lead opposite Ray Wise and Bonnie Bedelia in the feature film Life On The Rocks.

Ally has spoken on numerous panels about gender parity and intersectional, inclusive feminism and does her best to align herself with work that has an eye on advocacy. Her internationally award-winning film Wedlocked, an LGBTQ comedy about gay divorce toured at over 45 film festivals worldwide securing digital, broadcast and theatrical distribution.

Most recently she can be seen in the feature film Solver, hosting the new plant-based food travel show The Road Less Eaten, and in her gender parity comedy series Flip the Script, which is being produced in partnership with Women In Film. 

Ally is driven, fearless, and hilarious. Grab your tea and enjoy some time with us.

You can find out more about Ally here: www.allyiseman.com.

Episode 131: Monique Sorgen, Writer, Director

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Monique is a writer and director of TV and film. After graduating from UCLA, Monique worked as a director’s assistant in television dramas and comedies. She then made a short film, Pants on Fire, which garnered international distribution and led to writing jobs such as “Blind Date,” and for variety and alternative shows on Comedy Central, and VH1; after which she landed a staff position at ABC in a development think tank.

Monique has also written the feature films The Babymaker, a Chinese remake of the film Love Stinks, Rock n’ Roll Princess, and All the Way Down. In 2014, she was selected as a finalist for the ABC TV writing program. During this time, Monique also completed her first novel, How Long You Should Wait to Have Sex.

Her most recent directing work includes several music videos, a web series pilot, and 3 unscripted series for the international network Fashion One, which she produced in the Philippines.  

There is more, but I will let her tell it in the interview. Also, she has many stories about being the only woman in a writer’s room. Let’s just say it wasn’t awesome, but it does seem to be getting better.

Now, a brief disclaimer. We conducted this interview outside in a park. So, there is plenty of ambient noise of children, traffic, and an ill-times roofer across the street. Pretend you are on a nature walk and having this conversation with Monique. It will be worth it, I promise.

You can reach Monique here:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/moniquesorgen 

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/moniquesorgen

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/moniquesorgenlove/

Website: https://sorgenm.wixsite.com/moniquesorgen

New Short Film website: https://sorgenm.wixsite.com/sorrynotsorry

Short film twitter: https://twitter.com/NotSorryFilm 

Book: "HOW LONG YOU SHOULD WAIT TO HAVE SEX" on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Long-Should-Wait-Have-ebook/dp/B00CCH4VIQ

Episode 130: Ellen Gerstein, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

This episode is brought to you by:

Ellen is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and actor. She is a member of: Women In Film, The Alliance of Women Directors, LA Film Team, Film Independent, The Actors Studio and SAG-AFTRA. Apart from having a million credits in film, television and theatre, she has also worked as a psychotherapist, and a stand-up comic.

Without sounding too biased, this is one of my very favorite interviews. If you have ever studied acting in New York, this will take you back. Ellen is delicious, and prepare yourself, you are about to fall in love with her.

You can find Ellen here: www.ellengerstein.com

Episode 129: Sue Obeidi, Director of MPAC's Hollywood Bureau

This episode is brought to you by:

Sue is the Director of the Hollywood Bureau of the Muslim Public Affairs Council or MPAC. Since MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau was launched in 2011, Sue has blended the love of her faith with her love of film, television, and digital series to change and expand the narrative of Islam and Muslims in the entertainment industry.

Behind the scenes, Sue engages decision makers and creatives to improve the quality and number of authentic, nuanced, and inclusive presentations of Islam and Muslims so that audiences can see Muslims as vital contributors to creating social and cultural change in America and around the world. She also enriches the pool of Muslim talent in Hollywood by nurturing and connecting them to those who can assist with their careers, both on the creative and business sides of the industry.

In 2017, Sue was chosen for Variety's Inclusion Impact Report as one of 60 changemakers making the entertainment industry more inclusive.

We had a great and timely conversation.

Click here to get tickets for the convention for Advancing America Toward Justice on November 10th.

Episode 127: Krista Hovsepian, Actor, Writer, Producer

This episode is brought to you by:

Krista is an actor, writer and producer and stars in the webseries she created, “Wholesome Foods I love you….is that OK?” Originally from Canada, she has done many things in her life from synchronized swimming to a masters in visual anthropology. She is a true Californian at heart though, as you will hear in our conversation.

Find her webseries here.

Episode 126: Nell Scovell, Writer, Director

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For this episode I got to interview Nell Scovell. Nell wrote JUST THE FUNNY PARTS ... And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys’ Club. This is an hilarious must read. I read it twice and ate it whole. In addition to that gem of a book, Nell Scovell is a television and magazine writer, producer, director and collaborator on the #1 New York Times bestseller Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.

She is the creator of the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and her TV writing credits include The Simpsons, Coach, Monk, Murphy Brown, Charmed and NCIS. She has directed two movies for cable television and an episode of Awkward.

She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Vogue, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. This was very exciting for me, and hopefully for you too.

Episode 123: Chelsea Rivera and Taylor C. Baker, Showrunners, Actors

This episode brought to you by:

Chelsea and Taylor have a series on Seeka TV called Female Friendly, about two unemployed friends who decided to start a female friendly porn production company. They are Writers, Producers and Actors, and we had a great time chatting at my table. They tell me all about their journey finding their way in Hollywood and all the creeps that have offered to sleep with them to help their careers. And spoiler alert, you don’t need to sleep with creeps to make it in Hollywood.

And what does sexy mean, anyway?

You can find their series here: http://www.femalefriendlyseries.com/

Episode 120: Maura Knowles, Actor, Writer, Singer, Producer, Entrepreneur

This episode is brought to you by:

Maura is an actor, singer, producer, writer and entrepreneur. In addition to her plentiful film, TV, theatre and commercial credits, she has written a hilarious musical tv show based on her very tragic life experiences, called Insult to Injury. As everyone knows, tragedy + time = comedy. You will be able to see her soon on the beloved Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, where she recently shot an episode.

If all that weren’t enough, Maura a.k.a, Mo, the Morselist, is also an Integrative Certified Health Coach and professional recipe developer. As a Key-note guest speaker and writer, Mo has taught workshops and classes focusing on topics such as, Immune Boosting, Eating a Rainbow for both kids and adults, Detoxing with Real-Whole foods, Eating Clean and Green, A Morselicious Lifestyle and Morselifying or modifying recipes, encouraging her Mo’s 85/15 Rule; 85 % of the time, eat clean-real, low-sugar, low-sodium foods, get plenty of exercise and allow yourself 15% wiggle room. Mo does not believe in deprivation or fad diets. Maintaining a sustainable, clean, green and MORSELICIOUS Lifestyle-diet is her mission. She is an Expert in low-sugar, low-sodium, gluten and grain-free (unprocessed), REAL FOOD, plant-rich, non-GMO foods.

And here is something we have in common that we share on the episode – tap dance audition horror stories. You're welcome.

You can find more about Maura on her websites: mauramknowles.com and macnmos.com

Episode 115: Monica Levinson, Producer, Production Executive

This episode is generously sponsored by:

Monica is the President of Production for ShivHans Pictures and comes from a long line of working women in her family. In fact, her grandmother owned a liquor store and her mother started the First Women’s Bank of Maryland.

Monica produced Bruno, Borat and Zoolander (to name a few), and she was the production supervisor on Private Parts. Check out her IMDB, you will be impressed.

We got real about the business and how to balance self-preservation with ambition in this male-dominated industry.  When do you speak up vs when do you send your message through other channels? Do you want to be right or do you want to be effective?

Episode 103: Stevie Wynne Levine - Executive Producer

Stevie Wynne Levine, acts as the SVP of Production & Development for Mythical Entertainment and spearheads all creative initiatives for Rhett & Link. A Webby, Streamy, and Shorty Award-Winning Executive Producer, Stevie was named one of Variety’s “Hollywood’s New Leaders.” The only bummer was that particular issue of Variety had the giant portrait of Harvey Weinstein on it. Because he ruins everything.

She was an integral part of building the Internet's most-watched daily show, "Good Mythical Morning," serving as Executive Producer for the past five years, along with overseeing the duo's scripted show, "Rhett & Link's Buddy System," their podcast, "Ear Biscuits," and various other pieces of content racking up billions of views.

Previously Stevie was fortunate enough to produce for some of YouTube’s top talent and leading new media companies including Mondo Media, Studio71, and Red Hour Digital.

She is a force to be reckoned with and a talent to watch.

Episode 98: Natasha Feldman, Actor, Host, Chef

Natasha is an Actor, Host and a Chef. She has a cooking show called Nosh with Tash, which you can find here. She started out as an actor and studied abroad but kept getting distracted by the farmer’s markets and the freshly baked bread.

Her mission is to make cooking accessible and fun for people who like to eat. Which is everyone. Not only is she incredibly charming and a great host, she is also very well educated and really knows what she’s talking about. Her first show was called Cinema and Spice and got picked up by Yahoo.

I think she’s the next big TV food person, but I’ll let you be the judge.

She also has a great sense of humor about her internet trolls.

Episode 97: Sujata Day, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

Sujata is an Actor. She is known for her roles as Sarah on HBO’s Insecure, and as CeCe in the precursor to that show, Awkward Black Girl. She is also a Writer, Producer, and Director and has several other shorts and series produced as well as more projects in development.

We talked about what it’s like to be a woman of color in Hollywood when you don’t really fit into other people’s preconceived notions. We also talked about this year’s very promising pilot season that features many characters of color that are not caricatures, but rather real people. Things are looking up!