Motherhood in Hollywood

**The Brookers on What Being Married for 20 Years is Really Like** Apr 24, 2021
As I sit here, days away from an epic milestone of being married for 20 years, I have to pinch myself. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Chris Brooker. After being married for 20 years, people ask me all the time how we “make it work” or “what’s your secret” and I usually just give the same response: respect, laughter and a lot prayer. We love each other very much but as we’ve learned over our 20+ year relationship, love alone isn’t enough.

Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

You have to add respect to that. Ultimately, as cheesy as it sounds, Chris is my best friend. He knows how I feel about everything, and then how I REALLY feel about everything. He knows my heart, good and bad and all the mistakes I’ve made, and loves me anyway. And lest you think I’m putting him on a pedestal, he’ll be the first to tell you I also know how he REALLY feels about everything, good and bad. We are symbiotic about our goals, and values.

All of that being said, we don’t agree on everything. We have lively debates, get annoyed with each other, and frustrated just like everyone else. But the one thing that remains, is our respect. You wouldn’t treat your best friend with disrespect so why would you do that with your spouse? We also are humble enough to know when we need to apologize. I have no problem telling Chris I’m sorry if I’ve hurt his feelings and he feels the same way.

Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

We are as in love as we were 20 years ago, but it’s a deeper, more mature love. And I can’t wait to honor our commitment to each other on a beach in Maui. We’re planning an intimate vow renewal on the beach and I will probably cry like a baby. But to be fair, so will Chris. Channing is going to be our flower girl and she is so excited!

Make sure you follow along on my Instagram and TikTok to see all of the adventures we have planned. We are staying at the newly renovated Westin Maui Resort and Spa and I can’t wait to show you all around this beautiful property.

We also breakdown the 2021 Oscar nominees and why we think ratings are declining. Tell us if you agree!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

uptv when we last spoke — **Lacy and Darby Camp on ‘When We Last Spoke’ on UPTV** Mar 29, 2021
I was so excited to talk to Lacy Camp and her daughter Darby Camp about their acting careers! This mother daughter duo are teaming with talent. So much so, they are both starring in the new UPTV movie “When We Last Spoke.” Darby plays a younger version of the character her mom plays named Juliet.

“When We Last Spoke” airs April 4 on UPTV.

“When We Last Spoke” is set in 1967. Two rambunctious sisters are abandoned and raised by doting grandparents and one wacky great-grandmother in the fictional southern town of Fireside. Humor, heartbreak and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship and forgiveness.

Lacy has been on a ton of projects like “Vice Principals,” “Outcast” and “Red Band Society.” She tells me her daughter showed a natural talent for acting at a young age. And at 13, she’s got a resume most adults would dream of. She starred as Reese Witherspoon’s daughter in “Big Little Lies” when she was just 9. And you’ll recognize her from “The Christmas Chronicles” movies and the upcoming “Clifford the Big Red Dog” movie where she plays Emily Elizabeth. I loved hearing how supportive Lacy is of Darby’s career and how well they work together.

Lacy and Darby Camp

It was also interesting to hear the perspective of working actors that doesn’t live in NYC or Los Angeles. The Camps live in North Carolina where they enjoy a quiet, non-Hollywood life (and I imagine it’s also much cheaper!) We talked about how they navigate auditions, and working on set. It was very inspiring to hear that it is possible to be successful in this business without living in the two most expensive cities.

Take a minute to listen to their story and don’t forget to watch them in “When We Last Spoke” April 4th on UPTV!

“When We Last Spoke” was filmed on location in Toccoa, Georgia. The movie was adapted from the book written by Executive Producer, Marci Henna. It was directed by Joanne Hock (“The Ultimate Legacy,” “Purple Dreams”) and produced by Rick Eldridge (“The Ultimate Gift,” “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius”) and Fred Miller (“For All Mankind,” “Angles Sing”).

The film stars Corbin Bernsen (“Major League,” “L.A. Law”), Melissa Gilbert (“Little House on the Prairie”), Chandler Head (“The Glass Castle,” “Fosse/Verdon”), Darby Camp, (“Big Little Lies,” “The Christmas Chronicles”) and Academy Award winner, Cloris Leachman (“The Last Picture Show,” “Young Frankenstein”).

lacy and darby camp — **Lacy and Darby Camp on ‘When We Last Spoke’ on UPTV** Mar 29, 2021
I was so excited to talk to Lacy Camp and her daughter Darby Camp about their acting careers! This mother daughter duo are teaming with talent. So much so, they are both starring in the new UPTV movie “When We Last Spoke.” Darby plays a younger version of the character her mom plays named Juliet.

“When We Last Spoke” airs April 4 on UPTV.

“When We Last Spoke” is set in 1967. Two rambunctious sisters are abandoned and raised by doting grandparents and one wacky great-grandmother in the fictional southern town of Fireside. Humor, heartbreak and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship and forgiveness.

Lacy has been on a ton of projects like “Vice Principals,” “Outcast” and “Red Band Society.” She tells me her daughter showed a natural talent for acting at a young age. And at 13, she’s got a resume most adults would dream of. She starred as Reese Witherspoon’s daughter in “Big Little Lies” when she was just 9. And you’ll recognize her from “The Christmas Chronicles” movies and the upcoming “Clifford the Big Red Dog” movie where she plays Emily Elizabeth. I loved hearing how supportive Lacy is of Darby’s career and how well they work together.

Lacy and Darby Camp

It was also interesting to hear the perspective of working actors that doesn’t live in NYC or Los Angeles. The Camps live in North Carolina where they enjoy a quiet, non-Hollywood life (and I imagine it’s also much cheaper!) We talked about how they navigate auditions, and working on set. It was very inspiring to hear that it is possible to be successful in this business without living in the two most expensive cities.

Take a minute to listen to their story and don’t forget to watch them in “When We Last Spoke” April 4th on UPTV!

“When We Last Spoke” was filmed on location in Toccoa, Georgia. The movie was adapted from the book written by Executive Producer, Marci Henna. It was directed by Joanne Hock (“The Ultimate Legacy,” “Purple Dreams”) and produced by Rick Eldridge (“The Ultimate Gift,” “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius”) and Fred Miller (“For All Mankind,” “Angles Sing”).

The film stars Corbin Bernsen (“Major League,” “L.A. Law”), Melissa Gilbert (“Little House on the Prairie”), Chandler Head (“The Glass Castle,” “Fosse/Verdon”), Darby Camp, (“Big Little Lies,” “The Christmas Chronicles”) and Academy Award winner, Cloris Leachman (“The Last Picture Show,” “Young Frankenstein”).

framing britney spears — **Exploring the New Docs ‘Fake Famous’ and ‘Framing Britney Spears’** Feb 08, 2021

You know I love a good documentary! Two new documentaries have the Internet buzzing this week and we need to talk about them. The first is “Fake Famous,” a documentary from former *New York Times* and *Vanity Fair* reporter Nick Bilton. It follows three people who claim to want to be famous, at any cost and explores how easy it is to create fame on platforms like Instagram.

Courtesy: FX/The New York Post

The second documentary called “Framing Britney Spears” was trending all weekend on Twitter. The doc was produced by *The New York Post* and is available on FX via Hulu. It aims to delve into the mystery surrounding pop star Britney Spears and why she has been under a conservatorship overseen by her father for the past 12 years. She’s basically dropped out of the spotlight in the last few years, except for the occasional erratic social media post of her dancing. And fans who are concerned for her well-being have started the #FreeBritney movement in an effort to get her out from under her father’s conservatorship.

Chris joins me this week to talk about what these documentaries got right, and what they got wrong. And in the case of “Fake Famous” there is a lot of things they got right when it comes to people buying followers, likes and bot comments. But the film also never gets the perspective of anyone working on social media at Instagram or any other social platform. The movie mostly focuses on Instagram and how easy it is to fake your following. In fact, the main star of the film ends up getting signed by a big agency and books acting work based off of her fake following. But it also never offers a resolution to this obvious flaw in the social media system. Where is the oversight? Who is making sure these fake influencers are held accountable and why are brands so willing to give them money and product just for a post on the gram?

Courtesy: HBO

I have been called an influencer myself and have first hand knowledge of what it looks like to be “famous” on the internet. I’ve always hated the term “influencer” but it’s now an industry standard term so I gotta roll with it. I don’t feel like I have the ability to influence anyone to do something they don’t want to do. But I am a content creator and I love sharing about my life online, which I hope resonates with people. I see the good side, and dark side of “influencing” and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

As for “Framing Britney Spears” there’s a ton to dissect in this one. Britney rose to fame when she was very young. Then had several very public heartbreaks, and public meltdowns before her father took control of her finances and well-being. This film explores the years leading up to that, and what has happened since. Most notable, her recent request to regain control of her finances was denied with little to no explanation.

Chris and I decided to try something new this week! We recorded the show live on the Clubhouse app where listeners could interact and join in the conversation with us. It was really fun! My friend and Bravo TV star Meghan Conroy-Resich joined us as a moderator and jumped right into the conversation. If you haven’t heard of the Clubhouse app yet it’s the hottest new app where people are trying to make their mark. It’s audio only and listeners can request to join whatever conversation is going on and ask questions or speak their mind. I’ve really been enjoying it so make sure you follow me and engage with us on future episodes!

fake famous — **Exploring the New Docs ‘Fake Famous’ and ‘Framing Britney Spears’** Feb 08, 2021

You know I love a good documentary! Two new documentaries have the Internet buzzing this week and we need to talk about them. The first is “Fake Famous,” a documentary from former *New York Times* and *Vanity Fair* reporter Nick Bilton. It follows three people who claim to want to be famous, at any cost and explores how easy it is to create fame on platforms like Instagram.

Courtesy: FX/The New York Post

The second documentary called “Framing Britney Spears” was trending all weekend on Twitter. The doc was produced by *The New York Post* and is available on FX via Hulu. It aims to delve into the mystery surrounding pop star Britney Spears and why she has been under a conservatorship overseen by her father for the past 12 years. She’s basically dropped out of the spotlight in the last few years, except for the occasional erratic social media post of her dancing. And fans who are concerned for her well-being have started the #FreeBritney movement in an effort to get her out from under her father’s conservatorship.

Chris joins me this week to talk about what these documentaries got right, and what they got wrong. And in the case of “Fake Famous” there is a lot of things they got right when it comes to people buying followers, likes and bot comments. But the film also never gets the perspective of anyone working on social media at Instagram or any other social platform. The movie mostly focuses on Instagram and how easy it is to fake your following. In fact, the main star of the film ends up getting signed by a big agency and books acting work based off of her fake following. But it also never offers a resolution to this obvious flaw in the social media system. Where is the oversight? Who is making sure these fake influencers are held accountable and why are brands so willing to give them money and product just for a post on the gram?

Courtesy: HBO

I have been called an influencer myself and have first hand knowledge of what it looks like to be “famous” on the internet. I’ve always hated the term “influencer” but it’s now an industry standard term so I gotta roll with it. I don’t feel like I have the ability to influence anyone to do something they don’t want to do. But I am a content creator and I love sharing about my life online, which I hope resonates with people. I see the good side, and dark side of “influencing” and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

As for “Framing Britney Spears” there’s a ton to dissect in this one. Britney rose to fame when she was very young. Then had several very public heartbreaks, and public meltdowns before her father took control of her finances and well-being. This film explores the years leading up to that, and what has happened since. Most notable, her recent request to regain control of her finances was denied with little to no explanation.

Chris and I decided to try something new this week! We recorded the show live on the Clubhouse app where listeners could interact and join in the conversation with us. It was really fun! My friend and Bravo TV star Meghan Conroy-Resich joined us as a moderator and jumped right into the conversation. If you haven’t heard of the Clubhouse app yet it’s the hottest new app where people are trying to make their mark. It’s audio only and listeners can request to join whatever conversation is going on and ask questions or speak their mind. I’ve really been enjoying it so make sure you follow me and engage with us on future episodes!

golden globe noms — **Golden Globe and SAG Noms Are Next Week. Do You Care?** Jan 28, 2021
Listen, we’ve all got a lot on our plates these days. Between the pandemic, the insurrection, and a crumbling economy, who really has time to worry about the Golden Globe or the SAG Awards noms? Well, Hollywood does! Every year without fail, the stars drag out their botoxed butts to get their accolades and this year will be no exception.

Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 SAG Awards.

But this year will look difference because the nominations will be virtual as will most of the awards shows. The Academy Awards still haven’t confirmed whether they are having an in-person event but they have until April to decide. So for now, I’ll be covering the celebrations from my couch. Which should be a celebration in itself! I dread major awards shows. As a multimedia journalist, I do everything on my own. I shoot, write, edit and produce my own content for work so being able to work from home makes my job exponentially easier.

Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Academy Awards.

And although I do love getting that awesome shot in front of the Oscars sign, I spend the next 5 hours standing shoulder to shoulder with press from around the world all vying for a soundbite from whatever stars will stop and talk to us. Most of them don’t, to be honest. Either their publicists tell them to only talk to the big outlets, or they just don’t want to stop. But I stand there without fail, calling their names in the hopes they will come over and give me a quick interview that will be outdated as soon as their category is awarded.

It’s exhausting and somewhat humiliating to be a press member on the red carpet, especially if you’re with a small outlet. Don’t get me wrong, KNBC isn’t small but it’s an affiliate. And when I say bigger outlets I mean “Access Hollywood,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra.” Those are big national outlets who only cover entertainment instead of covering 59 minutes of hard news, than 1 minute of entertainment which is what we do. I totally get why they prioritize the way they do but it still makes my job more challenging than it should be.

Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Golden Globes.

Now after all that, do you even care about who gets nominated? My guess is most people don’t. We have so many things to give our attention to right now that involve life and death situations for millions of Americans. And honestly, maybe these awards shows will be a welcome distraction for everyone who has been stuck at home watching hours of film and television. But regardless, I will be covering this with my usual joy and excitement because as much of a grind as it is on the red carpet, I do still love show business. I love the pomp and circumstance and the idea that someday even a lowly reporter/actor like myself could be up on that stage accepting an award. And yes, I’ll probably try some botox just so I fit in.

**From "Yellowstone" to "The Mandalorian" Here's What to Watch in 2021** Jan 08, 2021
Want to know what to watch in 2021? We have some tips! Listen, 2020 was a doozy of a year to say the least. And just when we thought 2021 could save us all, a bunch of nuts stormed our Capitol and people died. If that’s how this year is going so far, I don’t have a lot of hope for the rest of the year. So I invited Chris Brooker to chat with me about politics, the pandemic and what we can look forward to in 2021. Like what to watch on TV!

Chris and Heather Brooker at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.

Chris is my favorite guest for many reasons, but mostly because he’s my husband. We love talking about movies and TV almost as much as we love watching them. We talk about what happened this week in Washington as well as what we think will play out over the next few weeks in politics and with the pandemic. But we’re also looking to the entertainment world to help us escape from the stressful situation our country is in.

“Wonder Woman 1984” streams on HBO Max.

Did you watch “Wonder Woman 1984?” We both agree that this movie had way too much plot and not enough character development. They had so many plates spinning in this movie that it didn’t leave much time for Wonder Woman to develop a true rivalry between one of her biggest opponents, Cheetah. The movie was bloated and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense in some places. But we were still glad to see Wonder Woman back on screen and after the year we had, it was a welcome end to 2020.

“The Mandalorian” streams on Disney+.

Another welcome end that we, along with most other nerds, loved. “The Mandalorian” ended season 2 with a bang. Chris says the return of Luke Skywalker was the kind of fan service that fans love, rather than the fan service that feels like pandering. What’s the difference? I think it depends on whether or not they like the players involved. People seem to really love Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni so at this point they can do no wrong in the eyes of “Star Wars” fans.

Cole Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone,” streaming now on Peacock.

Have you seen “Yellowstone?” Apparently I’m late to the party on this one. It’s a great show and I’ve been binge-watching in this week. At first I thought it was just another western drama. But it’s more like a mafia version of a western. Think “The Godfather” meets “Succession” but set on a ranch in Montana and you’d have “Yellowstone.” It’s violent, graphic and utterly entertaining. I told my best friend Amy that I finally started watching it and the first thing she said was, “How hot is Rip?” Very. Very hot. Definitely worth adding this show to your binge list if you need something new.

And of course Chris and I talk about our pet names for each other and why we should start a new podcast from our couch where we do nothing but talk about movies and TV shows. Stay tuned to see if we ever get up off the couch to actually make that happen.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

wonder woman 1984 — **From "Yellowstone" to "The Mandalorian" Here's What to Watch in 2021** Jan 08, 2021
Want to know what to watch in 2021? We have some tips! Listen, 2020 was a doozy of a year to say the least. And just when we thought 2021 could save us all, a bunch of nuts stormed our Capitol and people died. If that’s how this year is going so far, I don’t have a lot of hope for the rest of the year. So I invited Chris Brooker to chat with me about politics, the pandemic and what we can look forward to in 2021. Like what to watch on TV!

Chris and Heather Brooker at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.

Chris is my favorite guest for many reasons, but mostly because he’s my husband. We love talking about movies and TV almost as much as we love watching them. We talk about what happened this week in Washington as well as what we think will play out over the next few weeks in politics and with the pandemic. But we’re also looking to the entertainment world to help us escape from the stressful situation our country is in.

“Wonder Woman 1984” streams on HBO Max.

Did you watch “Wonder Woman 1984?” We both agree that this movie had way too much plot and not enough character development. They had so many plates spinning in this movie that it didn’t leave much time for Wonder Woman to develop a true rivalry between one of her biggest opponents, Cheetah. The movie was bloated and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense in some places. But we were still glad to see Wonder Woman back on screen and after the year we had, it was a welcome end to 2020.

“The Mandalorian” streams on Disney+.

Another welcome end that we, along with most other nerds, loved. “The Mandalorian” ended season 2 with a bang. Chris says the return of Luke Skywalker was the kind of fan service that fans love, rather than the fan service that feels like pandering. What’s the difference? I think it depends on whether or not they like the players involved. People seem to really love Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni so at this point they can do no wrong in the eyes of “Star Wars” fans.

Cole Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone,” streaming now on Peacock.

Have you seen “Yellowstone?” Apparently I’m late to the party on this one. It’s a great show and I’ve been binge-watching in this week. At first I thought it was just another western drama. But it’s more like a mafia version of a western. Think “The Godfather” meets “Succession” but set on a ranch in Montana and you’d have “Yellowstone.” It’s violent, graphic and utterly entertaining. I told my best friend Amy that I finally started watching it and the first thing she said was, “How hot is Rip?” Very. Very hot. Definitely worth adding this show to your binge list if you need something new.

And of course Chris and I talk about our pet names for each other and why we should start a new podcast from our couch where we do nothing but talk about movies and TV shows. Stay tuned to see if we ever get up off the couch to actually make that happen.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

kaycee stroh — **‘HSM’ Star KayCee Stroh on Dancing, Body Positivity and Mom Life** Oct 29, 2020
I am embarrassed to admit that I am one of those weirdos that has never seen “High School Musical.” That is until I saw the most amazing woman on TikTok just slaaayyying her dance moves. I did the completely normal thing and Googled her and found out that KayCee Stroh played Martha Cox in all of the “High School Musical” movies. So I watched the movies and now feel completely qualified to comment on this pop culture phenomenon that millions of other people have known about for decades.

I’m old, people. Cut me some slack!

KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox in ‘High School Musical’

I had the best time talking to KayCee about her unique audition for HSM and the inspiring thing choreographer Kenny Ortega said to her that stays with her to this day. We talked about what’s it like to be plus size woman in Hollywood, and the crazy things people have said to her about her weight. Seriously, what IS wrong with people? KayCee also talks about her life long love of dance and if her little girls, Zetta and Lettie caught the dance bug.

HOLLYWOOD – MAY 13: (L-R) Actors Kaycee Stroh, Monique Coleman, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Zac Efron and Lucas Grabeel attend the after party for the DVD launch of “High School Musical” on May 13, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

KayCee currently lives in Utah with her husband and 2 girls and after our conversation I was really wishing she lived in LA. I know we would have impromptu dance parties with our girls and sneak out for coffee dates on the regular. For now, I’ll just continue to be her biggest fan on TikTok (we are both addicted) and look forward to her next visit to LA.

You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! You can follow KayCee on TikTok and Instagram to dancing along with her!

salton sea documentary — **‘Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea’ Documentary** Oct 06, 2020
I have a slight obsession with the Salton Sea area. There’s something so fascinating to me about this area that was once the playground for the rich and famous and is now in ruins. Through a series of ecological disasters and land mismanagement, this part of the Coachella Valley is desolate, and facing another ecological crisis. The Salton Sea is drying up and the toxic dust that’s left behind will leave a devastating impact on the surrounding communities, even reaching as far as Los Angeles and San Diego.

Channing and I visited the Salton Sea in July 2020

This impending disaster and the history of the area is explored in a new documentary called “Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea.” I spoke with writer/director Greg Bassinian who tells me why he wanted to tell this story and raise awareness for what’s happening in this community. And before you write it off as a Southern California problem, the documentary explains how the impact is as far reaching as the federal government.

“Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea” documentary is available now.

You can read more about it on NBCLA and I highly encourage you to watch this film. It’s a heartbreaking look at time gone by, and peek into a very costly ecological disaster that’s looming over the state of California. The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and YouTube. Go to miracleinthedesert.com for more information and a list of places you can watch.

**Distance Learning, ‘The Boys,’ and Re-entering the World Safely** Sep 03, 2020
Chris Brooker is back and we’re diving into our favorite topics: TV, and our kid! With so much content to watch lately it can be overwhelming to choose something you like. We have some recommendations like “The Boys” on Amazon Prime Video, “Teenage Bounty Hunters” on Netflix, and Cobra Kai on Netflix just to name a few.

We are also opening up about what’s like to start distance learning. Chan has been back in school for about 2 weeks and it’s as sad as we thought it would be. She sits in front of her computer for 6 hours a day bouncing from Zoom meetings to independent study. She has almost no interaction with the other kids in class. This has been so hard to watch because Chan is such a social kid. She misses her friends so much and they aren’t even in her class this year. She’s in a new class with none of the friends she made in Kinder or 1st grade and no way to socialize to make new friends.
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I realize we aren’t the only people in this position. Millions of parents around the U.S. are juggling work and school at home, trying to figure out how to keep their kids safe and maintain their education. All I know is that I would rather have her setback a few months in school than sick, or worse, dead. It helps to put things in perspective and Chris and I dive into why it’s important to us to keep her at home for now instead of in the classroom.

Thanks for listening to this episode and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

alliance of women in media — **The Alliance for Women in Media Executive Director Becky Brooks** Aug 10, 2020
I’ve been working in the media for more than 20 years. Even though that pretty much reveals how old I really am, it’s something I’m very proud to tell people. I’m a journalist who started out as a reporter in the small market of St. Joseph, MO. I was a “one-man-band” meaning, I carried all of my own equipment, shot and edited my own video and wrote all my own stories. Cut to 20 years later, and as the first ever digital entertainment reporter at NBC Los Angeles, not much has changed. I still do all of those things, but now I have the added element of posting all my stories on social media. It’s a lot of work but I really love it!

Becky Brooks shares that same passion for media. She is the executive director of the The Alliance for Women in Media, including journalism, digital, film and television. She says their mission is to connect, recognize and inspire women across the media industry. They do that through annual events, an interview series, the AWM Foundation, and the annual Gracie Awards, named after Gracie Allen, a media pioneer who embodied the character of the awards.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21, 2019: AWMF Board Members at the 44th Annual Gracies Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation on May 21, 2019 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The Gracies, as they’ve become known, recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. They also acknowledge the individuals who have made inspirational contributions to the industry.

There’s something so beautiful about women supporting women especially in this field. Media, film and television can be competitive and it’s wonderful to see an organization who’s goal is to encourage and lift up other women. If you’d like more information about The Alliance for Women in Media visit their website, allwomeninmedia.org. Please enjoy this interview with Becky Brooks and don’t forget to leave a review!

california road trip — **Must See Central California Road Trip Ideas and Destinations** Jul 08, 2020
It’s been a hot minute since our family took a true road trip. Quick trips to Palm Springs and Laguna Beach don’t really count. I’m talking about packing up the pets, stocking up on road snacks and mapping out destinations. That’s what we decided to do to get our safe, social distance road trip in for the summer. We decided not to go with an RV like a lot of families are doing for a few reasons. One, both times we tried to rent an RV it fell through. And also, we were planning to travel some narrow and winding highways and didn’t feel comfortable doing that in our first RV driving experience.

Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz.

I have always wanted to visit central California. I sounds so dreamy and I imagine the photo opportunities would be off the charts (always thinking about my Instagram). So we started in Santa Cruz which was about a 5 hour drive from LA. We drove through a ton of farmland and had lunch in Gilroy, the garlic capitol of the world. Then headed north to Santa Cruz. I have to say, we weren’t super impressed with Santa Cruz. I thought it would be more of a beach community but it was really run down in the areas we visited. Maybe there was a more picturesque part but we didn’t see that.

The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.

Our first stop was The Mystery Spot! This kitschy destination has been on our radar for a while and we finally made it. Here’s how the website describes it:

**“The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly** located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. But don’t take our word for it, come and decide for yourself!”

Wear a mask if you go The Mystery Spot while coronavirus is on the loose!

We had no idea what was happening inside but I took a fun video and got great pictures while we were there. Channing was fascinated and thought the whole thing was really cool. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area especially because it’s only $8!

Santa Cruz Boardwalk, July 2020.

We went to the Boardwalk but almost everything was closed because of the coronavirus. We stayed at a cute hotel near the beach called Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages. We got the “suite” because it was the biggest space but it definitely wasn’t roomy. It was quaint and had a great front porch area with faux grass.

Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz

It was also a short walk to Sunny Cove Beach which we thought was lovely. But at night a lot of sketchy characters were starting to fill up the cove so we left as the sun was setting. Overall not a bad place to stay and pretty far removed from the more public beaches.

Lover’s Park in Monterey Bay.

We headed out the next morning and drove through Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea and headed south on highway 1 towards Big Sur. We were in the clouds or a thick fog bank for most of the drive but it was still very pretty. And cool! I couldn’t believe how cold the weather was for early July. But I think that’s because we are used to sweating our pants off in SoCal from about May to October.

Ribs platter at Big Sur Smokehouse.

We had an excellent lunch at Big Sur Smokehouse right off the highway. It was pricey but some of the best barbecue we’ve had in a long time. So, worth it.

Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur.

After lunch we went looking for Pfeiffer Beach, a hidden beach off the highway that’s only accessible via a one lane road. You have to veer to the side as much as possible in order to let other drivers pass. And if the small parking lot at the end of the road fills up, you’re out of luck. You can go down the road if there is nowhere to park. We got lucky because 2 cars were pulling out as we were going in.

Purple sand on Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.

If you don’t know about Pfeiffer Beach, this is the beach with purple sand and keyhole rocks that look amazing at sunset. The purple sand deposits are the product of erosion from the manganese garnet that washes down the mountains when it rains. There was quite a few people on this beach and most were not wearing masks. So we stayed pretty far away and left after about 30 minutes. It was a really beautiful spot and definitely worth a stop on your road trip if you’re headed that way. Make sure you check with the National Parks department to see if the beaches and parks you want to visit are open before you go.

Moonstone beach boardwalk in Cambria.

After Pfeiffer beach we headed down the mountain to Cambria where we had planned to stay for the night. We found an adorable hotel called Fogcatcher Inn that was right on Moonstone Beach. There is a beautiful boardwalk along the coastline full of trees and beachy florals that are definitely picture worthy. Just before Cambria is San Simeon where you’ll find Hearst Castle. I have always wanted to visit this castle but alas, it’s closed thanks to coronavirus. So it looks like we’ll have to plan another trip back up to this part of the state to see it. Which Chris and I agreed we don’t mind because it was beautiful. And cold! Again, we had sweaters on in July.

The town of Cambria is very quaint with cute coffee shops and bakeries and lots of dining options. We grabbed a burger at Main Street Grill for our first dine-in experience in over 4 months. There was enough room inside where we felt comfortable sitting apart from everyone. But not everyone was wearing a mask coming or going. And there were no sections marked off to keep people apart so most people were sitting right next to other diners. Needless to say, we ate quickly and left.

Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo.

We headed to San Luis Obispo the next day and had to stop at Bubblegum Alley. I don’t know where I heard about this spot but I’m so glad we stopped. It’s a tiny alley in downtown San Luis Obispo that is covered with millions of wads of chewing gum. It’s horrifying and cool at the same time. Chan and I wanted to get out of the car to check it out but Chris wanted no part of it. He stayed in the car while we we looked at the gross gum.

Dinosaur Cave Park in Pismo Beach.

Then we headed south to Pismo Beach for a quick look at Dinosaur Caves Park and headed back to LA.

Vista point in Central California

We planned this so that we could do at least one night in our house to do laundry and check in on everything before heading out again. We left the next morning for Palm Springs.

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

Everyone was very excited for this leg of the trip because we were going to be chilling at a house with a pool for a few days. We found a great vacation rental through Mod Mansions. It had an adorable Palm Springs feel but also felt very homey.

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

After a day at the pool we ventured out on a day trip to the Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain. If you’ve never been to this area I highly recommend it. Not in July, but sometime in the fall or spring maybe. It was over 100 degrees and we were so hot. So we just got a few quick pictures of this desolate, Mad Max area then headed back to the pool. That’s where we vegged out for a few days until it was time to go home.

The Salton Sea

Our California road trip took us from Central California, to the SoCal desert and it was absolutely everything we needed. And throughout the trip we stayed away from public areas, washed our hands frequently and wore our masks. It was nice to know we could be safe about our travel and still have a good time!

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

Have you been to any of these places on a California road trip? What recommendations would you share for this trip?

**Must See Central California Road Trip Ideas and Destinations** Jul 08, 2020
It’s been a hot minute since our family took a true road trip. Quick trips to Palm Springs and Laguna Beach don’t really count. I’m talking about packing up the pets, stocking up on road snacks and mapping out destinations. That’s what we decided to do to get our safe, social distance road trip in for the summer. We decided not to go with an RV like a lot of families are doing for a few reasons. One, both times we tried to rent an RV it fell through. And also, we were planning to travel some narrow and winding highways and didn’t feel comfortable doing that in our first RV driving experience.

Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz.

I have always wanted to visit central California. I sounds so dreamy and I imagine the photo opportunities would be off the charts (always thinking about my Instagram). So we started in Santa Cruz which was about a 5 hour drive from LA. We drove through a ton of farmland and had lunch in Gilroy, the garlic capitol of the world. Then headed north to Santa Cruz. I have to say, we weren’t super impressed with Santa Cruz. I thought it would be more of a beach community but it was really run down in the areas we visited. Maybe there was a more picturesque part but we didn’t see that.

The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.

Our first stop was The Mystery Spot! This kitschy destination has been on our radar for a while and we finally made it. Here’s how the website describes it:

**“The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly** located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. But don’t take our word for it, come and decide for yourself!”

Wear a mask if you go The Mystery Spot while coronavirus is on the loose!

We had no idea what was happening inside but I took a fun video and got great pictures while we were there. Channing was fascinated and thought the whole thing was really cool. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area especially because it’s only $8!

Santa Cruz Boardwalk, July 2020.

We went to the Boardwalk but almost everything was closed because of the coronavirus. We stayed at a cute hotel near the beach called Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages. We got the “suite” because it was the biggest space but it definitely wasn’t roomy. It was quaint and had a great front porch area with faux grass.

Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz

It was also a short walk to Sunny Cove Beach which we thought was lovely. But at night a lot of sketchy characters were starting to fill up the cove so we left as the sun was setting. Overall not a bad place to stay and pretty far removed from the more public beaches.

Lover’s Park in Monterey Bay.

We headed out the next morning and drove through Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea and headed south on highway 1 towards Big Sur. We were in the clouds or a thick fog bank for most of the drive but it was still very pretty. And cool! I couldn’t believe how cold the weather was for early July. But I think that’s because we are used to sweating our pants off in SoCal from about May to October.

Ribs platter at Big Sur Smokehouse.

We had an excellent lunch at Big Sur Smokehouse right off the highway. It was pricey but some of the best barbecue we’ve had in a long time. So, worth it.

Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur.

After lunch we went looking for Pfeiffer Beach, a hidden beach off the highway that’s only accessible via a one lane road. You have to veer to the side as much as possible in order to let other drivers pass. And if the small parking lot at the end of the road fills up, you’re out of luck. You can go down the road if there is nowhere to park. We got lucky because 2 cars were pulling out as we were going in.

Purple sand on Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.

If you don’t know about Pfeiffer Beach, this is the beach with purple sand and keyhole rocks that look amazing at sunset. The purple sand deposits are the product of erosion from the manganese garnet that washes down the mountains when it rains. There was quite a few people on this beach and most were not wearing masks. So we stayed pretty far away and left after about 30 minutes. It was a really beautiful spot and definitely worth a stop on your road trip if you’re headed that way. Make sure you check with the National Parks department to see if the beaches and parks you want to visit are open before you go.

Moonstone beach boardwalk in Cambria.

After Pfeiffer beach we headed down the mountain to Cambria where we had planned to stay for the night. We found an adorable hotel called Fogcatcher Inn that was right on Moonstone Beach. There is a beautiful boardwalk along the coastline full of trees and beachy florals that are definitely picture worthy. Just before Cambria is San Simeon where you’ll find Hearst Castle. I have always wanted to visit this castle but alas, it’s closed thanks to coronavirus. So it looks like we’ll have to plan another trip back up to this part of the state to see it. Which Chris and I agreed we don’t mind because it was beautiful. And cold! Again, we had sweaters on in July.

The town of Cambria is very quaint with cute coffee shops and bakeries and lots of dining options. We grabbed a burger at Main Street Grill for our first dine-in experience in over 4 months. There was enough room inside where we felt comfortable sitting apart from everyone. But not everyone was wearing a mask coming or going. And there were no sections marked off to keep people apart so most people were sitting right next to other diners. Needless to say, we ate quickly and left.

Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo.

We headed to San Luis Obispo the next day and had to stop at Bubblegum Alley. I don’t know where I heard about this spot but I’m so glad we stopped. It’s a tiny alley in downtown San Luis Obispo that is covered with millions of wads of chewing gum. It’s horrifying and cool at the same time. Chan and I wanted to get out of the car to check it out but Chris wanted no part of it. He stayed in the car while we we looked at the gross gum.

Dinosaur Cave Park in Pismo Beach.

Then we headed south to Pismo Beach for a quick look at Dinosaur Caves Park and headed back to LA.

Vista point in Central California

We planned this so that we could do at least one night in our house to do laundry and check in on everything before heading out again. We left the next morning for Palm Springs.

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

Everyone was very excited for this leg of the trip because we were going to be chilling at a house with a pool for a few days. We found a great vacation rental through Mod Mansions. It had an adorable Palm Springs feel but also felt very homey.

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

After a day at the pool we ventured out on a day trip to the Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain. If you’ve never been to this area I highly recommend it. Not in July, but sometime in the fall or spring maybe. It was over 100 degrees and we were so hot. So we just got a few quick pictures of this desolate, Mad Max area then headed back to the pool. That’s where we vegged out for a few days until it was time to go home.

The Salton Sea

Our California road trip took us from Central California, to the SoCal desert and it was absolutely everything we needed. And throughout the trip we stayed away from public areas, washed our hands frequently and wore our masks. It was nice to know we could be safe about our travel and still have a good time!

Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs.

Have you been to any of these places on a California road trip? What recommendations would you share for this trip?

**NBC Development Exec Demystifies the Network Development Process** May 27, 2020
I have always been fascinated with television. I consume hours and hours of it each week and have since I was a kid. I was an 80s baby raised by a single mom who worked full time so the TV was my babysitter a lot of the time. And since I was little I have dreamed of being on TV, making people laugh and being a part of their family week after week. And while television has changed a lot since the 80s, my dream hasn’t. The feeling I get when I watch a great show hasn’t changed either.

When I first moved to LA I immersed myself in improv and comedy at the Groundlings. I thought the best way to get my own show was to just be funny and work with great people and eventually I would get cast. Hindsight is always 20/20 but I wish I could tell myself to become a producer and develop my own show. That’s where I want to be! Now that I know more about the TV development process I understand just how little control and power actors have, unless you are also a producer.

Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal.

I’m so thrilled to have Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic on the show this week to help demystify television development and shed some light on how a show gets made. Brenda is the Director of Programming and Development at NBC Universal. She works on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “Access Hollywood” to name a few and has several projects in development that she can’t reveal just yet. She previously spent 13 years at PBS SoCal where she was responsible for directing the development, production, national distribution and marketing of programs on PBS. You might be familiar with her PBS shows like “Variety Studios: Actors on Actors” where actors interview each other.

Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic is photographed during Governors Portraits on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)

Brenda has won 10 Emmy Awards, and has had 15 Emmy nominations. She currently serves on the Daytime Emmy Awards Committee and previously served as LA Area Governor on the Board of Governors for the Television Academy as well as Co-Chair of the Governors Ball for the Primetime Emmys and Co-Chair of the LA Area Emmys. To say she is a proactive member of the television community would be an understatement. She is entrenched in the development and creation of ideas for TV. So of course, I had to ask her what she thinks about the rise in popularity of streaming content over the last decade. We talked about how traditional broadcast is learning to pivot to keep viewers tuned in while streaming platforms surge.

I’ve always been curious about how producers get in rooms with development executives and if the traditional method of going through an agent, pitching and signing a deal is still the norm. I love what Brenda has to say about this in terms of finding new talent and ideas. She recently discovered someone on YouTube and liked them so much, she started developing a show with them. How amazing! This is why I tell people to never stop creating because you never know who is watching.

Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal.

We also talk about the demands of working for a major network like NBC and juggling family life. She is a mom of two and, like most of the country, has been working from home since the stay home orders were put in place. She says despite the industry shut down, they are still constantly working on developing new ideas and content for programs. This was such an inspiring conversation and really gives us a glimpse into how television gets made, and what someone looking to get into development or develop their own show can do to get a leg up. The next time you’re watching a great show on NBC, you’l have a better sense of the people behind the scenes who took a nugget of an idea and followed it through until it landed in your living room.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on this episode! I would love to hear from you!

lia dias — **Bravo TV’s ‘Married to Medicine Los Angeles’ Cast Member Lia Dias** May 18, 2020
Lia Dias is the newest cast member of Bravo TV’s “Married to Medicine Los Angeles.” She joins the show in season 2 and hints that the drama is worth tuning in for. She is a friend of Dr. Imani’s and prides herself on the notoriety of being a business entrepreneur and a girl boss rather than embracing the lifestyle of being a typical doctor’s wife. Her husband is a psychiatrist and colleague of Dr. Imani’s.

Lia Dias is a new cast member on season 2 of “Married to Medicine Los Angeles.”

We talked about how she juggles owning a chain of beauty supply stores called The Girl Cave LA as well as her three kids, Kaylin, Colin and Kayla. She tells me that she didn’t have any concerns about letting cameras into her home to film her family because Bravo made sure all of the kids were taken care of. She explains that it was a priority for them to make sure the kids were comfortable in each scene and took breaks when necessary.

“Married to Medicine Los Angeles” airs Sundays 9/8c on Bravo TV.

She also talks about how each cast member on the show is very different, despite having so much in common. Turns out, Bravo is really good at casting different types of personalities who can bring us good drama on TV! And “Married to Medicine Los Angeles” is no exception. In this episode he gives us a closer look at what fans can expect to see on season 2 so don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Then you you can watch Lia build her business, and make new friends (or frenemies!) on “Married to Medicine Los Angeles” Sundays 9/8c on Bravo.

jessica butler — **‘Instant Mom’ Co-Creator Jessica Butler on Non-Traditional Families** May 12, 2020
Jessica Butler is the co-creator of the hit Nick at Nite series, “Instant Mom.” She and her husband writer/producer Warren Bell created the show based on her experiences as a stepmother. She says she felt there was nothing on TV that represented how families can co-parent together. She also wanted to dispel the trope of the wicked stepmother, which does more harm to families than people realize.

RaiseMagazine.com focuses on telling stories of non-traditional families.

Butler is a stepmother of two sons, and an adoptive mom to one son and wanted to see her stories and other non-traditional stories represented online. So she launched *Raise Magazine*, a lifestyle site for modern mothers, featuring stories of stepparenting, adoption, foster care, surrogacy, and non-traditional families.

Warren Bell and Jessica Butler co-created “Instant Mom” on Nick at Nite based on their family.

Butler says she creates content for fellow stepmoms who are navigating a new marriage, instant motherhood, and co-parenting all at once, as well as for women who are stepdaughters themselves. A recent poll from Pew Research Center revealed that 44% of women in America — nearly half — have a step relationship. While most stepparenting sites cater solely to stepmoms, Raise covers single motherhood as well, providing a community for moms who are navigating co-parenting from the other side, along with challenges like dating as a parent.

Jessica Butler and her son Levon.

As an adoptive mother in an open adoption, she offers her perspective to hopeful and current adoptive moms, as well as birth moms and adoptees, through conversations on open and closed adoptions, interracial and kinship adoptions, and the day-to-day challenges of raising an adopted child. *Raise* also profiles former foster youth and current foster parents on their experiences with the system.

The Raise site is currently building a team of experts in the fields of adoption, foster care, health and wellness, pediatrics, and assisted reproductive technology to serve as consultants to its growing community of modern families. She says she hopes Raise becomes a community for families who feel like they don’t fit into the traditional family mold. In fact, does anyone still fit into that mold? There are so many different types of families in the world now but we don’t see those stories on TV or in film.

You can find out more about Jessica and her community at RaiseMagazine.com.

**How One Little Podcast Helped Me Build an Empire** May 08, 2020
If you read the title of this post then you’re probably thinking, wait, Heather has an empire? I might be exaggerating a bit. But this podcast did help me build a business, expand my network, and discover a new career path. This is my 200th episode of Motherhood in Hollywood and I’m celebrating! And of course my guest is Chris Brooker. We’re taking a brief look back at the incredible guests who took the time to share their story with me on my little show and what has changed in my life in the almost five years since MIH launched.

My first Motherhood in Hollywood in July 2015

I have to say a huge thank you to my first few guests, Jen Hasty and Amy Crofoot. These two mamas were my only mom friends at the time and graciously agreed to come to my house and let me pick their brains about being a mom in Hollywood. When I started MIH there were no parenting-centric entertainment podcast. There was a lot of comedy podcasts, entertainment podcasts, and parenting podcast but none that combined what it means to be a working parent in showbiz.

Cut to five years later and every A, B, C and D level celeb has their own podcast on parenting. Clearly I started a trend! And clearly I have stayed humble. I had no idea what doors this podcast would open for me and truly, I don’t take a second of it for granted. Before starting this show I never knew what a mommy blogger was. I never knew there was a world of “events” that people went to and got free product in exchange for posting about it on social media or talking about it on their podcast. I was so immersed in the actor hustle that this side of life was completely foreign to me.

Heather and Chan on the redCARpet at the Skirball Cultural Center in 2015.

The first event was I invited to was the Red Carpet Safety event. My friend Jill Simonian, aka The Fab Mom, asked her friend Saraah Samandi if I could tag along with my two year old. It was a blistering hot day in early September and a ton of moms and celebrities were packed into the Skirball Center looking at the latest baby products. And when I left, they handed me a huge bag of baby swag. For what? Just for going to a party and mingling with celebs? I was sold! I started researching blogging, designed my own website, focused on growing my social media and set out to see if I could get more free stuff!

Soon I started making connections at the events I went to and met other moms with similar interest. We shared ideas about how to grow, and reach our goals. I quickly realized that my goals started to change. I didn’t want just a bag of swag, I wanted to make money and start a business. I researched podcast ads, sponsored Instagram posts, media kits and marketing tools. I hired a publicist to help me get my name out to various online publications and to be a guest other podcasts. I spent more money than I made. But in the end, it paid off. I started getting celebrity guests, and influencers for my podcast. Top producers and writers wanted to be on my show! Call me The Jeffersons cause I was movin’ on up!

Then I started being referred to as an “influencer.” This is not a title I’ve ever been comfortable with because it implies I somehow have influence over people. I’m just a wacky actor. Who would listen to me? But that’s the term the industry still uses to this day when I work with brands or host events or speak on panels. So I just accept that’s what I’m called and don’t let it go to my head. I know it’s a ridiculous term and there are ridiculous influencers in the space, but that term doesn’t define who I am. Recently I had some people in my life try to tear me down and belittle my business and career because they don’t fully understand or support what I do. Or maybe, they just let their own insecurities get the best of them. The broke my heart in the cruelest way and tried to make me feel bad for what I’ve accomplished. Don’t ever let anyone steal your joy! If anyone wants to buy me a drink sometime I’ll gladly tell you the story. But this particular post is about the uplifting and wonderful things that have happened so we will leave their negativity behind. And fortunately, they are no longer a part of my life.

But I digress…

I’m building an empire! And somewhere along the way I started covering red carpets. I never set out to do that but after many spending years as a reporter before moving to LA, I certainly had the skillset for it. Although I had left my reporting days behind, I never stopped working in news behind the scenes as a writer. It was the perfect job for me to work in part time while I pursued my dreams. While building up MIH, somehow I got on several email list for invites to TV and movie premieres and family “press” junkets. It was so exciting to get to take Chan to these events and watch movies or new TV before they were released. Sure this is how the stars must feel! I had made it! I was finally a star! But only in my head of course.

I was also invited to join blogger round tables with the cast of these films and “interview” them. Which really just means, you ask one question and then listen to other mommy bloggers ask questions. Truly some of the most grueling times during my journey was listening to people gush over celebrities and ask embarrassing questions. “If your house was on fire would you save your newborn or your dog?” Seriously that was a question someone asked during a “press” event for the movie “Valerian.”

I remember thinking, why aren’t these people more professional? Don’t get me wrong I think you can have fun when you’re interviewing someone but there’s a certain level of professionalism and understanding of the film business and industry that should go into these interviews, especially if you’re being called press, right? But now I realize I was looking at these family press junkets through the eyes of a journalist and not through the eyes of a fan. I can see now that I was taking myself and these events way too seriously. And I’m embarrassed to admit, I let it bother me. I yearned for something more professional, to do these interviews in a more professional setting, but I hadn’t put the pieces together yet of how or what that looked like.

It was in one of these blogger round tables for Despicable Me 3 that I realized I wanted to do these interviews one-on-one and not with a group of bloggers. In fact, I was getting frustrated because here I was in front of Steve Carrell who I had worked with on “The Office”, twice, and cringing while he was asked about something ridiculous. What was I even doing there? I’m not a mommy blogger. I am an actor and journalist who just happened to start a podcast. I felt like I should’ve been working with Steve Carell on a set or interviewing him one-on-one at the very least. We are basically peers right? Why shouldn’t I get my own interview with him?

It’s okay to laugh at how ridiculous I am. Seriously, who did I think I was?

Excuse me while I get uppity. I mean no disrespect to mommy bloggers but I never identified with that moniker. The reality is, I wanted to prove that I wasn’t just a mommy podcaster or influencer with no credibility. I found myself bucking against the name that I had worked so hard to create. I had no idea that naming my podcast Motherhood in Hollywood would forever label me as a mommy blogger and that people would look past all of my other accomplishments and only put me in one category. I have won two Emmys and have over 40 film and television credits. I felt like I had a lot more to offer but I was struggling to make sense of my place in the industry. Did I want to act or interview people? And did I have to choose one or the other?

I was lamenting these frustrations to my BFF Amy Calvert who also just happened to be the GM at my old TV station KJRH in Tulsa. I mentioned the idea of being a Hollywood correspondent for her station and thankfully, she loved the idea. And just like that, I was back in my reporter pants! I’m now realizing that my leap back into reporting was totally driven by my competitive nature and the desire to prove that I’m better than everyone else. I know I’m not actually better than anyone, but competition is certainly is a good motivator!

I started reporting again and doing regular stories for KJRH in Tulsa. I interviewed Blake Shelton about his coaching on “The Voice”, covered San Diego Comic-Con and The Golden Globes. I jumped into reporting again with both feet and I loved it. One thing people don’t know about me is that I loved reporting before I became an actor. And I’m a highly competitive reporter. When I have a good story idea, I will cut a bitch who beats me to it. Chris can tell you when I worked as a reporter in Tulsa, I would watch each newscast and flip between stations to see what everyone led with and if they had a better story than me. I might have been a little insane about it. And it’s also probably what ultimately drove me away from news. I was so obsessed, it started to wear on my soul and I was losing touch with a part of myself that I loved, making people laugh.

Quick shot of me on the set of “Get Shorty” with Ray Romano!

I was doing all of this reporting while going on auditions, taking care of Chan, producing a weekly podcast and working part time for KNBC as a writer. And every now and then, I actually got to work as an actor. I filmed shows like “The Orville”, “Get Shorty” and “Atypical.” I was getting offers from brands to promote everything from probiotics to jewelry. The hustle is real. People ask me all the time how I do it all and honestly I don’t know. I don’t sleep very much. Maybe insomnia is my secret weapon. Yet even in the midst of all this hustle, I realized I still wanted more. I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I was claiming to be an actor but my focus wasn’t in the right place. And sometimes, it still isn’t.

But what do you do when the door of opportunity opens in front of you? You walk through it and hold on tight.

After interviewing some of the biggest producers, directors and screenwriters in town I realized that the reason I’d been toiling away hoping for bit parts as an actor was because I had no control over my acting career. I can’t cast myself in a TV show, a producer has to do that. I can’t create a role for myself, a producer has to do that. While I was interviewing all these amazing people I was also secretly soaking up all of their knowledge and trying to figure out how I could better myself as an actor and move up in the industry.

I started researching what it takes to be a producer and get a show made. I reached out to friends who had literary agent contacts and eventually signed with a literary agent who I thought would help me get a show developed. I remember I left Chris and Chan 3 nights a week to go to a nearby bakery (coffee shops are so cliche!) to sit and write. And after a year or so I had a well-developed show that was ready to be pitched. The only problem was, my agent was leaving the agency for another job and I had no way of getting my foot in the door for pitch meetings. If you didn’t know, getting a literary agent with no referral or experience is a gargantuan task. But I wasn’t ready to give up.

And while all of this was happening, MIH was growing. My Instagram blew up and my podcast numbers soared, well, for me anyway. And I was still going to red carpets and covering entertainment for KJRH. I became consumed with getting every entertainment scoop I could for my social media, my podcast and KJRH. I started to realize that while my acting opportunities were fewer and farther between, maybe this reporting thing could be another avenue for success. I was completely comfortable in front of the camera and I remember reasoning with myself that even if I wasn’t getting acting roles at least I was still performing and getting my name out there in someway. Plus, I really enjoyed it.

A big break, or push in the right direction, came in the form of my news director at KNBC, where I worked part time as a writer. He had listened to my podcast and seen my red carpet coverage on my social media. We had a meeting to talk about me expanding my role and covering entertainment for KNBC. He had the great idea of creating a new position for me: digital entertainment reporter. No one at the station had ever held that position before. I would be the first ever digital entertainment reporter for KNBC and in the LA news market. Now stations like KTLA and KABC have digital reporters but nobody does, or did specifically what I do. And for the last 2 years I have immersed myself in this new role while still cranking out my podcast, and growing my business. It feels like second nature to me to tell stories and interview people in this industry. I have such a love for the film and television making process from every aspect. And I love talking to actors about their process as well. Truly this job is a dream come true.

And yet, I still want something more. A big part of my heart and soul is missing. Acting. I miss acting. Reaching 200 episodes is a huge accomplishment and I’m so grateful for every single person who has downloaded, shared, commented and followed me over the last 5 years. I couldn’t have done it without your support! But as I sit in the midst of a global health crisis, spending everyday at home, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I know I still want to be an actor. I also want to be a host/reporter. And I love being an “influencer” and sharing my life online. Do I have to choose one path or the other? It feels like if one part gets more attention, then the other areas of my life don’t move forward and I”m struggling to balance, and focus. It’s been more than 3 years since I took a regular acting class so how can I call myself an actor? My podcast episodes are so inconsistent these days that I’d hardly call myself a podcaster either. I have been so consumed with doing a good job, getting the best story and re-inventing myself as a reporter at KNBC that I’ve lost touch with a lot of the reasons why I moved to LA in the first place.

I’ve also come to realize that I don’t actually despise the term mommy bloggers as much as I thought I did. Nor do I have judgy frustrating feelings for those family “press” junkets. I understand their place and the need for projects bib and small to have that kind of press. I’ve grown to have so much respect for my mommy blogging friends who share their lives online. They have actually turned out to be more loyal and supportive than some of my actor friends. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you I’ve grown up a lot in the last 5 years as well. You can hear it in my interviewing style on my podcast (I swear less), and see it in the posts I share on my website and Instagram. That doesn’t mean I’m not still silly and wildly inappropriate sometimes. It just means that good empire rulers should never stop evolving.

I guess what I’m trying to say through all of this somewhat stream of consciousness rambling is, I don’t know what the answer is in terms of re-connecting with the acting side of myself or how to tell you exactly what to do if you want to build an empire. I’m using this time of being in quarantine to self-reflect, get focused, and decide if I have another 200 episodes of my podcast left in me. I honestly don’t know how Marc Maron does it. I have been producer, editor, interviewer and marketer for this show for almost 5 years and honestly, I’m not sure if I want to do it anymore. I have several amazing guests lined up for the next month so I know I’ll keep it going for a while. But what is that saying… All good things must come to an end? I’m sure I’ll know when the end is near for MIH podcast and it will be hard to say goodbye. This show has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life and brought my family incredible opportunities, financial security and immeasurable joy. It’s crazy to think it all started with something as small as a microphone and a willingness for people to listen. If you learn anything from my story, I hope you don’t let anything stand in your way of following your dreams. Start that podcast. Post all the IG and TikToks you want. Don’t let others define you and don’t be afraid you blaze your own path. After all, isn’t that how all great empires are built?

Thanks for listening. Have a great week! And remember, I’m not a perfect mom. But I can play one on TV!

ashlan gorse cousteau — **Ashlan Gorse Cousteau on Conservation and a Virtual ‘Drop in the Ocean’** Apr 28, 2020
My guest this week is no stranger to the red carpet. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau was a red carpet reporter for “Entertainment Tonight” and E! Network before leaving it all behind to pursue her passion for conservation and story telling. If her last name sounds familiar it’s because she’s married to Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famous explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau. Together they have formed a passionate partnership around using the power of entertainment to raise awareness of conservation issues.

Species renderings from ‘Drop in the Ocean’

Ashlan and her husband Philippe are producers and narrators of a new Virtual Reality ocean exploration experience “Drop in the Ocean” that premiered at Tribeca Immersive in 2019.

Ashlan Gorse Cousteau and her husband Philippe Cousteau hosting “Caribbean Pirate Treasure” on Travel Channel.

Recently, she was also the co-star of Travel Channel’s award-winning series, “Caribbean Pirate Treasure” for three seasons. Her documentary, “Nuclear Sharks”, for Discovery Channel’s *Shark Week 2016* premiered as the #1 rated show across all cable programming.

She also traveled to Antarctica to be a headlining speaker at Ted xScottBase. She has served as host for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and was selected by former Vice-President Al Gore to be the opening anchor for *24Hours of Reality.* She is a voice for environmental issues on Capitol Hill through events, and briefings and serves on the National Council of WWF, and the advisory boards of Ocean Unite and the Environmental Media Association.

And she also a new mom to her “Baby Fish” who is already being groomed for world travel. She and her husband hope to take their daughter with them when they go on adventures around the world, truly incorporating motherhood into her world. If you’d like to see where she’s headed next, when the current health crisis is over, follower her on Instagram. I have no doubt you will also see her pop up on red carpets again, sharing her own stories rather than interviewing other people about theirs.

lindsey weissmueller — **Casting Director Lindsey Weissmueller Shares Tips For Actors** Apr 21, 2020
The entire entertainment industry has come to a grinding halt. There are a few movies and TV shows that were wrapped before the coronavirus pandemic hit that are still rolling out with PR, but for the most part there’s nothing new happening. Yet. But you can bet when it does, I’ll be ready. I’ve been spending some of my spare time doing self-tapes, general auditions and reading books about acting.

I’m also soaking up any tidbits of information casting directors are sharing right now like my guest this week, Lindsey Weissmueller. We recorded this interview before the shut down but the helpful information will last far beyond what’s going on right now. My hope is that this is helpful to you and gets your mind working toward how you can jump back into acting once things get going again.

I first met Lindsey when I auditioned for “Adam Ruins Everything.” It was a small part but that didn’t matter. Lindsey took the time to chat with me, get to know me, and let me play a little bit with my role. What a dream! As actors we are often called into rooms where we have just a few lines to deliver. I’ve been in and out of some rooms in less than 20 seconds. It’s so disheartening, especially when you rehearse, get all dressed up, get a sitter, drive across town, and risk a parking ticket just to be seen for 20 seconds. It really means a lot when casting directors take the time to get to know you and let you try your role a few different ways.

Lindsey is a mom of 2 boys and has a little girl on the way. She talks about how she juggles the demands of casting with motherhood and how it’s changed her perspective on her career.

I say that knowing they can’t always do that. Casting directors are under tremendous deadlines and pressure with the producers to get roles cast, that may film the next day or even that same day. It’s a very fast paced business and you have to be ready no matter what happens when you walk in that door. I hope you find comfort in this interview with Lindsey and it inspires you to stay on top of your craft so you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way when this mess is over. Make sure you follow Lindsey on Instagram to see her beautiful family and the occasional post about the industry!

Married Life and Working From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic Apr 07, 2020

My husband Chris and I have been living and working from home together now going on 3 weeks. It's been a bumpy month but we're hanging in there.

disney creators conference — **Disney Creators Celebration Overview and Highlights You Need to Know** Mar 03, 2020
The number one question in my DM’s and inbox over the last month has been, how did you get invited to the Disney Creators Celebration? The short answer is, luck. The long answer might give you some insights on how you can get the attention of the Disney powers that be to hopefully secure a spot in this invite only conference.

First, what is the Disney Creators Conference? It’s a week-long celebration for creators that begins with 3 days at Walt Disney World, and ends on a 3 day Disney Cruise. This event used to be known as the Land and Sea Disney Social Media Moms Conference (DSMMC) and was made up of mom bloggers who are passionate about all things Disney. About a hundred moms were invited from all over the U.S. to have unique experiences and get a behind the scenes look at some of the Disney operations. It seems like organizers have tweaked the formula for the event and opened it up to non-mom influencers and creators which is a great idea. There are so many Disney bloggers and influencers who aren’t parents that could benefit from this type of insights. Dad bloggers too!

There was about a hundred creators on this trip and their families so you can imagine this was a lot of people to organize. And unlike DSMMC, there wasn’t one common thread that made you say, Oh this is why they got invited! There were influencers with really big accounts, YouTubers, bloggers, TikTokers, and even people with very small accounts. Some people create beautifully curated pictures and videos, while others shoot mediocre, unfiltered pictures on their iPhone. The only thing I can tell you is why I think I was invited, although I may never know for sure because Disney guards this secret tightly.

How I think I got on the list for the Disney Creators Conference:

I create consistent, family friendly content.

I use Disney hashtags when appropriate.

I tag Disney accounts in my posts when appropriate.

I go to Disneyland events and Disney related events in SoCal when I can.

I post other non-Disney content but with the same level of quality. (Not just Disney content)

I like and comment on other Disney influencers posts.

I don’t trash Disney online, even when I don’t get invited to things.

This may be the secret formula or it may just be, as I said, luck. I’ll never know because again, they keep their decision making process a secret. My guess is if you keep creating good content, network with other Disney influencers, comment on their posts, and keep growing your account then you will be on their radar. I don’t know if they will keep doing this event every year or every two years but my hope is that it’s every year. I’ve been lucky to be invited a few times and I don’t take it for granted.

What do we do at the Disney Creators Conference?

First, it’s not a free event. There is a conference fee. We also pay for our airfare and some meals at the theme park. So it’s not an entirely hosted event either. Disney sets up the itinerary and ours included a conference day with speakers, dessert party at Epcot, breakfast at Pandora, dessert party on Batuu, private screening of “Onward”, behind the scenes experiences on the Disney Dream, a private welcome and farewell party on the Disney Dream, and passes to rent bikes or tubes on Castaway Cay. They also arrange for transportation to and from the airport or Disney Parks if you need it.

I’ll be sharing more highlights from this trip over the next few weeks on my podcast as well as here. If there’s any part of this trip you’d like to know more about just ask! I’m happy to answer any questions.

deanna stagliano — **Life After ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ with Deanna Stagliano** Mar 03, 2020
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never watched “The Bachelor.” Or “The Bachelorette.” Well, I’ve watched enough of it to know it’s not really my jam. But its cultural significance and popularity can’t be ignored. There are dozens of podcasts, fan sites, and more dedicated to all things Bachelor nation and it’s one of the highest rated shows on television.

DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was on season 4 of “The Bachelorette”

So when I found out my friend DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was not only a contestant on “The Bachelor”, but also an actual Bachelorette I was shook. I had no idea this sweet woman I’d gotten to know over cocktails at the country club was on this show I have a fair amount of disdain for.

Before you judge me for judging this show, let me tell you where I’m coming from. I’m an actress, and for years I was under the impression that all these reality shows were taking away TV airtime that could go to scripted shows, and therefore, create jobs for actors like me. I assumed that these types of shows (ala “Jersey Shore”) were made for people who have no taste in quality programming. Very snobby I know!

But now I realize that reality TV has a very special and important role in television. It fills a voyueristic need that people have to see how the other half lives. I’ve also let go of a lot of my resentment toward reality TV because of the plethora of streaming services that offer scripted shows. I’m grown up guys!

And mostly I’ve learned to embrace reality TV because I’ve met so many wonderful people like DeAnna who are a part of the reality show family. I know you’ll love hearing her story as much as I did!

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

‘Descendants’ Fairy Godmother Melanie Paxson Shares Her Journey to Motherhood Jan 21, 2020

You have no doubt seen Melanie Paxson on your TV hundreds if not thousands of times over the last two decades. Most of you will recognize her right away as the "Glad Girl". She captured our hearts and made us want to use better food storage and trash bags when she starred in several commercials for Gladware. My favorite commercial she starred in was for Red Robin. Seriously, their burgers are bomb!

‘Supernanny’ Jo Frost Returns to TV With Tried and True Parenting Tips Jan 16, 2020

I had the chance to sit down with Jo over tea and talk about why she's back on TV now, what's different about her new "Supernanny" show on Lifetime, how can we parent better in the digital age and get her advice on raising an unentitled child in a very entitled world. Her advice is grounded, rational, and proven to get results. Nothing short of super.

Here’s My Picks For The Top Movies to Watch in 2020 Jan 08, 2020

Chris Brooker is back on the show to talk about why we don't have flying cars and hologram watches yet (seriously, why don't we?) He's also here to talk about some of the most anticipated movies of 2020. Well, at least the one's we're anticipating the most.

expedition bigfoot — **Inside “Expedition Bigfoot” with World-Renowned Scientist Dr. Mireya Mayor** Dec 19, 2019
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Tales of the Bigfoot go back centuries, and for probably just as long, scientists have been trying to prove Bigfoot exists. The new Travel Channel series “Expedition Bigfoot” takes a scientific approach to this tall tale, with the guidance of world-renowned primatologist Dr. Mireya Mayor.

“With a unique blend of expertise, the ‘Expedition Bigfoot’ team – including Bryce Johnson, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Russell Acord, Ronny LeBlanc, and Ryan “RPG” Golembeske – may finally take one of the world’s greatest mysteries out of the pages of legend and lore and into reality. Get to know them all before this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime expedition.”

Mireya has been traveling the globe and pursuing her passion for primates for nearly two decades. She tells me her love of primates started as a young girl watching nature documentaries and films. She’s also a mom of 6 who is passing on her love of science to her children. Along the way she’s often been called a “female Indiana Jones,” and is an inspiration to young women interested in science and exploration.

But less you think that’s not enough to do, there’s even more. She’s a two-time Emmy Award-nominated field correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and speaks to audience around the world about wildlife and habitat issues. She’s also passionate about the environment and the effects of climate change. Her explorations have led to several scientific discoveries, including her co-discovery of the world’s smallest primates, a brand-new species to science. So cool!

The Expedition Bigfoot Team (left to right): Russell Acord, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Bryce Johnson, Ronny LeBlanc.

She’s a Florida girl at heart, growing up in Miami. And she recently joined Florida International University as Director of the Exploration and Science Communication Initiative. She tells me she was an NFL cheerleader and is a girly girl who loves getting down in the mud to investigate and explore. In fact that’s what inspired her book, Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey from NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer.

You’ll love my conversation with Mireya where we talk about the challenges of parenting as a scientist and television host. “Expedition Bigfoot” weekly on the Travel Channel. Check here for listing and showtimes. Mireya can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Face book, as well as on the Web.

“Nevertheless” Documentary Goes Beyond the Headlines of #MeToo and #TimesUp Dec 09, 2019

There is powerful movement that's been taking root in Hollywood, and beyond, for the past 2 years. Many women, and some men, are standing up to say we've had enough of sexual harassment, assault, and unfair work place treatment. One of the ways we're learning about what's going on behind the scenes in Hollywood, is through documentaries like "Nevertheless." Director Sarah Moshman has built a career on providing a platform for women to tell their stories.

New Year, New Workout! With PLATEFIT Vibrating Power Plates Dec 05, 2019

Imagine shaking and shimmying your way to a fitter version of yourself in just 27 minutes. That's the idea behind PLATEFIT - a high intensity workout that uses vibrating power plates to shimmy you to skinny. Or at least, more fit. I talked with the founder of PLATEFIT Rachael Blumberg about why she created this work out, and if working out on vibrating plates really works.

Couple Friends and Comedy With Jenna Kim Jones Nov 12, 2019

My guest this week is stand up comic Jenna Kim Jones who is shedding light on the world of comedy while juggling mom life.

Making Time to Get to Know the Moms on the Clock Nov 05, 2019

The ladies from Moms on the Clock had the bright idea to partner up and combine their talents to share with the world. I can't wait for you to meet Ashley, Steff, Brooke and Beth - the moms from Moms on the Clock!

Putting Your Health First as an Actor with Teresa Reilly Oct 30, 2019

I'm so grateful that Teresa Reilly shared her story with me. And I can't wait for her to meet her new baby (which I hope she names Heather!). You can follow this inspiring mama on her new journey on her Instagram @teresaclaire.

“Arrow” Star Katrina Law On Her “Hawaii 5-0” Role and Mom Life on Set Oct 24, 2019

Katrina Law joins me to talk about her new role on "Hawaii 5-0", what she thinks about "Arrow" now, and being mom to her almost one-year-old daughter, Kinley. Don't forget to leave a review and follow MIH on Instagram!

Mom Influencers, Working with Brands, and FOMO with Erin Ziering Oct 14, 2019

In LA there seems to be an abundance of events. Every week someone is having a party, hosting a panel, or meet and greet. Honestly it's overwhelming. And a lot of mom influencers/bloggers feel the pressure to attend all of these events, usually without getting paid, to promote whatever brand is hosting. We are usually offered a few products or free tickets to something in exchange for free social media coverage. Some bloggers feel the need to go to every event, pay or not, because they don't want to be left out. On the flip side, there's FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out! Erin talks about hosting an event recently then getting a ton of messages from people who were upset at not being invited. The feeling of not being included is so hard to process that people get upset or feel less than when they don't get invited. I have felt the FOMO many times before. It sucks when you see people having a blast and you weren't invited. It's hard not to be jealous, or angry when you're not included. The thing is, events, brands, and people shouldn't define you! Say it again for the people in the back! Going to events and feeling "popular" feels great on the surface. But ask yourself, why am I sharing my life online in the first place? Why do I go to movie screenings or blogger junkets, or the latest candle release party? Is it to feel popular? Or create engaging content? Or support a friend? Maybe you connect with all of those things. There is no judgement, or singling anyone out in this episode. Just a couple of friends discussing trends we see happening and questioning how we can be better and grow our own platforms in the process.

tammin sursok — **Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning are ‘Women on Top’ in Entertainment** Oct 07, 2019
It’s rare in this world to find your mom soulmate. Even rarer still, to find her in Hollywood where everyone seems to be looking for the next leg up using people along the way. Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning clicked right away when their kids became friends in school. They even finish each others sentences and say they would marry each other if they weren’t already married.

So natch, they started a podcast. They host Women on Top on the Dear Media network. Nothing is off limits with this show. Whether they’re interviewing Heather Dubrow or Kristen Chenowith and talking about sex. Or Catherine McCord from Weelicious and talking about sex. You can bet sex, friendships, relationships, mom life will all be topics on the table. I think we talked about herpes within the first 30 seconds when I was on their show (side note: none of us have it!)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock (10227026d)
Roxy Manning, Tammin Sursok
‘Women On Top’ podcast launch party, Los Angeles, USA – 02 May 2019
Launch party for ‘Women On Top’ podcast featuring Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning, at STK restaurant in Westwood.

You can keep up with Tammin and Roxy on their Instagram @WomenonTopofficial and listen to their podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for Motherhood in Hollywood and their show as well. Who is your mom soulmate? Share below!

It’s International Podcasting Day But I’m Burned Out With My Podcast Sep 30, 2019

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

Gather ’round Gelflings! We’re Going Deep Into The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Sep 03, 2019

Three years ago I was lucky enough to be invited onto the Jim Henson Studios lot in Hollywood to interview executive producer Halle Stanford. Little did I know how much of an impact she would have on my life. We hit it off immediately because Halle's joy is contagious and she genuinely loves what she does, just like me! Now she's joining me to talk about her new show called The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix.

Why Mommy Drinks Podcast Hosts Betsy Stover & Amanda Allan Aug 27, 2019

When you find a comedy soulmate you grab ahold of them and never let go. Or at least start a podcast with them. That's what LA actors and comedians Betsy Stover and Amanda Allan did when they started the Why Mommy Drinks podcast. It's a funny, relatable and honest look at the parenting moments that drive us to drink.

Does Your Family Have a Safety Game Plan? The Game Plan Game Can Help! Aug 19, 2019

It's happened to every parent at least once, you turn around at the store, movies or mall and your kid disappears in seconds. Your heart races as your mind quickly runs through all of the horrible scenarios. Then you find the stinker hiding in a clothing rack because they think you're playing hide and seek. Can you tell this has happened to me? It's also happened to moms Ellie Kanner and Lisa Solomon who have created The Game Plan Game. It's a board game designed to teach kids life lessons as they grow and gain more independence.

Latin Talent Manager Isabel Echeverry on the Rise of Latinos in Entertainment Jul 15, 2019

Isabel Echeverry had a vision many years ago while working at ICM to help Latinos make it in Hollywood. She has a self-described gift of connecting people and lifting them up. Cut to 10 years later and her vision is now a reality. Echeverry founded Kontakto and now represents some of Hollywoods top Latin actors and entertainment companies.

Courtney Lopez Reveals How She and Mario Make it Work Jun 25, 2019

Sometimes you get just a feeling about someone when you meet them. Like they are down-to-earth and would make a great friend. That's what I felt when I met Courtney Lopez, wife of host and actor Mario Lopez. We were introduced through our mutual friend Erin Ziering a taping of Erin's talk show and immediately bonded over our love of the East Side of LA (different than East LA BTW). And after talking with her I realized we have a lot more in common than just location.

Summer Fashion Tips From Celebrity Stylist Ali Levine Jun 11, 2019

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

The New Film ‘Best Mom’ Tackles That Mom Fail Feeling Jun 03, 2019

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

Game of Thrones is Still Keeping Me Up At Night and Here’s Why May 28, 2019

Like millions of people around the world I was disappointed with the ending to Game of Thrones. Not enough to sign a petition or cancel my HBO. But enough that it's been keeping me up at night. I've been running the story lines around in my head about what could have been, or should have been. It doesn't help that I look at Twitter to see what other fans are feeling and seeing all of fan theories being shared that make a lot of sense.So when my friend Lara Scott from K-EARTH 101 invited me to her studio to air our grievances about the final season and final episode I jumped at the chance. Not just to go talk with her about one of my favorite shows, but to see the inside of her radio station. It's been 20 years since I worked in radio and I wanted to see how much has changed. And let me tell you, not much has! Things are more digital now, but the basics of DJ and mic, tossing to songs, hitting your post... all of that is the same. Radio is a classic form of entertainment and it's good to see that it's still going strong.

Jamie Denbo Finds Comedy at the Ren Faire in Lifetime’s “American Princess” May 13, 2019

I was telling my friend Heather the other day that I interviewed Jamie Denbo who created a show all about the Ren Faire. Her reaction, like mine, was...FINALLY! Why hasn't this subject been explored and put on display for all to see before? Denbo created "American Princess" which airs on Lifetime on June 2nd. I invited her to tell me about this show and how she became an actress, producer and top improviser.

Katie Locke O’Brien on Being an NBC Female Forward Director May 08, 2019

Still feeling very inspired after this conversation with Katie Locke O'Brien. She, like many, moved out to Hollywood to be an actress. But in recent years she's found creative outlets in other areas of entertainment. She applied for the inaugural NBC Diversity and Inclusion Female Forward program, was accepted and recently directed an episode of AP Bio on NBC. All within in the last 2 years!

How K-EARTH 101 Radio Host Lara Scott Became a DJ on a Dare! Apr 16, 2019

I don't know why I'm still surprised, but every week when I interview someone new I get another mom crush. Lara Scott is no exception. She is a bright light and I'm mad that I didn't meet her sooner. She is so easy to talk to and a great listener, both are qualities that make her an outstanding radio personality for K-EARTH 101.Lara got started in radio at the age of 17 in Bend, Or. She and a friend thought the local morning DJ sounded cute, so her friend dared her to call the station. She wound up asking if they were hiring and got a job. If all jobs were just that easy! Cut to many moons later and she is the midday jockey at K-Earth 101, the top radio station in LA.

Behind the Scenes of ‘Will and Grace’ with Actress and Stand In, Amy Crofoot Apr 09, 2019

When it was announced that Will and Grace was coming back, no one was more excited and surprised than my friend Amy Crofoot. Amy was a stand in for Debra Messing during the first run of the series and was invited to come back and share her talents for the second run. At first it was only going to be for a limited run, but the show was so popular NBC greenlit it for more episodes. Amy had no idea that by saying yes it would quickly expand into several seasons worth of work.

Beth Bowen on Reality TV Fame, Friendship and Finding Yourself Apr 03, 2019

I have a new mom friend! Her name is Beth Bowen and we were destined to meet. I first heard about Beth from my friend Stefanie Fair when she was on my podcast a few years ago. Stefanie suggested I reach out to Beth at that time to have her on my show but I dropped the ball and it fell through the cracks. Cut to a year and a half later and Beth and I were invited to speak on a panel at Influential Summit in Carlsbad where we bonded over our love/hate relationship with social media and the entertainment industry.

‘Married At First Sight’ Stars Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner on Parenting and Podcasting Mar 18, 2019

I can't even imagine the balls it took for Jamie Otis and Dough Hehner to get married at first sight. But that's exactly what they did! They were on the first season of the hit Lifetime show "Married at First Sight" and are coming up on their 5th wedding anniversary. In the last 5 years they've faced challenges just like every newlywed couples do, but they did it under the watchful public eye. And from what I can tell, a lot of people are rooting for them to make it! So I was very excited to talk with them and get some scoop on how they make it work.

Author of ‘How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids’ Shares Tips Mar 06, 2019

How many of you saw your marriage change in some way after having kids? It may not necessarily mean a negative shift but everyone's life changes when kids come into the picture. This week we're talking to author NYT bestselling author Jancee Dunn about her book How Not To Hate Your Hubs After Kids. She's sharing her humorous look at how her marriage changed when her daughter was born.

“Isn’t it Romantic” Screenwriter Erin Cardillo Shares Her Funny Twist on Rom Coms Feb 14, 2019

My friend Erin Cardillo is on the show this week talking about her new movie, and first movie, "Isn't it Romantic." She first started writing this movie 9 years ago. Nine years! And it's now hitting theaters. Let this serve as a lesson in not giving up on your dreams.

Kate Casey Dishes With me on Celebrity Big Brother and Who Will Win Jan 31, 2019

Kate Casey from Reality Life with Kate Casey and chat about Celebrity Big Brother! We're diving into everything from what happened to Joey Lawrence's face (why is no one talking about this??) to why she thinks Ricky Williams will win it all. I'm personally rooting for Kandi Burruss because she's been on my podcast and is a total #momboss.

**The Inside Track on YouTube Originals Casting and Talent** Jan 23, 2019
Have you been watching YouTube’s original programming? If so then you’ve undoubtedly seen the work of my friend Danny Zaccagnino. He’s the Head of Casting and Talent for YouTube Originals and has the inside track on the future of streaming content.

Ralph Macchio with Danny Zaccagnino.

Actors, listen up.

Not only is he sharing what goes on when they are casting a new show, but he talks about the “list”, what happens in the room before you come in and when you leave, and why you may not have gotten that part you were so perfect for. I can’t count the number of times I’ve driven away from an audition thinking, I totally nailed it only to realize a few days later that I didn’t get it. Actors get so caught up in what we’re wearing, how we look, and emphasizing certain words in an audition but the truth is, so much of casting has nothing to do with any of those things.

Danny used to be an actor himself, and a very talented one at that. He tells me about how he found his way into casting at MTV and worked his way up the ranks. Several years ago he jumped to YouTube and has never looked back. He’s seen countless auditions, and is very aware of up and coming talent, not just on YouTube, but in other areas as well.

YouTube Originals isn’t just casting YouTube stars so don’t run out and by a video camera just yet. They are also casting traditional, trained actors who can bring some gravitas to their shows and mingling them with YouTubers who have a large following. Sounds pretty smart if you ask me.

Chris and I have been loving the new YouTube Originals show called *Impulse*. It’s a fascinating jumper-style shows that centers around high schoolers and definitely worth your time if you haven’t seen it yet.

Another YouTube Originals hit? *Cobra Kai*. Yes the Cobra Kai from *Karate Kid*! It’s a sequel of sorts that continues the story of Danny and Johnny 30 years later. It was a huge hit for YouTube with a second season filming right now. The streaming service is diving into drama, comedy, documentary and more right on your desktop and apps on streaming boxes. We actually watch it through an app on our TV which makes it even more convenient. And Danny tells me about a few more projects that are in the works so make sure you listen to this episode for a sneak peek.

For more information about Danny and what’s happening at YouTube Originals make sure you follow him on Twitter @dannyzacc. And don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

FabFitFun Co-Founder Katie Rosen Kitchens on Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business Dec 18, 2018

FabFitFun co-founder Katie Rosen Kitchens talks about how she came up with the idea for FabFitFun, how it grew into the multi-million dollar business it is today, how influencer marketing helped, and what's next for her brand. FFF just launched FabFitFun TV and is creating content on their platforms that go beyond beauty brands and into topics that a lot of people will be interested in.

Ben is Back Writer/Director Peter Hedges Gets Personal About Addiction Dec 09, 2018

Ben is Back is writer/director Peter Hedges' way of peeling back the onion of addiction and letting us peer into the lengths parents go to to save their kids, and how desperately addicts wish their disease would go away. He talks about his famous son, Lucas Hedges who is also in the film and what it was like working with Julia Roberts.

Director Vanessa Parise and Her Breakthrough Work on “Charmed” Dec 04, 2018

Most people in Hollywood would agree that the the best thing to come out of of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement in the past year has been an increased awareness in the need for women in all areas of production. This week I'm so thrilled to talked to Vanessa Parise, Production Director and Co-Executive Producer on the CW's re-telling of "Charmed." Parise was named One of Ten Female Directors Breaking Stereotypes by SheKnows and one look at her work will tell you why. As production director, she is in charge of overseeing the visual style of each episode of "Charmed." Every visual angle of the show rests on her shoulders. The colors, the shots, the angles, the sets, the design and the overall feel must match each week.

Are You Financially Compatible With Your Partner? Jeff Motske Shares Tips to Find Out! Nov 27, 2018

My guest this week is Jeff Motske, president and CEO of Trilogy Financial, a privately held financial planning firm headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. He's written a book called "The Couple's Guide to Financial Compatibility" and he's sharing valuable information on how couples can get on the same page when it comes to money. It's not easy, but he says it doesn't have to be a source of frustration either.

Former Beauty Queen Susan Kay Wyatt on Raising a Confident, Courageous and Compassionate Daughter Nov 15, 2018

My guest is former Miss Ohio and Miss American contestant Susan Kay Wyatt. She agrees that modern pageants objectify women and hold them to impossible beauty standards. She's also written a book about her experiences in the pageant world and thought-provoking insights as to why she would never let her daughter compete in a pageant.

Parental Bullying and Entitlement: How to Identify it and Stop it Oct 29, 2018

My guest this week is Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist, professor and relationship expert at TONE Networks. She explains how parental entitlement is becoming an epidemic and what parents and educators,who are being bullied by other parents, should do

life in boobs — **The Joy, The Heartbreak, and The Honesty of “Life in Boobs”** Oct 23, 2018

If you have boobs you’re going to want to listen to this episode. If you don’t, you should listen anyway because you will learn a lot. My guests today are Casey Christensen and Jennifer Goodman from the musical, “Life in Boobs.”

The Cast of “Life in Boobs”

These awesome mamas dropped by my house so we could chat about where the idea to produce a musical about boobs came from. Goodman says it was her idea, which she shared with Christensen several years ago. Eventually, after having kids and a few life detours, they got Rachel Lawrence on board to write the music and “Life in Boobs” was born.

Book by Casey Christensen

They tell me it’s a series of stories that highlights the “trials and tribulations of boobs everywhere.” And, it’s set to music. The stories touch on everything from motherhood, to breast cancer and they were all written by Christensen.

Conceived by Jennifer Goodman

Right now these mamas are workshopping their production, hoping to get the attention of some big Broadway investors. We talk about the process of getting an original musical off the ground and I have to be honest, it sounds really hard.

Composer Rachael Lawrence

That’s why I’m so happy to support in any way I can. Listen to this episode to find out more about “Life in Boobs” or you can visit their website, www.lifeinboobs.com. Don’t forget to follow them on social media so you can see if they make it to Broadway and how these boobs will continue to evolve.

A Barbie Girl in a Barbie World: Mattel Communications VP Talks “Tiny Shoulders” [podcast] Oct 08, 2018

I was watching Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie on Hulu and had so many thoughts about Barbie and how women relate to her. It's a new documentary that shows the inner workings of the Barbie team at Mattel headquarters. One of the key players on that team is Michelle Chidoni. She is the Vice President of Global Communications for Mattel and is tasked with making sure an iconic brand doesn't slide into PR nightmare when the brand decides to rethink Barbie in a modern world.

Everything You Need to Know About Disney Aulani [podcast] Oct 01, 2018

We just got back from Disney Aulani and my mind is racing because I have so much to share. So I invited my favorite guest on the show, who also happened to be on the trip with me, to talk it over. Chris Brooker and I are dissecting every detail of our recent trip to the Disney Aulani Resort and Spa in this week's episode.

Transitioning to Kindergarten and Juggling New Jobs Aug 27, 2018

I invited Chris Brooker back on the show to talk me through this major life change. We started off talking about the perils of kindergarten, and ended up talking about LA Food and Wine. Let's just say, we cover a lot in this episode and it's worth your time. I love it when Chris comes on the show. I often wonder how different the show would be if I had him on as a weekly guest from the beginning. Would I still be as famous as I am now? Would famous people still talk to me? Probably not. I guess the path I took is best but I will always wonder.

UrbanSitter Shares Tips For Finding Child Care On Their New App Aug 13, 2018

I invited the CEO and Co-Founder of UrbanSitter to share her thoughts with me. Lynn Perkins created UrbanSitter as a quick, effective tool for parents to search for child care online. As a mom herself, she tells me friends were always asking her for recommendations on a sitter and that sparked the idea to start her own website. Cut to several years later and UrbanSitter is one of the most used child care websites out there. Lynn says that's because they offer 3 critical components to child care: recommendations from people you trust, performance data and quality care providers.

Mindy Cohn on ‘The Facts of Life’ Reboot and Her Charity Work Aug 06, 2018

My podcast episodes aren't usually very newsworthy or timely but this week is an exception. Just days after I recorded my interview with Mindy Cohn, news broke about the very thing we discussed-a Facts of Life reboot or reunion. It wasn't the main reason why I wanted to interview her but it came up in our conversation and what she told me was surprising.

UP TV’s Amy Winter on Creating Positive Programming For Families Aug 01, 2018

UP TV is hoping to change that. My guest this week is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of UP TV, Amy Winter. She says she's rebranded the network to gear programming toward families without sacrificing quality. I met her recently at a premiere party for UP Tv's newest show, Our Wedding Story. Grab the tissue when you watch because it's a very moving shows where couples share their love story. No explosions. No swears. No sex. Just beautiful story telling. Producers Nick and Colin from Blue Kite Cinema say they're goal is to create a cinematic documentary rather than a reality show, and I think they've done exactly that. Every shot is beautiful and the editing moves the story along so you feel like you've been on the whole journey with each couple.

tara strong — **Tara Strong on ‘Teen Titans Go! To The Movies’ and Being the J-Lo of Comic-Con** Jul 23, 2018

You’ve probably been listening to Tara Strong for years and never knew it. This mama is a powerhouse in the voice over world, voicing characters like Twilight Sparkle in *My Little Pony*, Harley Quinn in *DC Super Hero Girls* and Raven in *Teen Titans Go! To The Movies.* I’ve been wanting to interview her for years and it finally happened!

Tara says she knew she wanted to be an actress and create funny voices when she was just 4-years-old. Before I had Channing I used to think people who knew what they wanted to do when they were that young were just making it up for a good story. But Channing most definitely talks about being an artist all the time and I have no doubt she will do something in the arts. What a wonderful gift to know your calling at a young age!

Chan is also a huge fan of *My Little Pony*, and honestly, all of the shows Tara voices. So to get a chance to hear her story and talk to her about her career was a treat. She also tells me about being a mom of 2 boys and what kinds of animation they’re into.

My favorite part of this interview was talking to Tara about her fans. She calls herself the J-Lo of Comic-Con because she’s bombarded at SDCC. As you can imagine, fans from all over the world dress up as her characters. So it only makes sense they know who she is and would recognize her at an event like this. I also had to ask her about the Bronies, the adult group of My Little Pony fans, because I saw a documentary a few years ago that was very enlightening. You should watch it!

Tara is the voice of Raven in *Teen Titans Go!* and that is Channing’s favorite character on that show. I resisted the urge to have to her say something to Chan as Raven because I’m trying to be profesh. But I really wish I would have! *Teen Titans Go! To The Movies* is so much fun and my girl loved it. Actually, we all did.

We went to a sneak peek of *TTG* a few weeks ago and had a blast. The movie follows the Titans as they try to get into the movie biz. It seems to the Teens that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies—everyone but them! But de facto leader Robin is determined to remedy the situation and be seen as a star instead of a sidekick. If only they could get the hottest Hollywood film director to notice them. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their heart, the Teen Titans head to Tinsel Town, certain to pull off their dream. But when the group is radically misdirected by a seriously Super-Villain and his maniacal plan to take over the Earth, things really go awry. The team finds their friendship and their fighting spirit failing, putting the very fate of the Teen Titans themselves on the line!

The movie is silly, and never takes itself too seriously. There is a lot in there for adults too. So many references to the DC world and Marvel will keep parents engaged and lots of fart jokes to keep the kids entertained. You guys know I’m not a movie reviewer but if I was I would give this film the thumbs up for parents of superhero fans. Chan lol’d a lot and so did we. Tara tells me she has a lot of fun playing Raven as well.

The cast of Tara Strong (Raven), Scott Menville (Robin), Greg Cipes (Beast Boy), Hynden Walch (Starfire) and Khary Patyon (Cyborg) have been together since 2013 when the TV series started. In *Teen Titans Go! To The Movies* they are joined by Will Arnett as the voice of Slade, Kristen Bell as Jade, and Nicholas Cage as Superman. Arnett also Executive Produces this film and you can’t miss his signature sense of humor as the Deadpool-like character, Slade. Your kids will love it and if you like superheros and the sound of your child’s laughter, then you will too.

To keep up with Tara, follow her on Twitter at @TaraStrong. *Teen Titans Go! To The Movies* opens everywhere July 27th! Don’t forget to subscribe to MIH podcast on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode!

sdcc 2018 — **Why You Should Turn Off Your TV Long Enough To Go To Comic-Con** Jul 16, 2018
Heather and Heather at SDCC 2016 at the SyFy Magicians party.

The last week or so in Southern California, the heat has been scorching, over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high humidity and relatively uncomfortable outdoors. Which means, it is a great time to catch up on some great television.

It used to be that summer was all “guilty pleasure” tv. In the past, summer had been referred to as the “dumping ground” for television. It was a time when networks would either air re-runs, or “dump” a show that they felt was something that was a “hard sell” to both audiences and advertisers. However, in the last 5 years or so, with the rise of premium cable and streaming services, and a push by all mediums to produce original content, summer is no longer the barren desert wasteland it once was.

As we head into the week of San Diego Comic Con (July 19-22^nd) I have been watching and re-watching some of my favorite shows, here’s a little “tv primer”:

Claws on TNT– I love this show, Niecy Nash is the brilliant (and wonderfully dramatic) anchor to this wacky, weird and wonderful show about a group of women who run a nail salon while getting entangled in the mafia dealings of Palmetto, Florida. It is such a great show about strong women struggling to keep their bond of sisterhood stronger than the world of drugs, sex and violence that surrounds (and threatens to drown) them. This show is set in a colorful, off-the-wall world that is sexy, seedy, and unapologetic. The cast is so fun, but Carrie Preston is one of my favorites.

Glow on Netflix– This show just brings me so much joy. I just finished Season 2, it is very binge-able, most episodes are right around 30 minutes. The 80’s music, hair and costumes are so fantastic, and the cast is awesome. The pacing and balance between dramatic and comedic is perfect, and it so wonderfully celebrates female empowerment and sisterhood, and doesn’t shy away from the complexities of female relationships.

The Magicians on SyFy– This show is seriously one of my favorite things being done in the fantasy genre. The ensemble cast is so great, and they get a great roster of guest stars. This last season(season 3) stand-outs were Marlee Matlin and Candis Cayne.

The Good Place on NBC– One of the smartest and snarkiest shows on tv, now is the time to catch up on this amazing series before it comes back for season 3 on NBC this fall. Come for the writing, and stay for the fantastic cast. Ted Danson (just nominated for an Emmy!) is an “otherworldly” being who has constructed a “perfect” afterlife for humans like Eleanor (Kristen Bell) to dwell in for eternity. However Eleanor (as we see) was not a good person in her life on earth and realizes she has ended up in the Good Place by clerical error. Comedy ensues. This show is a brilliant and hilarious study in ethics, social conforms, and what truly makes us human.

The biggest summer celebration of television (and everything pop-culture) is San Diego Comic Con, with reunions of TV shows past, sneak peeks at upcoming shows, and celebrations of current television. There are giant displays that are replicas of sets and characters for photo ops, immersive role-playing fan experiences, meet-and-greet with cast and crew. It is a tv fan’s paradise (especially a fan of sci-fi, fantasy driven and superhero genres), and I am so excited to be going for a few days next week. There is (as usual) an insane amount of panels and activities to cover in the 4 days, but I’d thought I’d highlight a few TV centric things I’m looking forward to:

Current shows panels– The ultimate reward for a loyal fandom is to bring the cast in for a panel at Comic-Con. Most times these panels include a sneak peek into the next season (often times they have begun shooting it) or a blooper reel from last season and a Q&A w/ the cast. There are so many, it’s impossible to go to them all, but here are some standouts:

Thursday, July 19^th– Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Brooklyn Nine-nine, Better Call Saul

Friday, July 20^th– The Walking Dead, The Venture Brothers, Archer, Preacher, Bob’s Burgers, Star Trek:Discovery

Saturday, July 21^st– Black Lightning, The Good Place, The Orville, The Magicians, The Gifted, Man in High Castle, Family Guy, Arrow and The Flash

Sunday, July 22^nd– Supernatural and Riverdale

New Show peeks– SDCC is where studios love to give audiences a first look and gage reaction- this can really build (or kill) momentum for a new series. A few I’m interested in:

Tell Me a Story on CBS All Access– A reimagining of the world’s most beloved fairy tales as dark and twisted psychological thrillers in modern-day New York City. Executive producer Kevin Williamson and stars Paul Wesley and James Wolk.

Castle Rock on Hulu – of J. J. Abrams and Stephen King’s psychological-horror series w/ Sissy Spacek, Melanie Lynskey and Bill Skaarsgard (yep, Pennywise from It). Listen to an interview Heather Brooker did with the assistant director on MIH podcast!

Nightflyers on SyFy- A space-thriller from George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones in space? Yesssss!

Interactive exhibits– Studios go for broke with displays and exhibits, the visuals are big and bright, and fan-interaction is at a premium. Every year, these experiences get bigger and better. FX will be doing “FXhibition” featuring Legion, American Horror Story, Mayans M.C. and Archer. We will literally be stepping into The Good Place from NBC, getting caught in the espionage with Jack Ryan for Amazon, go camping with Adult Swim, and visit the town of Castle Rock for Hulu.

Celebrating the off-camera professionals. The world of television lives and breathes with everyone behind the camera. There are panels that cover every aspect of TV production, from pitching your project, locations scouting, costume design, marketing your project. If you have any interest in creating and producing your own content, there are wonderful opportunities to learn and make contacts with working professionals (and experts in their field) at Comic-con.

Parties, celebrities and Meet-ups! The social aspect of Comic-Con is all around, with networks like Warner Brothers and NBC sponsoring parties and cocktail hours, Entertainment Weekly, IMDB and SYFY hosting social soirees that offer up the potential to see (and maybe chat with) celebrities from your favorite shows, or network with professionals and fellow fans.

As a television addict, I am looking forward to spending a few days completely immersed in a giant celebration of on-screen story-telling and fandom. San Diego Comic-Con is one week away, and we are getting super excited for the wonderful wild and wacky trip that is “The Con”. Follow me on Instagram at @hnharper8 to see what we find!

Tips For Acting With Confidence From Acting Coach Shannon Sturges Jul 10, 2018

My guest this week is actress and acting coach Shannon Sturges from Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio. Shannon has appeared on several soap operas like Passions and Port Charles as well as shows like The Mentalist. She's left the day-to-day hustle of auditioning behind and now focuses her talents on helping other actors. We share some real talk about shaking the audition jitters, what George Clooney means when he says "Just deliver the pizza!", and how actors can have more realistic expectations in this business.

**How To Get Your Kids Cast In Reality, Game, and Talent Shows** Jun 25, 2018
Have you ever watched a game show and thought, I could be on that show! Or seen *Little Big Shots* and wondered where they found such incredible kids? My guest this week is Raphael Dorval who works in casting for reality shows, game shows and some of the hottest talent shows on TV. And he has some advice for parents who want to get their kids noticed.

Raphael says parents who think their kids are talented and want to catch the eye of a show like *Ellen* or *America’s Got Talent* need to just start filming their kids doing the cool thing they do. It’s that simple. He says too many parents think they need to have perfect lighting or big production value before they get their kids on tape but realistically you don’t need much. Just start filming your tiny dancer, brilliant gymnast or terrific tap dancer and you’re already ahead of the game.

He also suggests parents get involved in Facebook groups for child actors or talented kids. Casting directors are always looking in those groups and places like YouTube and Instagram for the next big star. In this episode, Raphael reveals exactly where he finds talented kids and what they need to get started in showing off their talent. You can also join the private Motherhood in Hollywood Facebook group where I post casting notices from time to time.

We also talked about the snobbery that comes with game show casting. He talks about the assumptions people make when it comes to game shows. But who hasn’t day dreamed about being on The Price Is Right? I’ve tried twice to be on that show and never made it. He points out that being on game shows are an easy, fun way to make a little money.

He knows some people worry about the stigma it could ruin future career opportunities or that Hollywood won’t take you seriously if you’ve been a contestant on a game show. But look at people like Aaron Paul and John Hamm who were on game shows and went on to have very successful careers.

Bottom line, getting cast on a talent show or game show could be a fun way for your family to make money to help pay for acting supplies like headshots and classes. So why not give it a try? Raphael and his team are always looking for new talent and interesting contestants. To apply to be on shows like LET’S MAKE A DEAL, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, FAMILY FEUD, MATCH GAME, or TO TELL THE TRUTH visit Fremantlecasting.com and fill out the online application.

Or if you think you have a talented kid, film their talent and send it to Raphaeldorvalcasting@gmail.com. Then if you hit it big remember who sent ya! Make sure you follow Raphael on Instagram at @RaphaelDorval and break legs breaking into the biz!

Diablo Cody & Jason Reitman Talk Tully, Muses, And Hollywood Remakes Jun 20, 2018

I recently caught up with Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody and Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman to talk about their new film Tully. They shared with me everything from the inspiration for the film, to what they think about the trend of Hollywood remakes and re-imaginings happening right now.

sasha alexander — **Sasha Alexander On ‘Bernard and Huey’, Independent Films And Roles For Women** Jun 04, 2018

You’ve no doubt seen Sasha Alexander on your TV screen sometime in the last few decades. She’s been a working actress for many years on shows like *Dawson’s Creek*, *Rizzoli and Isles*, and *Shameless*. But she’s also a big supporter of independent film and tells me her latest project is a great example of what a true independent film looks like in today’s fast-paced super-sized movie world.

*Bernard and Huey* was written by legendary, Pulitzer Prize and Oscar® winner Jules Feiffer (*Carnal Knowledge*, *Popeye*) and stars Bernard (Jim Rash) and Huey (David Koechner). As teens, Bernard is the more introverted, less socially successful of the two, and Huey is the outgoing ladies’ man. Years later, the two reconnect, to find that the tables have turned and they become entwined in one-another’s lives in bizarre ways.

Alexander, along with Mae Whitman, Nancy Travis and Bellamy Young add a much-needed female presence to the film. Alexander tells me the women stepped into what felt like a very masculine story and added their own fierce perspective to their parts. After all the film was initially written back in the 80’s and was supposed to be about characters from the 50’s. Alexander tells me the script underwent several revisions to make it what it is today.

Sasha Alexander, Dan Mirvish and Bellamy Young

We also talked about the need for more truly independent films at the box office so moviegoers don’t get stuck in a superhero rut. And she tells me how wonderfully written roles for women are being done on the small screen. Alexander says she’s being more particular about which roles she takes these days because her family needs are a priority.

She’s been a series regular on several series so she’s not eager to jump back into one right now. But she says she is eager to continue to playing rich characters and working with wonderful people like Jim Rash. Almost all of her scenes were with Rash and she says he was an amazing actor to work with.

If nothing else, she says you should watch *Bernard and Huey* just to see Jim Rash shirtless. Curious? *Bernard and Huey* opens in select theaters and several digital platforms on June 8th. And you can follow Sasha on Twitter at @SashaAlexander.

bernard and huey — **Sasha Alexander On ‘Bernard and Huey’, Independent Films And Roles For Women** Jun 04, 2018

You’ve no doubt seen Sasha Alexander on your TV screen sometime in the last few decades. She’s been a working actress for many years on shows like *Dawson’s Creek*, *Rizzoli and Isles*, and *Shameless*. But she’s also a big supporter of independent film and tells me her latest project is a great example of what a true independent film looks like in today’s fast-paced super-sized movie world.

*Bernard and Huey* was written by legendary, Pulitzer Prize and Oscar® winner Jules Feiffer (*Carnal Knowledge*, *Popeye*) and stars Bernard (Jim Rash) and Huey (David Koechner). As teens, Bernard is the more introverted, less socially successful of the two, and Huey is the outgoing ladies’ man. Years later, the two reconnect, to find that the tables have turned and they become entwined in one-another’s lives in bizarre ways.

Alexander, along with Mae Whitman, Nancy Travis and Bellamy Young add a much-needed female presence to the film. Alexander tells me the women stepped into what felt like a very masculine story and added their own fierce perspective to their parts. After all the film was initially written back in the 80’s and was supposed to be about characters from the 50’s. Alexander tells me the script underwent several revisions to make it what it is today.

Sasha Alexander, Dan Mirvish and Bellamy Young

We also talked about the need for more truly independent films at the box office so moviegoers don’t get stuck in a superhero rut. And she tells me how wonderfully written roles for women are being done on the small screen. Alexander says she’s being more particular about which roles she takes these days because her family needs are a priority.

She’s been a series regular on several series so she’s not eager to jump back into one right now. But she says she is eager to continue to playing rich characters and working with wonderful people like Jim Rash. Almost all of her scenes were with Rash and she says he was an amazing actor to work with.

If nothing else, she says you should watch *Bernard and Huey* just to see Jim Rash shirtless. Curious? *Bernard and Huey* opens in select theaters and several digital platforms on June 8th. And you can follow Sasha on Twitter at @SashaAlexander.

lisa henson — **Lisa Henson On Her Father’s Legacy & Doozers on Hulu** May 23, 2018
Lisa Henson is no stranger to creating shows kids love. But despite her father’s huge name and company, she didn’t start out in children’s programming. She started making movies at Columbia and Warner Brothers and after decades of working in mainstream adult content, found herself back home at The Henson Company.

Lisa is the CEO and President of The Henson Company and works alongside her brother Brian who is the Chairman. They produce new shows like *Dot,Splash and Bubbles*, *Sid The Science Kid* and a new show *Fraggle Rock* fans will love called *Doozers*. Remember those loveable green guys that were always working hard to build things, right as the Fraggles destroyed them.

Well the Doozers are back and building up a storm. The new CG animated series for preschoolers incorporates STEAM lessons – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics – while also having fun.

The animated preschool series *Doozers* focuses on four Doozers kids, a team of best friends who live in Doozer Creek, a community that is a wonderful blending of the fantastical, modern, and eco-friendly.

Henson tells me that one of their main goals with children’s programming is to incorporate teaching moments whether its’ STEAM lessons like in *Doozers*, or digital responsibility like their show *Dot* from author Randi Zuckerberg.

In fact, The Henson Company has been creating a lot of things that kids love. There’s been no shortage of ideas and Lisa has been executive producer of all of them. She shares with me that although they love their new shows, they also pay close attention to what she calls their “legacy” shows and how they create content around those.

One of my favorite shows grown up was *Fraggle Rock.* And I was thrilled to find out there is a *Fraggle Rock* movie in the works! It will star Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Lisa also shares with me what it was like as a busy movie executive while balancing motherhood. She felt like because she waited later in life to have kids, she had established her career and could make more time for the kind of needs that come along with kids. And of course we also talked about her father’s legacy, what kind of puppets she played with as a kid and where she sees The Henson Company going in the future.

Lisa Henson with her father Jim Henson. Courtesy @The Jim Henson Company

She also shared with me what show she has the most affinity for because it was her idea, and her father made it for her. What a legacy indeed.

Watch for the new season of Dooers on May 25th on Hulu. Executive Produced by Lisa Henson

Make sure you check out the Henson Family Hub to keep up with all their new shows and ways to interact with The Henson Company. And follow them on Instagram @hensonfamilyhub. And watch the new season of Doozers May 25th on Hulu!

doozers — **Lisa Henson On Her Father’s Legacy & Doozers on Hulu** May 23, 2018
Lisa Henson is no stranger to creating shows kids love. But despite her father’s huge name and company, she didn’t start out in children’s programming. She started making movies at Columbia and Warner Brothers and after decades of working in mainstream adult content, found herself back home at The Henson Company.

Lisa is the CEO and President of The Henson Company and works alongside her brother Brian who is the Chairman. They produce new shows like *Dot,Splash and Bubbles*, *Sid The Science Kid* and a new show *Fraggle Rock* fans will love called *Doozers*. Remember those loveable green guys that were always working hard to build things, right as the Fraggles destroyed them.

Well the Doozers are back and building up a storm. The new CG animated series for preschoolers incorporates STEAM lessons – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics – while also having fun.

The animated preschool series *Doozers* focuses on four Doozers kids, a team of best friends who live in Doozer Creek, a community that is a wonderful blending of the fantastical, modern, and eco-friendly.

Henson tells me that one of their main goals with children’s programming is to incorporate teaching moments whether its’ STEAM lessons like in *Doozers*, or digital responsibility like their show *Dot* from author Randi Zuckerberg.

In fact, The Henson Company has been creating a lot of things that kids love. There’s been no shortage of ideas and Lisa has been executive producer of all of them. She shares with me that although they love their new shows, they also pay close attention to what she calls their “legacy” shows and how they create content around those.

One of my favorite shows grown up was *Fraggle Rock.* And I was thrilled to find out there is a *Fraggle Rock* movie in the works! It will star Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Lisa also shares with me what it was like as a busy movie executive while balancing motherhood. She felt like because she waited later in life to have kids, she had established her career and could make more time for the kind of needs that come along with kids. And of course we also talked about her father’s legacy, what kind of puppets she played with as a kid and where she sees The Henson Company going in the future.

Lisa Henson with her father Jim Henson. Courtesy @The Jim Henson Company

She also shared with me what show she has the most affinity for because it was her idea, and her father made it for her. What a legacy indeed.

Watch for the new season of Dooers on May 25th on Hulu. Executive Produced by Lisa Henson

Make sure you check out the Henson Family Hub to keep up with all their new shows and ways to interact with The Henson Company. And follow them on Instagram @hensonfamilyhub. And watch the new season of Doozers May 25th on Hulu!

Mom Guilt: The Good, The Bad And The Necessary With The Mama Ladder May 14, 2018

Crystalee Beck, Co-Founder of The Mama Ladder - a company that empowers mom entrepreneurs to take bold action with BIG heart. Create your own ladder™. They help moms climb after business dreams that fit your family. Crystalee tells me how The Mama Ladder was built with her partner Lynette Evans as a way to help women around the world thrive at the intersection of mamahood and entrepreneurship. They offer one-on-one business mentoring as well as a plan of action to help women ditch the corporate ladder and start building a ladder to success of their choosing. They're also giving details on a business grant moms can apply for!

Tully Gives Us An Unfiltered Look At Motherhood and Postpartum Challenges Apr 30, 2018

Tully star Ron Livingston talks with me about his role as a father on screen and off and what it was like working with Charlize Theron. I also grabbed Nia Vardalos as she walked the red carpet at the premiere of Tully to ask her about her inspiring story of motherhood and what's next in the "My Big Fat Greek" world. You'll love what she says she's working on!

Ashley Eckstein Unlocks The Secrets Of Positivity In Her New Disney Book ‘It’s Your Universe’ Apr 30, 2018

Her Universe founder and actress Ashley Eckstein talks about her new book "It's Your Universe: You have the power to make it happen." The book is filled with inspiring, engaging activity that will motivate readers young and old. She tells me how she started her fangirl clothing line in 2009, met her prince charming a year later, and became the voice of Ahsoka Tano in several Star Wars animated projects.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE — **I Can Only Imagine Shatters Expectations With A Heartfelt Message** Apr 23, 2018

It’s a story similar to David and Goliath. A small budget movie about faith and forgiveness goes up against the big bad Hollywood to prove it’s worth. Nobody imagined *I Can Only Imagine* would beat out big budget box office films and open in the number 3 spot in the country. But the films’ producers say they not only imagined it, they prayed for it too.

I sat down with Kevin Downes, an actor-turned-producer, who told me he and his collaborators had a plan from the beginning. They wanted to tell the story of Bart Millard, the lead singer of a Christian band called Mercy Me. Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur.

When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart’s troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as singer of the Christian band Mercy Me.

The movie was directed by the Erwin brothers, Andrew and Jon Erwin and stars Dennis Quaid, Cloris Leachman, Trace Adkins and Broadway star J. Michael Finley as Bart. In August 2017 Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions signed on as distributors giving the film a nationwide release.

But Downes tells me they began marketing the film, which shot mostly in Oklahoma, months before it was released. It helped that *I Can Only Imagine* was already a hit on the Christian music charts and the band was performing in on tour while promoting the film. More importantly, he says this movie strikes a chord with people in the “flyover states” who feel left out of the Hollywood conversation. He says they are craving content that appeals to them and their values as much as a Marvel fan craves the next Avengers.

And the proof is in the box office numbers. So far, *I Can Only Imagine* has made $75 million dollars and was made for only $7 million making it the highest grossing film ever for Roadside Attractions. Talk about a return on your investment! Downes tells me they knew all along something Hollywood didn’t know: David always wins.

To listen to the full interview make sure you subscribe to my show on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

colin ferguson — **Eureka’s Colin Ferguson Talks Fatherhood, SyFy and The Infamous Hollywood “It” List [podcast]** Apr 11, 2018
I had so much fun chatting with Colin Ferguson (*Eureka*, *You’re The Worst*, *The Vampire Diaries*) about what it means to be a working actor in Hollywood today and how much the industry has changed. We met at the grand opening for The Museum of Selfies (Yes this is a real thing!) and immediately bonded over the fact that we have kids the same age and loving going to events close to our house. Driving in LA is no joke ya’ll.

Colin tells me he’s recognized most for his work on the SyFy show Eureka (he’s also the Maytag Man!) where he played Sheriff Jack Carter. My husband Chris was a fan of the show so as a result, I watched a lot of Eureka. But Colin has actually been a working actor since he landed in LA from Canada in the 90’s. We talked about how different the industry is now for actors meaning, no more headshot drop offs and going to your agents office to pick up sides. Every thing is done online which means anyone in the world can be considered for a role now. That’s a lot of competition in an industry that’s already saturated.

Speaking of the digital age, Colin tells me he doesn’t feel pressure to post about his life so he skips out on most of the social media hoopla. This is a mindset that’s virtually unheard of in today’s industry. Many stars are pressured to constantly post about their personal lives and drive traffic to their social media. I feel that pressure and I’m nowhere near as a big a celebrity as someone like Colin. You’ll love hearing what he said about it and how his agents feel.

We also talk about how his focus has completely changed since becoming a father. He’s now more particular about the roles and projects he takes on because he truly wants to be there for his son. That’s a huge challenge in an industry that regularly demands 12-14 hour days and to be away from home for months at a time. So how has it affected his career? You’ll have to listen to this episode to find out.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes and leave a review!

kate casey — **Reality Life Podcast Host & Mom of 5 Kate Casey Talks #MomLife** Mar 27, 2018
Kate Casey is back! This time we’re revealing her latest news, baby number five is on the way! In fact her gender reveal video went viral because her sweet son was hoping for a baby brother. Let’s just say he was a little disappointed with the reveal.

Kate hosts the hugely successful Reality Life podcast where she unpacks her passion for reality TV. Everything from the Kardashians to the Housewives is up for grabs. Each week she features celebrity guests and sometimes real people, like me! In fact I was a guest on episode 8 of her show and we’ve been friends ever since.

She also has a blog where she’s been dishing out the real side of parenting for many years called Love and Knuckles. We talk about how we think people are shying away from the standard blogging format and turning to more personal forms of content sharing like podcasting and vlogging. I’ve noticed a lot of traditional bloggers are struggling to find their audience, especially if they just started in the last few years. Unless you go viral with a post or video it’s really hard to gain traction on a traditional website.

That’s why so many people are turning to podcasts as a way to connect with their audience. Obviously Kate and I are leading the way in that area. You can hear more of our mom chat, plus what reality shows she’s into, my favorite reality show of all time, and more in this episode. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for Motherhood in Hollywood and Reality Life with Kate Casey!

anne cecere BMI — **How BMI Changed The Film & TV Music Landscape [WonderCon Exclusive]** Mar 19, 2018

Music is a big part of our family. It’s either constantly playing, or we’re trying to learn to play an instrument. Lately, Channing has been into the guitar and let me tell you, I’m already having visions of her in a rock band and it’s awesome. So when I had the opportunity to interview someone truly influential in the music industry I jumped at the chance.

Anne Cecere is the Senior Director, Film, TV & Visual Media Relations at BMI – a music rights company. Cecere is the visionary behind creating a platform at WonderCon of composers and creators. In 2009, she realized there was no discussion of any music at any of the Con festivals. So she championed for the opportunity to have BMI composers involved at WonderCon by giving them the opportunity to elaborate on the importance of music behind some of TV’s biggest shows, films and video games.

L to R Gabriel Mann (Composer for “School of Rock”) Steven Vincent (VP of Music and Soundtracks- The Disney Channel) Anne Cecere (Co-moderator and Senior Director, Film, TV & Visual Media, BMI) Christopher Lennertz (Composer for Galavant) Chandler Poling (Co-Moderator and President of White Bear PR) Rachel Rusch (VP of Event Series at FOX – Oversaw Grease Live!) Jeffrey Hornaday (Director: Teen Beach Movie & Choreographer for films, Flashdance, A Chorus Line and Dick Tracy)

She tells me that the Con people in power initially told her “no”, citing that no one would come to a music panel. And in 2010 she proved them wrong by hosting the first BMI panel at WonderCon to a packed house. The BMI music panels are now some of the most anticipated and attended panels at both WonderCon and Comic-Con. Cecere believes, and rightly so, that music is just as much of a character playing alongside Wonder Woman, Superman, Spiderman, Rick & Morty and so many more cult classics.

Anne Cecere congratulating Iconic BMI composer John Williams after one of his concerts at the Hollywood Bowl

As the BMI panels grew in popularity at both WonderCon and Comic-Con, it attracted major TV networks and creators. The networks offered exclusive footage and the creators asked to join the conversation of the important of music’s role in TV, film and video games. Over the years, the BMI panels at WonderCon and Comic-Con have included exclusive footage from shows such as *Arrow*and *Looper*, included award-winning composers such as Blake Neely, Christopher Lennertz, Charles Fox, Nathan Barr, John Ottman, Tyler Bates, Laura Karpman, Lolita Ritmanis, Heather McIntosh and many more. In addition, top Film, TV and video game executives and creators have also participated.

In addition to changing the culture of the Cons, she is also a new mommy to a baby boy. She tells me she and her husband are avid cosplayers and that her son Jackson has already dressed up for his first Con. It’s so awesome to see moms working their passion into parenting. I do the same with Channing which is why she eats so much cheese!

L to R Chandler poling (co-moderator and President White Bear PR) Harry Manfredini (Composer Friday the 13th) Charles Bernstein (Composer Nightmare on Elm Street) Tyler Bates (Composer Dawn of The Dead) Anne Cecere (Co-Moderator and Sr Director, Film, TV & Visual Media, BMI) Laura Karpman (Composer Carrie) Richard Band (Composer Re-Animator) Maurizio Guarini (of the group Goblin…composed the music for Suspiria) Douglas Tait (Special guest that introduced the panel…Actor who played Jason in the film Freddy vs Jason)

I loved chatting with Anne and you will truly be inspired by her story too. If you’d like to catch the BMI panel at WonderCon and see the magic of music for your self, the schedule is here.

WonderCon runs March 23rd-26th in Anaheim. You can follow the latest news from BMI on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

disneysmmc — **What is #DisneySMMC and how can you join in the fun?** Mar 07, 2018
Last October I opened a very special email while dressed as Mrs. Potts. I had been selected to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference Land and Sea adventure at Disney World. I was dressed like Mrs. Potts because we were at Disneyland for Mickey’s Halloween Party so to say we were excited is an understatement. And honestly, I have no idea why I was chosen out of tens of thousands of bloggers but I’ve pieced together some ideas that might help if this is something you want to be a part of.

First, let’s talk about what the #DisneySMMC is. It’s an annual conference hosted by Disney and typically involves a visit to Disney World or another Disney park/resort. This particular year we were invited to spend 5 days in the park then embark on a 3 day Disney Cruise Line trip to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

During the event bloggers are treated to VIP access to certain shows, extra fast passes to rides and attractions and some meals. We are also given the opportunity to hear directly from Disney leaders and execs about upcoming projects involving the park, entertainment, and digital content. So as you can see, this is a coveted opportunity to learn from the very best. I’ve even seen some bloggers refer to it as getting “pixie dusted” because so few are given the chance to attend and it seems like luck for those who are chosen.

That being said, there was about 200 bloggers in attendance so quite a few people were pixie dusted. I know it might seem like a lot, but it’s really not that many when you consider there are millions of bloggers in the US alone. So what does it take to get in on this exclusive invite? I’m still not exactly sure but I’ll give you my best guess and some tips I think might help if you’re trying to get some pixie dust thrown your way.

Tips to Get An Invite to #DisneySMMC

1. **Follow @DisneyMoms on Twitter**

The DisneyMoms account is your first step to getting on the invite radar. Admittedly, I was not following this account when I got the invite so that pokes holes in my theory right away. But as soon as I started reading about this event I realized I needed to follow them to stay in the know. Follow them and interact with their posts regularly but don’t be annoying about it. There were some really gung-ho people on this trip and I just kept wanting to say, calm down. You made it. You don’t have to be so thirsty!

2. **Follow all @Disney accounts and interact with them.**

This is in line with #1 because Disney is really big on Twitter. In fact, all of the name badges for the attendees had their Twitter handle on them. Not Instagram or Facebook or Pinterest but Twitter. That should tell you something right there. Follow @WDWToday, @WaltDisneyWorld, and the Disney Parks Blog @DisneyParks just to get you started. Like, comment, retweet, repeat.

3. **Join the #DisneySMMC Alumni & Hopefuls Facebook group**

This is not an officially recognized group by Disney. However, there are thousands of bloggers in here who have first hand knowledge of the ins and outs of Disney parks, resorts and contacts. They are a great resource for information and making connections. I joined this group last summer when I was invited to the #DisneySMMC event at Disneyland. However, that is not a pre-requisite because many of my friends at that event did not get invited to the big Land and Sea event at Disney World.

4. **Use the #DisneySMMC hashtag**

A lot of people think you have to be a Disney blogger to attend this conference and I can attest that’s not true. I’m not a Disney blogger, but I have written about Disney movies and of course our trips to Disneyland. And when I do, I’ve used the #DisneySMMC hashtag. That makes your posts searchable by anyone on the Disney team who might be looking for potential attendees. Use it on all your social media platforms.

**5. Don’t forget about Disneyland**

My first experience with the #DisneySMMC hashtag was being invited to the smaller, yet just as interesting event at Disneyland. It was a one day conference where we heard from experts at Babble, and Instagram (Yes, Instagram!). We also spent a day in the park and were given fast passes to ride Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s a more intimate event and not as many bloggers are invited. However, it was still a great way to network with Disney staff and other bloggers.

6. **Become a Disney brand fan**

This seems obvious but I think it needs to be said. Get familiar with what Disney is all about at its core. Does your brand reflect similar values and themes? Get to know what’s happening in the parks and at Disney Studios. The Disney Parks Blog is a great resource for staying informed. They also have regular meet-ups with fans. Tom Smith who founded Disney Parks Blog was one of our fantastic speakers during the conference. He talked with us about the catered content on the Disney blog and how they provide up-to-date information about Disney that you’ll want to know about. Also attending the meet-ups could be a great way to meet some of the employees at Disney and start a conversation with them about #DisneySMMC.

7. **Like Elsa says, Let It Go**

While being a fan, don’t go crazy. Don’t DM and email these accounts and other bloggers constantly asking if you can go to the conference. FOMO is no joke but remember, you will either be picked or you won’t. Disney has some very talented social media mavens on their team and trust me they are well aware of who fits their brand and who doesn’t. Only they know the secret sauce that goes into selecting bloggers for this event so don’t waste your time stressing about it. Spend your energy writing about your favorite foods or rides at Disney and trust that the pixie dust will find you.

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker and Instagram to keep up with all my pretty pics and posts of my time at #DisneySMMC. I’ll be sharing all my tips and tricks for your next visit and what I learned from the experts!

**Screenwriter John August on his new novel & podcast ‘Launch’** Feb 06, 2018

Screenwriter John August loves writing. He enjoys it so much, he decided to expand his writing repertoire from screenplays to novels. His new novel, *Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire*, was two years in the making. And lucky for us, he documented that process to share with others in a new podcast called *Launch*.

August is best known for writing *Charlie’s Angels*, *Big Fish*, and his films with Tim Burton (*Frankenweenie*, *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, *Corpse Bride*). He is also writing the new live action screenplay for *Aladdin* but due to some pretty strict privacy rules from Disney, we didn’t delve into that story. But I’m hoping once the film comes out he’ll come back on my show and gives a closer look at what it’s like to re-imagine that classic story with live actors.

In *Launch*, August shares interviews with publishers, meetings, and moments that chronicle his journey to publishing a novel. That novel is available now in stores and online and given the fantastical nature of his writing style, I can’t wait to check it out. We talked about where his stories come from, which I’ve found isn’t always easy for writers to talk about. But August isn’t one of those writers to locks himself up and hides away the tools of the writing process. He’s quite open about it and really seems to enjoy sharing his journey in the hopes that it helps others.

He also has a podcast where he talks about screenwriting called *Scriptnotes* which he’s hosted since 2011. Podcasts can be quite addictive, if I do say so myself, so it’s no surprise that he’s found a way to start another one.

We also talk about how his life as a writer changed when he became a father. No more late night writing sessions. The writing hours are much more regular now than before his daughter came along. He also talks about why it’s important for him to help other writers on their journey and I think you will love listening to what inspires him to write.

*Launch* is available now on Wondery. *Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire* is available now in bookstores and online. To find out more about John and listen to his podcasts, visit JohnAugust.com

**Inside influencer marketing and what it takes to get #paid** Jan 29, 2018

Whether you are a celebrity, mom blogger or influencer wouldn’t it be nice to get #paid for your work. In this episode I’m talking to Adam Rivietz, the CSO and co-founder of #paid, an influencer marketing platform for authentic brand collaborations. We’re talking about the evolution of online marketing vs traditional marketing strategies and how big companies are starting to spend their money.

Adam Rivietz-CSO and co-founder of #paid

A recent study from Neilson Media Lab finds that influencer marketing is more powerful than marketers initially thought. I wanted to share with you an article that perfectly accompanies this podcast. It was written by Richard Wong, VP of Marketing and Creator Relations at #paid. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and what his colleague Adam have to say about the rise of influencers.

TV may affect the brain, but influencer marketing affects the heart. Social media influencer content effectively drives engagement, consideration, and purchase intent. TV effectively drives brand awareness.

Written by: Richard Wong

Marketing and advertising have evolved in many ways over the past decade particularly with the ways we consume media, most notably social media. The advent of social media has ushered in a new wave of creators—the talented individuals who have showcased their creativity and developed a following around their content. Enter influencer marketing—one of the fastest growing segments of marketing—a new and exciting way to bring your brand to life. The big question that always remains is:

“How do I measure the impact of my marketing programs?”

The #paid team decided to tackle this challenge by working with the team at Nielsen Consumer Insights on a Marketing Effectiveness study to better understand the consumer impact of the branded influencer marketing materials, specifically reviewing the creative campaign of a major food and beverage brands. To accomplish this, Nielsen conducted an online study to:

●Evaluate the effectiveness of influencer marketing on key brand KPIs (recall, affinity, etc.)

●Assess the attributes associated with each piece of content (unique, credible, cool, etc.)

●Determine the impact of influencer marketing on future purchase decisions

As a basis of comparison, the team wanted to establish a benchmark against the primary channel for brand-based marketing—video advertising/TV commercials—by using a pre/post exposure methodology, often used by Nielsen Media Lab. The published study can be found on the #paid website.

The results were surprising, but insightful into the ways consumers view these different types of content. The research showed that video advertising performed extremely well on brand recall and driving brand awareness; however, social media content drove stronger brand perception shifts and content quality was viewed as equivalent or greater than the traditional video ad. So what does that mean for influencer marketing? These are some of the major takeaways from the study:

1.Influencer marketing and TV work in complementary ways:

Many marketers view these two investments as an“either/or”, essentially creating a divide between the two channels. In the end, the research revealed the various impacts of marketing, and how they actually work best simultaneously.When consumers see a TV ad, they see the brand logo, the product shot, the key claims, and tagline.

Catchy jingles can get stuck in people’s minds. All of this works well to get people to notice and remember a brand, but this is only the first step within the path to purchase.Influencer marketing takes this a step further by integrating products into the creators’ lives that consumers seek inspiration from and relate to. In short, creators make products highly relatable and desirable. These attributes have been shown to increase consideration and purchase intent—the next stage of the path to purchase.

2. Content can be produced—at scale—from social media creators:

Marketers should look at how we develop creative content in the 21st century. It doesn’t require the pricey studio rentals, production crew, casting talent, and editing anymore. All of these tasks are performed by content creators—the 21st century production crew. Initial concerns about the quality of the content were put at ease when the results showed content quality was actually viewed as equivalent or exceeding that of the traditional video ad.

3.Tools to measure the impact of influencer marketing are becoming more abundant:

Measuring the impact of brand marketing has always been an elusive and tricky thing to figure out. The ways in how we measure the impact can vary depending on the type of campaign that’s run, the objectives set out, as well as the conversion funnel. That said, establishing campaign goals, running brand measurement studies, or any conversion analysis are excellent ways to track the performance of influencer marketing and determine the brand’s ROI. When traditional research leaders like Nielsen partner with the brand teams, agencies, and industry innovators on finding new ways to measure the impact of new approaches to marketing, the industry wins. It allows all marketers to understand the different use cases and make everybody’s efforts stronger.

4. Authenticity and relatable at its core:
A strength in influencer marketing stems from its ability for brands to partner with creators that develop content perceived to be authentic and relatable to their audience. Their audience has come to know them for an extended period of time, heard their reviews on a range of different products and services, and see a bit of themselves in the creators they follow. When a creator voices their opinion and integrates a brand into their feed, it connects to their audience in a much more powerful way than simply getting a video view or an ad impression.
5. Influencer marketing should be considered a key part of a marketer’s toolkit:

While influencer marketing programs can be led by different teams—from PR teams, creative teams, media teams, or the brand—the simple story is that influencer marketing is here to stay and deserves significant investment and coordination within a brand plan. When the #paid team works on various influencer marketing programs, they either partner with brands directly or their media agencies—as they often hold the media budgets. Those budgets are crucial in order to ensure the scalable success of influencer marketing: creators deserve to get compensated for the work, time, and talent; brand teams need to ensure content is created on time and according to the brief. All in all, the future of influencer marketing is bright. Influencer marketing budgets continue to rise,creators are learning how to integrate brandsin a more sophisticated and authentic way, and the industry as a whole is adopting best practices to drive even more value for everybody involved.

About #paid:

#paid is an influencer marketing solution that utilizes an artificial intelligence powered matching algorithm & pricing algorithms, automation,and comprehensive analytics to enable marketing teams to run authentic influencer marketing programs and source branded content at scale.

Richard Wong is the VP Marketing & Creator Relations at #paid. He is a seasoned, classically trained marketer who came from Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson and moved into the tech world, including growing Google’s source for insights, trends, and research in digital marketing, Think with Google. He also teaches the digital marketing classes at tech schools—Brainstation, RED Academy, and Camp Tech.

spohr's — **The Spohrs Help Us Tame Toddler Tantrums With Humor** Jan 02, 2018

Mike and Heather Spohr are like the dream team of funny parents. Mike is a Parenting Editor at Buzzfeed and Heather runs the wildly popular website The Spohrs Are Multiplying. Together they have combined their talent for humorous, relatable writing and turned it into a new book, *The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Whiny Unfed.*

Our chat took place during some crazy wildfires happening in Southern California. Luckily they were not in harm’s way because we had a lot to talk about. As a fellow funny parent (yes, I do say so myself) I couldn’t wait to talk to them about how they started their blog and grew it to over 65 million visitors. That’s a massive accomplishment! They tell me it comes from a committment to write every day and sharing real stories from their lives.

In fact, they have shared a lot of heartbreak, and miracle moments on their website. And in an age where authenticity online is rare, it’s refreshing to meet people who are so open about their lives, the good and the bad. It’s inspiring that they took their experiences as parents and co-wrote their book.

I don’t think I’ve written anything with Chris. I actually get annoyed when I’m writing something and he chimes in. After all, I’m the Emmy winner! I digress….

Both Mike and Heather say they took a different approach to the writing process. He set a goal to write a certain amount each day, and she would cram it all in one sitting. It’s adorable to hear them banter together and talk about their inspiration for this book and the process of going through something like this as a couple. They also have some great insights on staying relevent on social media, the changing landscape of digital media and building a brand while being a stay at home parent.

We definitely laughed a lot during this interview and I have no doubt you will enjoy it too. And all my parents with a good sense of humor will love their book, *The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Whiny Unfed*, available now online and in stores. And check out their blog at thespohrsaremultiplying.com

You can listen to my interview with the Spohr’s on iTunes or your wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to download and subscribe to my show!

moms in film — **Moms in Film Paving The Way For Industry Parents** Dec 05, 2017
One of the things I love about my podcast is that I get the opportunity to connect with people who are doing amazing things in our industry. Moms in Film is a great example of women who are taking control of their career and family to start conversations and make the entertainment business a better place to work.

Christy Lamb and Mathilde Dratwa started Moms in Film a few years ago and it has grown to a bi-coastal organization with monthly meet-ups and events. Both filmmakers juggle their careers and family while also advocating for gender equality in film and television.

I felt so inspired after my conversation with Christy and Mathilde and I know you will too! Make sure you listen to this episode to hear what they’re actively working towards and how you can get involved. Then make sure you check out their website, momsinfilm.org and follow them on social media so you can be a part of their movement.

We need more parents in this industry to stick together and support each other so we can continue to balance family life with our career goals.

jordana brewster — **Jordana Brewster’s Holiday Glam Looks and Her Fast & Furious Mom Life** Nov 06, 2017

I sat down with Jordana Brewster at a recent holiday beauty bar hosted by Pond’s and was immediately struck by how much she glows. The mom of 2 clearly has her beauty routine on point so I couldn’t wait to ask her what she’s doing, and how she’s doing it and she was more than willing to dish on her faves.

Heather Brooker and Jordana Brewster at the Pond’s Beauty Bar event.

But first, we chatted about Halloween with her kids Rowan and Julian. I’ve always wondered if celebrities do Halloween just like us regular folks and it turns out, they do, just in nicer neighborhoods. She said her family life is what keeps her grounded in the crazy world of Hollywood.

She credits her role as Mia Toretto in the *Fast and Furious* franchise for re-invigorating her career. The box office numbers brought in from those films helped her to be able to be more choosy when picking other roles and she says it gave her the confidence to be able to start a family. There’s always an underlying fear in Hollywood that if you want to have kids, you have to put your career on hold or end it all together. Many of the women I’ve interviewed have said that hasn’t been their experience, but that doesn’t it mean it doesn’t happen on some level.

Perhaps my favorite nugget of info from our conversation came from her revealing her sense of humor. She says she has a dirty, dark and dry sense of humor which I could immediately relate too. We also bonded over our love of the Pamela Adlon show *Better Things*, which is an honest portrayal of what being a mom is like in the entertainment business. I asked her if she would ever want to do comedy and she says she’s not sure a broad comedy is in her wheelhouse, but she would definitely be down for something darker.

When asked about the recent outpouring of solidarity from women in Hollywood who’ve been affected by the #MeToo sexual harassment allegations she says she can sense a shift in the types of roles women are playing, and the types of roles women want to see on film and television.

“Women want to see themselves on screen, whether it’s television or movies. and I think that’s why the material has grown so much richer. There’s now a shift, Pamela Adlon’s show is a great reflection of that, or Lena Dunham’s show *Girls*.”

Brewster says she also felt shift in her own life when she became a mom.

“I feel things so much more deeply and the stakes are raised. You have such a deeper sense of purpose when you have kids.”

Getting back to that glow, I had to ask her what her favorite holiday beauty products are. She had a few of them to show me and we bonded over our nostalgia for Pond’s, a company she’s also an ambassador for. She has memories of her mother using Pond’s and I have memories of my great-grandmother using it. Pond’s has been around for more than a hundred years and they’re obviously doing something right to keep women coming back for more. Now they’re releasing new products to help busy women on the go, like the Pond’s MoistureClean Towlettes that help you remove makeup easily.

Jordana’s Beauty Faves Include:

**Josie Maran Argan Color Stick**

**Hourglass Mascara & Highlighter**

**Charlotte Tilbury Eyebrow Gel**

Hearing the news that Jordana will be back on the Fast & Furious sets for the next 2 movies made me happy and suddenly I felt more excited to see these movies than I ever have before. Motherhood and swapping beauty secrets has a way of bonding women together. And although I may still be envious of her glow, I am thrilled to have some insights into how she glows from the inside out.

You can hear the rest of my interview with Jordana Brewster on iTunes, or Stitcher. Make sure you subscribe to my show and leave a review. It means so much to me to hear from you!

jenni june — **Child Sleep Expert Jenni June Answers Your Sleep Questions!** Sep 04, 2017

Sleep is so precious. It’s a beautiful thing really. And before you have kids people tell you things like, “sleep when the baby sleeps”. Or, “get lots of rest now because you’ll never sleep again.” Now I can look back and say, I wish I had listened to those wise souls. I haven’t had a good nights sleep in over 4 years.

I decided to invite child sleep expert Jenni June to chat with me about child sleep issues in our house and answer listener questions. See? I’m always thinking about you guys! We chat about everything from newborn sleep and the 4-month regression to dropping the nap and co-sleeping with 6-year-olds. It’s a lot to cover in 45 minutes but Jenni is a pro and I knew she’d have the answers.

She has studied the science and psychology behind child sleep. She’s worked with thousands of families struggling with sleep issues and has hands on experience working with kids. I interviewed her for my website last fall when we were struggling with dropping the nap and her advice was a game changer. We dropped the nap, moved bedtime up to 6:30pm and never looked back. It was the best thing we could do for our family and Jenni was spot on in her assessment.

She has created her trademarked 4 Pillars of Sleep Hygiene and I highly encourage parents to take a look at her website and reach out for her free consultation. You may be wary at first if the advice doesn’t jive with what you’ve read on the internet or with Dr. Google says. But what you will jive with is how much more productive your sleep and your child’s sleep will be once you give it a try.

You can listen to my interview with Jenni to find out more about her advice on everything from white noise to how nighttime feedings impact child sleep. The make sure you visit her website jennijune.com to talk with her about your specific sleep questions. After all, you deserve a good night’s rest too so take all the help you can!

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker

Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood

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nichole nordeman — **Singer Nichole Nordeman On Her New Book, Slow Down** Sep 01, 2017

I can’t count the number of times lately that I’ve stopped to catch my breath at the sight of my tiny baby growing into a big kid. She is so tall, so talkative and her personality rivals any adult. I love watching her grow up and become the person she’s meant to be and yet I want her to stay small and cuddle in my arms. I often wish there was a way to stop time, or slow down. Parents, ya feel me?

That’s the subject of singer/songwriter Nichole Nordemans new book, *Slow Down*. I sat down with Nichole after her recent appearance on Hallmark’s Home and Family to talk about the inspiration behind her new book. She says she wrote it for her son Charlie’s 5th grade graduation and was encouraged by her manager to record it.
The response was overwhelming. It quickly went viral as parents all over the world connected with the message. Now she’s taken that message and fleshed it out into essays for her book. In the book she talks about how there’s no time machine, or button to push that would make time slow down so our kids will stay small. Instead we should take it upon ourselves to slow down and enjoy as much of the present with our kids as possible.

Admittedly in this social media obsessed (guilty!) world we live in its hard to walk away, put your phone down, and be present. This is something I make an effort to do every week in the hopes that my daughter’s memories of me won’t just be of my phone in front of my face. And I’m getting there, slowly but surely. Because it seems like every time I blink, she’s taller, smarter, faster, funnier. And I don’t want to miss another minute.

Watch the piece I did for KRJH 2 Works For You on Nichole, then watch her video for Slow Down. But grab the tissues because you’re going to need them.

*Slow Down* is available now online and in bookstores.

one bad mother — **The One Bad Mother Moms Have Written A Book…And It’s Awesome!** Aug 21, 2017

When I was researching funny podcasts about parenting before starting MIH, the first show that I came across was **One Bad Mother** and I immediately knew why it was so popular. Biz Ellis & Theresa Thorn started One Bad Mother when they were new friends. And over the years, listeners have been able to get to know them, as they get to know each other. As you can imagine, with that comes their funny, unique, and honest look at parenting and relationships. Sometimes they agree and sometimes they don’t but it’s interesting to hear them figure it out together. One Bad Mother is now consistently one of the top podcasts on iTunes because of it. Goals, people. Goals.

Biz and Theresa have parlayed their podcasting success into a book called, “You’re Doing a Great Job: 100 Ways You’re Winning at Parenting”. They are both big believers in encouraging other moms through their stories and life experiences so they don’t feel alone. The book is filled with funny observations, affirmations, and words of wisdom that every mom can relate too. It’s available now online so you can see for yourself!

And here’s the best part, if you’re in the LA or NYC area you can watch these ladies LIVE as they record an episode of One Bad Mother. They will also be signing copies of their book after the show. The LA show is August 26th and the NYC show is October 14th. Tickets are available now here.

And you can listen to One Bad Mother on the Maximum Fun Network or download the show on iTunes.

jenni pulos — **Bravo’s Jenni Pulos On Flipping Out, Fertility and Friendship** Aug 14, 2017

Jenni Pulos is having a major moment right now. She just welcomed her second child, daughter Georgia Grace, into this world and her hit Bravo TV show *Flipping Out* is about to debut its 10th season. Can someone give this mama a round of applause, or mimosas? That’s some exciting stuff!

Jenni is Jeff Lewis’ Executive Assistant on the show and is often his voice of reason when he’s, you know, flipping out. We love this show because of the odd couple relationship Jeff and Jenni have. She tells me the great part of doing this show with Jeff is that they actually are friends in real life. And like most friendships, they go through ups and downs and major life changes together. She says their fights and disagreements are real, and so are the compromises they make when working it out.

Due to the nature of reality TV we get to see some of the highlights of their lives play out before our eyes. Like when Jenni met and married her now husband Dr. Jonathan Nassos. The couple welcomed their first child Alianna Marika in 2014. And since then, she’s been very open about motherhood and her struggle with infertility while trying to have a second child. She hopes that by sharing her story, other women will be inspired and know they aren’t alone in their situation.

Jenni said her co-stars have also been by her side during the struggles and triumphs in her life. She gives us a closer look into her friendship with Jeff and how he’s changed since becoming a parent as well. And she hints that in season 10 we’ll see a lot of Jeff and Gage learning about fatherhood and all of the joy and frustration that comes with it. She also says that in season 10 we’ll see the return of some favorite clients, and they’ll be heading to Miami to work on the Queen of Versailles, a 90,000 square foot mansion. And of course, there will be employee drama and lots of flipping out. We can’t wait!

Jenni doesn’t know this yet, but we are probably going to be best friends. She was totally speaking my language during our conversation and I thought, is she reading my diary? She’s saying everything I need to hear right now. Isn’t that funny how people come into your life at just the right moment, even if it’s just on an awesome podcast, who inspire you in many ways? She reminded me to “Bloom where you’re planted” which is a very powerful way of saying, you’re where you’re supposed to be Heather Brooker, so embrace it!

To hear more of my conversation with Jenni and the details on season 10 of *Flipping Out*, download at subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes, or Stitcher. And make sure you follow Jenni on Twitter @JenniPulos.

Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker

Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood

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Here’s a sneak peek of season 10 of *Flipping Out* which airs Aug. 17th on Bravo.

jennie o'hagan — **Jennie O’Hagan on Moms In The Media And The Future Of Local News [podcast]** Aug 07, 2017

This is not fake news! We are really diving into the evolution of local news and what it means to be a mommy blogger versus press. My guest this week is Special Events Producer and Freelance Publicist Jennie O’Hagan. Jennie started her career at KTLA in Los Angeles on one of the first morning news shows of its kind.

She still produces for KTLA on major special events like The Oscars red carpet coverage and The Rose Parade and has expanded her skills into PR. She has seen a lot of changes in local news over the years and has some wonderful insights on where it’s headed. And because of her background, I wanted to know her thoughts on mommy bloggers as press. In my own opinion, they are not the same thing. Mommy bloggers are used as marketing tools for brands and studios to gain hashtag momentum or buzz about a specific product or project. They are not the same as mainstream media.

This is something that has been frustrating me lately because I get asked to cover press junkets and attend red carpets quite often. However, it’s usually as a mommy blogger and not a real member of the media. Most moms in this category have no problem with that and for the most part I don’t either. But since I actually DO work in the media and have been a reporter for many years it’s a little hard for me to understand why I don’t have access to the same things other outlets do. This is something I’ve been struggling with reconciling in my own business and life and I love the advice and perspective Jennie brings in this episode.

We also chatted about our mutual adoration of KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin. He will never know it, but I think he’s one of the greatest entertainment reporters in the business. Jennie says he was her mentor and helped hone her skills as a producer and gave her a shot when no one else would. So even though he doesn’t listen to MIH, we get mushy about Sam so someone let him know!

One of the biggest challenges for moms in local news is balancing a family. The hours are long and the day-to-day grind of covering news is a bummer. It’s hard to write about murders, sexual assaults, crime, fires etc. Then go home to your family and be cheery. It’s not an easy career choice to foster relationships so a lot of news veterans say they wait longer than usual to start a family. Jennie shares how she works to find balance in her family life through freelance jobs. When I started freelancing, I had no idea how “freeing” it would really be. It’s a great career option, especially for parents, if you are in a field that offers it.

To hear the rest of what Jennie and I talked about, you can download this episode on iTunes, or Stitcher. And to find out more about Jennie O’Hagan, follower her on Twitter @JennieOHagan.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker

Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood

Facebook at www.facebook.com/motherhoodinhollywood

chris hardwick — **Chris Hardwick’s Truth Bombs About The Wall, Podcasting & Having Kids** Aug 04, 2017
Chris Hardwick is a self-starter who created an empire from his podcast. Sound familiar? So I was thrilled to have the chance to talk with him at the Entertainment Weekly party at Comic-Con. We chatted about his new gig as host of NBC’s The Wall and how he gets emotionally invested in the contestants and is truly rooting for them.

He also shared some fantastic advice for anyone who has a podcast or is creating content. MIH is in its second year and I’m starting to feel the sophomore slump a bit. It’s hard to stay motivated on a weekly show that you produce entirely on your own. Most people probably have no idea how much work I put into this podcast from booking guests, researching them, writing the blog post and editing the show. It’s very time-consuming but I do it because it’s also very rewarding. And I hope in someway my listeners get something out of it.

Chris recently got married to Lydia Hearst, actress, model and heiress to the publishing fortune established by her maternal great-grandfather, William Randolph Hearst. They have only been married about year and as you know, with marriage comes the next big question: When are you having kids? I asked Chris if he gets asked that a lot and his answer was delightfully candid. Honestly the entire interview, although short, made me feel like I know him even better and reaffirmed why I’m a fan.

You can watch my full interview with Chris (Eric Roberts interview bomb included!) on my YouTube channel. And don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on YouTube to see more fun events and interviews I have coming up!

**Ian Ziering Reveals Sharktastic Secrets of Sharknado 5! [Podcast]** Jul 31, 2017

My generation knows Ian Ziering from his character as “Steve Sanders” on *Beverly Hills 90210*. It was a show that defined a decade and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has never heard of it.

Now a whole new generation is getting to know Ian as “Fin Shepard” in the *Sharknado* franchise. This epic battle of man vs shark is arguably another decade-defining role in his career, but not in the way he thought it would be.

SHARKNADO 5 — Pictured: Ian Ziering as Fin Shepard — (Photo by: Yana Blajeva/Syfy)

Ian tells me when he read the first *Sharknado* script back in 2013 his immediate reaction was to pass. He thought the sci-fi mash-up of sharks and tornadoes would ruin his career. But thanks to the urging of his wife Erin, who had one child in her arms and another on the way, he took it. Now it’s become a global phenomenon and fans can’t get enough of the campy fish franchise.

Ian, his wife Erin and their two girls Mia and Penna

In fact Ian says a lot of his career choices are different now that he’s a father. He’s casting a wider net (pun intended!) for projects from producing to directing so he can support his family. We also talked about how much the industry has changed since the days of *90210*. He says it took three years for that show to gain the public momentum that it took *Sharknado* to get in one night.

He credits that to the power of social media. Fans can now immediately get on the bandwagon of a show they like and tell the world to watch. And the fans at Comic-Con are a big reason why *Sharknado* now has a 5th installment. We talked about the power SDCC has to propel new projects into the spotlight and get fans involved. Chris and I went to Comic-Con, as you know, and had so much fun watching Ian and the cast of *Sharknado 5: Global Swarming* during their panel. The fans really love these movies! Yes they are cheesy, campy, and over the top, but they are fun and the fans love that about them. As Ian says, everyone is in on the joke except for the people in the movie which makes it all the more fun to watch.

We were treated to a sneak preview of *Sharknado 5: Global Swarming* and the crowd went nuts! This time around Ian and his co-stars Tara Reid (*American Pie*) and Cassie Scerbo (*Bring It On: In It To Win It*) are joined by a ton of guest stars. Fabio, Chris Kattan, and Charo are just a few of the stars signed on for this latest shark adventure. Ian still seems in awe of the fact that so many people want to be a part of this *Sharknado* wave. A wave he says could continue for at least 3 more movies.

And of course I had to ask him about a possible *Beverly Hills 90210* reunion. To hear what he says and the rest of what we talked about, listen to my podcast!

*Sharknado 5: Global Swarming* airs Sunday Aug. 6th on the SyFy Network. Check out the latest trailer below for a sneak peek!

Lisa Joyner Shares Her Passion For Reuniting Families And Telling Stories Jul 19, 2017

Lisa Joyner has been working in television her entire professional life and is currently co-host of the TLC show Long Lost Family and. Her passion for adoption advocacy and stories that bring families together truly shines through and I believe many people will find it inspiring.

Shakespeare In The Park and What Success Looks Like In Hollywood Jul 10, 2017

I invited Independent Shakespeare Company Artistic Director Melissa Chalsma to be on my podcast and talk about why she and her husband David founded this company. What I gained out of the interview was much more than the story of how it all began. She shared with me her perspective on what success is in Hollywood. We all have our goals, our marker that tell us we've made it! But what if you never reach that level? What if the marker changes and you suddenly find yourself mid-life with a new perspective on what success really is?

the boss baby — **The Boss Baby Star Alec Baldwin Proves He’s The Ultimate Dad Boss** Jul 04, 2017

*The Boss Baby* star Alec Baldwin is no stranger to playing the boss which makes him the perfect choice to voice *The Boss Baby*. Who can forget his hilarious right-wing take on Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock? His back-and-forth with Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is TV legend. And now he can add a tiny baby with a big attitude to that list in *The Boss Baby*.

*The Boss Baby* tells the story of Seven-year-old Tim Templeton as he suddenly finds his share of parental love plummeting when his new baby brother (Alec Baldwin) arrives — wearing a suit and toting a briefcase — and makes it clear to everyone that he’s in charge. But when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is on a secret mission, he reluctantly agrees to team up with his pint-sized sibling for an epic adventure that might just change the world!

The film is ultimately an adventure-comedy about family and belonging. In addition to Alec Baldwin, THE BOSS BABY features the voice talents of a stellar cast including Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Miles Bakshi and Tobey Maguire.

Alec explained the process of how he got the role of *The Boss Baby*. As you can imagine, he doesn’t have to audition for parts these days. He is offered pretty big roles and has to say “no” to a lot of projects because there isn’t enough time to fit it all in. An actors dream right? But I can tell you he is very humble about his role as an A list celebrity and fatherhood has played a part in that.

He says he approached this animated role as he would any other film. Alec really took the time to find a character for this film and says the biggest challenge was finding the character again even when the recording sessions were weeks apart. Sometimes they would go up to 12 weeks between recording sessions when making *The Boss Baby*.

As an actor I loved hearing him talk about the preparation that went into creating this character. He says he worked with producers to find the right voice, and develop a character for The Boss Baby. But before we could get too deep into the analysis of the Boss Baby character he remarked that he realizes this isn’t Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. It’s easy to get too actory when talking about roles but I love that he keeps things in perspective.

I wanted to know how his perspective on work has changed since he became a father. His oldest daughter Ireland is 21 from his marriage to actress Kim Basinger and he has three other children, 3-year-old Carmen, 2-year-old Rafael and 9-month-old Leonardo, with his wife Hilaria. Listen to the episode to hear what he says has made the biggest difference and who he says is the real boss baby in his family.

It was such a pleasure listening to such an accomplished actor reveal some of his insights on the acting process and filmmaking process. The Boss Baby has made almost $500 million at the box office proving that Alec Baldwin truly is the boss on-screen, at home and at the box office.

Dreamworks’ The Boss Baby stars Alec Baldwin, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel, Toby Maguire and Steve Buscemi. Now you can watch The Boss Baby on Digital HD (Amazon, iTunes) and buy it on Blu-Ray/DVD on July 25th to see just how boss The Boss Baby is.

THE BOSS BABY Blu-ray^™, Blu-ray 3D, 4K Ultra HD, DVD and Digital HD extras:

NEW Mini Adventure: The Boss Baby and Tim’s Treasure Hunt Through Time – Narrated by Wizzie, the magical wizard, join Boss Baby and Tim on their adventure!

The Forever Puppy Infomercial – Always playful, always snuggly, and everlastingly cute; The Forever Puppy is destined to win the cuteness competition with babies once and for all.

BabyCorp and You – Helpful advice and more for new infants on the job at BabyCorp.

Babies vs. Puppies: Who Do YOU Love? – Who has won the hearts of families once and for all? This “scientific” experiment compares and contrasts factors such as “cuddliness,” “adorability,” and “attention grabbing techniques” used by both demanding competitors.

The Boss Baby’s Undercover Team – From Staci, the note taker who can’t read, to Jimbo the huge baby who’ll take a suction cup arrow for the Boss, to the triple-threat of the Triplets, Boss Baby dives deeper into this team of cute corporate board members.

Cookies are for Closers: Inside BabyCorp – Go behind the scenes with Director Tom McGrath as he introduces us to BabyCorp, a secret organization of infants united for a common goal in
THE BOSS BABY.

The Great Sibling Competition – A fun, kid-friendly and humorous look at the competition among siblings to win the affection of their parents. Explore conversations with the cast and crew on their competitive sibling relationships and get very special insights from Boss Baby himself: Alec Baldwin.

The Rise of Streaming Content And Female-Driven Stories Jun 27, 2017

My guest this week is a huge part of the reason why people are abandoning traditional cable outlets in favor of streaming content. Carolyn Newman was the Executive In Charge of Development and Production at Amazon Studios before getting scooped up as the Vice President of Scripted Programming at Entertainment One (The Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead). Now at Entertainment One she tells me she's using her experience to find and develop great content with female-driven stories. There's been a big push in recent years to have more women working in front of and behind the camera, but Newman says it's not enough. She wants to do more. She wants the gritty, unusual, unique stories that reflect the diversity of women in the world and she finds them in books, short stories and through established writers.

Sherri Shepherd Talks Trial and Error, Mom Tribes, And Traveling For Work Jun 19, 2017

I first met Sherri Shepherd more than a decade ago when I was a reporter in Tulsa. She graciously let me interview her for a feature story I was working on and I immediately became a fan. She was funny, down to earth, and if I remember correctly, she couldn't wait to be a mom someday.

DJ Paul Oakenfold On Touring, Trance and His Tequila ‘Perfectomundo’ Jun 12, 2017

There are few things in this world that will give me actual cool status and interviewing Paul Oakenfold for my podcast is definitely at the top of the list. For those unaware, he has been an influential part of the electronic music scene since the 80's where he eventually earned the nickname "Perfecto." He has worked with just about every major artist and band from U2 and Justin Timberlake to Ice Cube and The Rolling Stones. And after this interview I'm fairly certain we are going to be friends for life. So yeah, cool status achieved.

From Pitch to Pilot: What Goes Into Creating and Developing a TV Show? Jun 05, 2017

Orchard Farm productions is a TV production company created by Mila Kunis, Lisa Sterbakov, Susan Curtis and Cami Curtis. Together these woman have developed and sold 12 TV shows since the company was formed in 2014 and have several more currently in development. I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa about her role in the company and how she balances such a demanding job with two young kids. She gives us a unique behind the scenes look at what goes into the making of a TV show from start to finish. And how she feels more comfortable in her role as a working mom than a stay at home mom.

Courtney Thorne-Smith Digs Deep Into Her Role As An Archeologist Jun 02, 2017

Courtney Thorne-Smith has been a working actress since she was 17 years old. And if you know anything about Hollywood, that is an amazing feat. Right now she's starring in Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery for the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel and I had the chance to talk with her about her role in a BONUS episode of Motherhood in Hollywood.

Motherhood in Hollywood’s 100th Episode Extravaganza! May 29, 2017

We did it! We made it to our 100th episode! I say "we" because I know there's no way I could have reached 100 episodes alone. There have been countless friends, family and fans who have supported this show and inspired me to keep creating. I have seen every Tweet, every Instagram comment, every Facebook comment and every email and I feel so honored that this show has resonated with you.

Water Safety Tips You Should Know Before Your Kids Take The Plunge May 22, 2017

Summer is almost here and that means kids all over the land will be pool bound. So I invited water safety expert Lisa Cook from Kid Swim in LA to share some water safety tips for parents ready to dive in.

marissa garcia — **What Is My “Brand” And What Do I Do With It?** May 15, 2017
Can we be honest for a second? We live in a social media obsessed world. That means, everybody who is in the entertainment industry needs to know about their brand. Now before you cry about being a creative-type and “artist” who doesn’t believe in social media, let me reassure you with this weeks’ episode.

My guest is Marissa Garcia, Co-President of M+C Collective, a marketing and strategy company that works with TV and movie studios, top brands, and movers and shakers in the entertainment world. Before launching M+C Collective Marissa was Motion Picture Marketing Agent at CAA for 14 years. Yes, that CAA.

Her knowledge of what really goes on behind the scenes when marketing a movie is incredible and I’m so glad she was generous enough to share her expertise. If you’re an actor or writer and you don’t think your brand matters, you are wrong. It’s a topic of conversation in boardrooms all over this town and the actors who get that will rise to the top more quickly.

Christine Tasto & Marissa Garcia of M+C Collective

Marissa talks about why she left CAA and launched M+C with her partner Christine Tasto. Christine has 11 years experience in marketing at IMAX. These women have quickly merged their talents and created a powerful marketing company that knows how to work with moms. Do you know why? Because they are both moms!

We are living in a new age of Hollywood where women don’t have to feel tied down to a 15 hour work day and be a servant to this business. Marissa explains how they started their own company and now make this business fit into their schedules as women and mothers. Amazing!

This episode has so much great stuff in it you can practically hear me leaping with joy. Listen, then tell me what you’re doing to work on your brand whether you’re an actor, blogger, or business owner.

For more information on Marissa Garcia visit mandccollective.com.

lisa loeb — **Lisa Loeb Shares Why She Loves Children’s Music** May 09, 2017
I’ve had the song “Stay (I Missed You)” stuck in my head since interviewing Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb last week. It was a juggernaut hit for her in the 90’s and she followed it up with a string of hit singles. She’ll never know how lucky she was that I didn’t sing it to her during our interview or I’m afraid it would have been a much shorter interview.

I’ve been wanting to have Lisa on the show for a while now because of her presence in the LA music scene and popularity with kids. But also because of her longevity in the music industry. Lisa was a trailblazer when she released “Stay” from the *Reality Bites* soundtrack because she was the first independent pop musician to have a Number 1 single while not signed to a recording contract. Anyone in the music industry can tell you that’s a huge accomplishment.

Since then she’s carved out a niche for herself with a large following of loyal fans. The music industry has changed a lot over the years and so has Lisa. She explains how motherhood has changed her perspective on music and her priorities. She also told me about her children’s albums, which she recorded before having kids and why she’s drawn to that style of music. Her children’s albums “Catch the Moon” (with Elizabeth Mitchell) and Amazon Music exclusives, “Nursery Rhyme Parade!” and “Feel What U Feel” (featuring Craig Robinson and Ed Helms). She has also published two picture book-CDs for Sterling Children’s Books: “Lisa Loeb’s Songs for Movin’ and Shakin’” and “Lisa Loeb’s Silly Sing Along.”

Her latest album “Feel What U Feel” is a family album of mostly original songs featuring guest artists Craig Robinson, Ed Helms and others. It’s available exclusively on Amazon Music.

I had the pleasure of seeing her perform at the Great Big Family Play Day in LA and it was wonderful. Parents who have been fans since their college days stopped by to listen and introduce their kids to her style of music. And it is a very unique style. Lisa has gentleness to her music and her spirit which I think is what draws people in and keeps them coming back for more, and makes them stay.

In a few weeks she’ll be doing a short residency at the Cafe Carlyle in NYC from June 6th to June 17th. For more information on Lisa visit her website, lisaloeb.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes.

**Lisa Loeb Shares Why She Loves Children’s Music** May 09, 2017
I’ve had the song “Stay (I Missed You)” stuck in my head since interviewing Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb last week. It was a juggernaut hit for her in the 90’s and she followed it up with a string of hit singles. She’ll never know how lucky she was that I didn’t sing it to her during our interview or I’m afraid it would have been a much shorter interview.

I’ve been wanting to have Lisa on the show for a while now because of her presence in the LA music scene and popularity with kids. But also because of her longevity in the music industry. Lisa was a trailblazer when she released “Stay” from the *Reality Bites* soundtrack because she was the first independent pop musician to have a Number 1 single while not signed to a recording contract. Anyone in the music industry can tell you that’s a huge accomplishment.

Since then she’s carved out a niche for herself with a large following of loyal fans. The music industry has changed a lot over the years and so has Lisa. She explains how motherhood has changed her perspective on music and her priorities. She also told me about her children’s albums, which she recorded before having kids and why she’s drawn to that style of music. Her children’s albums “Catch the Moon” (with Elizabeth Mitchell) and Amazon Music exclusives, “Nursery Rhyme Parade!” and “Feel What U Feel” (featuring Craig Robinson and Ed Helms). She has also published two picture book-CDs for Sterling Children’s Books: “Lisa Loeb’s Songs for Movin’ and Shakin’” and “Lisa Loeb’s Silly Sing Along.”

Her latest album “Feel What U Feel” is a family album of mostly original songs featuring guest artists Craig Robinson, Ed Helms and others. It’s available exclusively on Amazon Music.

I had the pleasure of seeing her perform at the Great Big Family Play Day in LA and it was wonderful. Parents who have been fans since their college days stopped by to listen and introduce their kids to her style of music. And it is a very unique style. Lisa has gentleness to her music and her spirit which I think is what draws people in and keeps them coming back for more, and makes them stay.

In a few weeks she’ll be doing a short residency at the Cafe Carlyle in NYC from June 6th to June 17th. For more information on Lisa visit her website, lisaloeb.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes.

heather brooker — **Why Is It So Hard To Stay Healthy After You Have Kids?** May 01, 2017

Why is it so hard to stay healthy after you have kids? This is something Chris and I talk about a lot so I invited him back to the show to chat with me. Plus I just loved talking to him so much and I wanted to do it again. You might as well get used to it. It’s going to be a more regular thing.

Chris and I constantly lament our unhealthy lifestyle. Why can’t we eat better? Why are our pants so tight? Is it Channing’s fault? Probably. After dissecting it we came to the conclusion that we’re tired. Like most of the time, we’re exhausted. I work 9 jobs and never sleep. Chris works one job and picks up my slack. There has to be a better way to manage our schedules right?

I think ultimately that’s what we’ve realized. We have to cut back on some things in order to add others. Pretty profound for adult people. But really I’m a night person and can never get up early. Chris is an early morning person so he lives to wake up and make breakfast (seriously). In some ways we complement each other like that. However lately we’ve been enabling each other when it comes to bad food, and lack of exercise.

I’m too tired to make dinner so he runs through a drive-thru. Then we eat and sit on the couch all night. Sound familiar? I know we’re not alone in our struggle to lose weight and get healthy. Or even just get motivated to get moving. I did a hard push last spring to lose 15 pounds by my 15th wedding anniversary and I reached my goal.

Now here I am a year later, about to celebrate another wedding anniversary and I’ve gained everything back.

I’ve let you down. I’ve let myself down. I’ve let America down. So I need to get back in the groove, but honestly I don’t know how. We both do. Maybe if we do it together we’ll have more success. Listen to the episode and you’ll hear the challenges we’ve made to each other. Then tell me what has given you success in your weight loss goals!

BusyKid Uses Chores and Allowance To Teach Kids The Value Of Money Apr 18, 2017

April is Financial Literacy month so I thought we'd take a look at teaching finances to our kids! Gregg Murset is the CEO of BusyKid, a new website that helps parents teach their kids the value of money in a modern world. Nearly one quarter of US states receive a failing grade when it comes to teaching kids personal finance in schools. Twelve states don¹t attempt to teach it at all. This could be one of the reasons that only 35% of credit card users don¹t carry a balance and pay off their bill every month, and that only 1 in 3 Americans is saving for retirement. We don¹t expect kids to learn how to read, write or drive without instruction, but another essential life skill, money management is ignored for the most part. In this episode we are breaking down how parents can start teaching the value of money to their kids at an early age.

New Documentary Sheds Light On The Darkness of Postpartum Depression Apr 10, 2017

In this episode I talked with Lindsay Gerszt, one of the producers of When The Bough Breaks: A Documentary About Postpartum Depression. It's narrated by Brooke Sheilds who had a very public battle with PPD herself. The film follows Lindsay's experience with postpartum and we meet several women who have experience PPD in varying degrees.

Top 5 Reasons Marvel Beats DC In The Battle Of The Box Office Apr 04, 2017

I didn't realize I was a fan of comic book movies until Marvel came out with Ironman. It was a game changer for mine, and many other people's moviegoing experience. Since then I have seen (almost) every Marvel movie and most of the DC films. But there's something different about the DC movie experience. Some fans love it, and a lot are frustrated over what's happening to their beloved franchise. So we're breaking down the Marvel and DC movie worlds...in under 30 minutes.

Reality Star Jessica Hall Proves That Moms Can Still Be Sexy! Apr 03, 2017

Jessica Hall is a beautiful, sexy mama! I think it's safe to say the assumption that moms can't be sexy is officially over. On this week's podcast, Jessica talks with me about her time as a Playboy model and how it impacted her career, marriage, and eventual motherhood.

Rebecca Romijn On How We Village Gives Parents a Flexible Child Care Option Mar 29, 2017

Rebecca Romijn and her husband Jerry O'Connell talk about their investment in We Village, a drop off child care center in Los Angeles. She also talks about her show The Librarians and what it's like juggling family with non-traditional hours in the entertainment industry.

Surviving The London Terrorist Attack During Our Family Vacation Mar 28, 2017

My family has been planning a trip to London for 4 months. During our vacation, a terrorist killed 4 people, including a police officer, minutes after we walked past Parliament on the Westminster Bridge. Here's what happened in the hours after the attack.

The FAB Mom Tips On How To Bounce Back Fast After Baby! Mar 20, 2017

Jill Simonian's new book The Fab Mom's Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby has useful tips for every mom who might need that inspirational push after giving birth. Jill is one of my good friends and I am so thrilled she took time out of her busy schedule to be on the show and talk about the importance of helping women bounce back.

Tips on “Going Viral” From Experts Who Have Done It-More Than Once! Mar 13, 2017

My friend Anna Lind-Thomas from HaHas for Hooohas is an author and fellow podcaster who has touched the viral heavens numerous times. Her co-host on The Anna and Susannah Show is author Susannah B. Lewis of Whoa Susannah fame. Both have gone viral with their website, memes, and online videos.

Christine Lakin Shares Her Birth Story & Details On ‘Hollywood Darlings’ Mar 06, 2017

Christine has been a star almost her entire life and I immediately felt like I was talking to an old friend. Her birth story is raw, and honestly it made me cry which I wasn't expecting. A wonderful side effect of being a mom now is that I cry at the drop of a hat. I think every parent will be able to relate to her story and find a bit of themselves in there as well. She's grown up in the business and continues to work to this day. Most people would recognize her from her breakout role as "Al" in the 90's sitcom Step by Step. She's been on a slew of TV shows like 7th Heaven, Veronica Mars and even created her own docu-series Lovin Lakin. And now she's jumped into an exciting new project with fellow 90's stars Jodi Sweeten and Beverley Mitchell called Hollywood Darlings.

git mom — **Get It Together Mom! GIT Mom Expert Aims to Empower Moms** Feb 28, 2017

Some days I think I have it all together. Then in one fell swoop things can fall spectacularly apart. I typically have some steps in place to pull it together but only because I’m an organization nerd. But I know that’s not easy for everyone. Enter the GITMom movement.

GITMom is a full service parenting coaching firm created by Eirene Heidelberger. She spends her days helping moms who feel like things are spinning out of control, regain control and well, get it together! She says…

“The GIT Mom system is the only system that focuses on the mom, rather than the kids, allowing Moms to give their children the parenting they need so they have time to do the activities they most enjoy!”

Eirene is a no BS lady and I like it. She uses her own experiences as a mother to help empower moms to parent more efficiently so that you have more “me” time. Sounds good to me!

Some of the things we cover:

Power struggles with your kids

Know what sets you off

Self-awareness is key to controlling your circumstances

How to stop the negativity online and in real life

Listen to this episode and tell me what steps you can take to take back control of your life as a mom. For more information on Eirene and how you can get her help, go to gitmom.com

The 50 Shades Phenomenon and the Rise of The Erotic Romance Novel Feb 20, 2017

My guest this week is my friend and author Vanessa Fewings! She is the USA Today best-selling author of the Enthrall Sessions and The Stone Masters Vampire Series. With all the excitement surrounding the release of 50 Shades Darker, I wanted to hear from an expert on the rise in popularity of erotic novels and I knew Vanessa would have first hand knowledge of this world.

Brian the Birth Guy Has Tips on Doulas, Dads and Breastfeeding Feb 13, 2017

If only I had known about Brian the Birth Guy when I was pregnant! I think it could have eased my fears pre and post birth. Having worked with over 21,000 expectant families, Brian "The Birth Guy" Salmon has taught many childbirth classes and currently teaches the incredibly popular Dad’s childbirth class “Rocking Dads”. He also teaches a couples birth class called “Facilitating Fearless Birth”.

disney reads day — **Disney Reads Day and Special Interview with Jorge Diaz (Elena of Avalor!)** Feb 07, 2017
This week Channing and I helped kick off Disney’s Magic of Storytelling campaign, an ongoing initiative aimed at inspiring imagination and a lifelong love of reading. We went to a special event at our local Disney store to join Elena of Avalor in reading our favorite books!

While we were there I got to interview a member of the Royal Guard. Jorge Diaz voices the character of “Gabe” on Elena of Avalor and shared with me what it’s like to be a part of such a ground breaking animated series. He also talked about how his own life was inspired by books his mother read to him as a child.

Books are so important to fostering the imagination and learning about new ideas and cultures. I can’t wait until Chan starts reading on her own. I think she’s going to be reading EVERYTHING. Do you have a kid who’s really into books? I think I have one, she just doesn’t know it yet.

“We are so proud to have donated more than 57 million books through our long-standing collaboration with Disney,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “Each year, the excitement around the Magic of Storytelling campaign grows, inspiring millions of individuals to help us bring much-needed new books to children in need.”

Here’s how you can participate in Disney’s Magic of Storytelling campaign:

**One for One Book Donation**: Disney will donate one book to First Book for every eligible Disney book purchased at a Disney Store or participating retailer during that store’s participation window. (A list of eligible Disney books and participating retailers are available at magicofstorytelling.com.)

**Share a Shelfie**: Disney will also give one book for every “shelfie” — a selfie photo with a favorite book or in front of a bookshelf — shared on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MagicOfStorytelling.

**Disney Story Central**: Users of Disney’s digital reading platform can download digital books designed for parents and children to read together. Disney will donate one book to First Book for every book read in the app.

**Magic of Storytelling Sweepstakes**: Consumers can enter to win a library of 400 Disney books for their school and a personal library for their home in the Magic of Storytelling Sweepstakes. For every sweepstakes entry, Disney will donate one book to First Book. To enter the sweepstakes and for more rules and information, visit magicofstorytelling.com.

**In-Store Events**: Celebrate Disney Reads Day on February 4 at Disney Store, Barnes & Noble, and participating retailer locations nationwide. Families and fans can enjoy free family-friendly events like story time, coloring and activity sheets, and themed “shelfie” stations. A full list of participating Disney Store and retailer locations is available at magicofstorytelling.com.

The program kicked off this month with a PSA narrated by Emma Watson, star of The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming film “Beauty and the Beast,” coming to theaters on March 17.
Over the past 16 years, Disney has donated 57 million books to First Book. Together with First Book, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney|ABC Television Group are committed to placing up to one million more books in the hands of children in need across the country.

Kandi Burruss Reveals New #RHOA Drama & The Launch of Raising Ace Feb 06, 2017

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss is not a lesbian. And she has no problem telling you that or about the reason her sexuality is a topic of discussion these days. It all comes down to one thing...Drama. I had so much fun talking to Kandi about the drama on her show and how she's not afraid to speak up if someone throws shade her way. This is her 8th season as a cast member on Real Housewives of Atlanta. And if you don't know by now, she's more than just a housewife. She's a singer-songwriter, record producer, business woman and mom. She's also a former member of the girl group Xscape.

Ep. 83 The Women’s March & Why Feminism Matters in Hollywood Jan 31, 2017

My guest this week is actress, mom of two boys and self-proclaimed feminist Laura Nickerson. She was at the Women's March in Washington and I invited her on the show to talk about why she marched and what she experienced. Nearly half a million people marched in D.C, and millions more marched around the world for women's issues they feel are being threatened under President Trump's administration.

Ep. 82 Entitlemania: How Not to Spoil Your Kids, and What to Do If You Have Jan 23, 2017

Do you think your kids are entitled? Chances are they might be and you don't even know it. In his new book, Entitlemania: How Not to Spoil Your Kids, and What to Do If You Have, Richard Watts gives parents practical advice on how to raise kids without entitlement. Watts has 30 years of experience as a personal advistor and legal counsel to America's most wealthy families and has seen first hand what wealth and entitlement can do to children. He's not afraid to tell parents to let their kids fail so they can succeed.

Spellbound by Just Add Magic Season 2 From Amazon Studios Jan 17, 2017

ust Add Magic stars Kelly (Olivia Sanabia) and her two best friends Darbie (Abby Donnelly) and Hannah (Aubrey Miller) as they stumble upon a mysterious cookbook. They quickly discover that the recipe’s inside are far from ordinary. They are magical! The girls realize they need to use them to release Kelly’s grandmother from a powerful curse. What struck me most when I met the girls is how much they have grown up! This is my one-on-one interview with the cast as they talk about their love of magic, their frienship in real life, and what's next for their careers.

Ep. 81 Dissecting Hollywood and Politics: Friends or Foes? Jan 17, 2017

Get your outrage ready, in this episode we're dissecting Hollywood and Politics. If you watched the Golden Globes last week then you saw the powerful speech Meryl Streep gave about Donald Trump. Hollywood was vibrating in the days after her speech with a lot of celebrities coming forward to champion her and weigh-in.

courtney peldon — **Ep. 80 Pilot Season Is Here! Agent Courtney Peldon Has Tips For Actors** Jan 09, 2017
Courtney Peldon from Aqua Talent has been working in Hollywood since she was a toddler and she knows the ins and outs of this business. And since she’s also my agent, I convinced her to let me interview her and get some insights on pilot season, how people “make it” in Hollywood today. We’re also answering the questions you sent in via social media!

Courtney has been on hit TV shows like *Harry and the Hendersons,* *Home Improvement* and *Boston Public*. She’s also found herself in several roles behind the camera as well in casting and producing. Now she’s found her home as a talent agent, pitching some of the top working actors today (myself included!)

Courtney Peldon and Jonathan Taylor Thomas on Home Improvement

She tells me how making it in Hollywood today is different than in years past. Now it’s about a lot more than luck and talent. You have to hustle and create your own content.

Actors will learn:

How social media has changed the landscape of entertainment jobs

What’s different about pilot season now versus 5 years ago

Why actors need to know their “place” in the pecking order. Do you know where you stand?

Courtney also tells me how her mindset and goals have changed since becoming a mother last year. Can you still be driven in your career and find time for family? Her answer is so inspiring and makes me adore her even more.

My favorite thing about Courtney is that she doesn’t blow smoke. She’s not mean, but she’s honest and I for one appreciate that kind of perspective.

You can follow Courtney on Twitter @AquaCourtney but I don’t think she tweets very much these days. She’s too busy finding work for her actors. And that’s just fine by me.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker

Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood

Facebook at www.facebook.com/motherhoodinhollywood

Ep. 77 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Producers on Friendship and Being Funny Dec 19, 2016

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is arguably one of the best shows on television. It's a musical, it's a comedy, it's unrequited love at it's finest. Rachel Bloom was just nominated for her second Golden Globe for Best Actress and although she's the show's star, there are also very talented writers and producers working behind the scenes to bring these characters to life. Two of these producers are the writing team of Audrey Wauchope and Rachel Specter. I've known Rachel since we met 3 years ago in a Mommy & Me class. At the time, she was one of the only moms I knew in the industry who was still working and juggling motherhood. She doesn't know it, but I've admired her for many years (well, maybe she knows now!) and I was even more impressed when I found out she and another mom were writing partners.

Ep. 76 The Legacy and The Future of The Jim Henson Company Dec 12, 2016

If you or your kids have ever watched Sid the Science Kid, Doozers, Dinosaur Train, or one of the many shows created by The Jim Henson Company then you'll love this insighful episode! I sat down with the Executive Vice President of Children's Entertainment for an inside look at how those shows and many more are made. A nine-time Emmy-nominated children’s television producer, she currently serves as an executive producer on the award-winning series Sid the Science Kid and Dinosaur Train, which currently air daily on PBS KIDS® in the U.S. and in multiple markets around the world, as well as Doozers, a CG-animated preschool series inspired by the wildly popular characters from the classic Henson series Fraggle Rock which debuted as the first Hulu Original for kids in 2014 and currently airs on Sprout. Don't forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes. Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood Facebook at www.facebook.com/motherhoodinhollywood And keep up with my Hollywood happenings at www.motherhoodinhollywood.com

Ep. 75 Casting Director Renita Gale’s Adoption Story With A Hollywood Ending Dec 05, 2016

Casting director Renita Gale talks about how she always put career first, until a sudden loss put things into perspective. She immediately went into family mode and navigated her way through the adoption system. She did all of this while casting some of the biggest commercials, and TV shows on the air. Renita is also a seasoned actress and voice over artist with wonderful insights for actors, and showbiz types who are interested in bolstering their career. Don't forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes. Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker Instagram at www.instagram.com/MotherhoodinHollywood Facebook at www.facebook.com/motherhoodinhollywood And keep up with my Hollywood happenings at www.motherhoodinhollywood.com

Ep. 74 YouTube Star, Social Media Mogul, And New Mama GloZell! Nov 28, 2016

YouTube star and social media icon GloZell is on the show! She's talking about what inspired her to start sharing her life on YouTube, what changed when millions of people started following her, and why she's sharing her struggles with infertility. She's very publicly talked about going through IVF, getting a surrogate, and now what life is like with her baby girl Ozell. She also has something to say to the haters so ya'll better listen up! Don't forget to subscribe to MIH on iTunes Follow me on IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood Twitter @HeatherBrooker And read my website moterhoodinhollywood.com

Nick Jr.’s New Shimmer And Shine & Blaze And The Monster Machines Toys For The Holidays Nov 22, 2016

I sat down with Eva Bella who voices Shimmer, and Isabella Crovetti who voices Shine from the Nickelodeon show Shimmer and Shine! They share what it's like playing these characters that so many kids look up to. And the creator of Shimmer and Shine Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz tells me what makes these twin genies so appealing. It's all about wish magic! Don't forget to subscribe to MIH on iTunes Follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB at motherhood in hollywood and check out my website, motherhoodinhollywood.com

Ep. 73 Kate Casey On Why Reality Is The Best Thing On TV Nov 21, 2016

Comedian, Author and host of Reality Life podcast Kate Casey is my guest this week! This busy mom has written a book called "You know you're pregnant when..." and it's all about funny quotes from women who've been pregnant. She's also fellow podcaster and hosts the popular show Reality Life which highlights her fascination with reality tv. I was a guest a on her show too so check it out! Kate talks about how she finds time to write, why reality TV is so addicting, and what her daily schedule looks like with 4 (yes 4!) kids! Don't forget to subscribe to MIH Follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood and read my site at www.motherhoodinhollywood.com

Director Shannon Flynn Wants More Ladies Behind The Lens Nov 14, 2016

TV, film and web director Shannon Flynn talks about life behind the lens! She has directed hundreds of TV shows and worked with huge stars like Miley Cyrus, Debby Ryan, and more. If you've seen a popular kids show on Disney or Nickelodeon in the past decade, chances are Shannon directed it. She talks about watching Miley Cyrus grow up before her eyes, and how child stars in real life vs what we see on TV. She was very supportive of the current movement that's encouraging more producers to hire female directors. You want to have a woman's perspective and not the same guys over and over again. Plus Shannon is a mom of 3 kids which adds a whole other level of stress and motivation to succeed in a male dominated field. Please SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Autumn Reeser On How She Balances Auditions, Travel & Action Roles Nov 07, 2016

Autumn Reeser (Sully, The OC, Entourage) is a working actress and mom of 2. She also travels a lot for work so as you can imagine there's a lot of juggling going on. We talk about auditions when you have to take your kids in the room. For some actors it's no big deal, but others find it very distracting and hard to focus. So when you're a mom with no child care in place, what do you do? She talks about the challenges of raising very physical boys. It's a different ball game than with girls! And where her career is going next. She'll be starring in The Arrangement coming out in March 2017 and gives us an inside look at her new film with Jean Claude Van Damme. Subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes And follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Allison Munn Opens Up About The Pressures and Joys Of Acting Oct 31, 2016

Allison Munn (What I like about you, Nicky Ricky, Dicky and Dawn, One Tree Hill) is my guest this week! She gives us an inside look at what life is like as a working actress and mom of 2. There is a ton of pressure when you're a lead on a TV show, especially for women. Allison is really open about the pressure she feels AND puts on herself to look a certain way. She also feels pressure to nail every joke, which when you're in comedy, is way harder than it looks. We also talk about child care options for actresses on TV. Does everyone have a nanny? Do you judge people who have nanny's? Well stop it. It's a necessity if you're working full time in Hollywood. Don't forget to subscribe to my show on iTunes! Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Netflix Debuts Family Fantasy Series ‘Skylanders Academy’ From Activision Blizzard! Oct 27, 2016

Ashley Tisdale, Harland Williams and Eric Rogers sit down to talk with me about their new Netflix animated series "Skylanders Academy". This is a fun BONUS episode of MIH! Ashley talks about her love of voicing characters, and reveals her plans for kids, and when she'll release more music. Harland tells me about his new show for Disney called Puppy Dog Pals. And showrunner Eric Rogers tells me how he merged the worlds of the X-Men School for the Gifted with Harry Potter, and humor from Futurama to create the Skylanders Academy.

2016 World Choreography Awards – Recap & Celebrity Interviews Oct 26, 2016

Heather hits the red carpet to cover the World Choreography Awards! This is a bonus episode featuring interviews with Allison Holker, Stephen "Twitch" Boss, and world renowned choreographer Anita Mann. This was such a special moment because Anita tells a wonderful story about how she got her start in dance doing background work on an Elvis Presley film. I honestly just want to sit and listen to her tell stories about Elvis all day! Hope you enjoy this bonus episode! Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Blair Breard On The Success Of Louie, Better Things, & Baskets Oct 24, 2016

Louis CK's producing partner Blair Breard talks with me about working on some of today's most prolific comedies. Some her shows are Better Things, One Mississippi (Amazon) , Baskets, and Louie on FX. I'm so in love with Better Thing starring Pamela Adlon on FX. It beautifully captures what it's like to be a mom and actress in LA (hey that's me!) Blair and Louis CK have been working together since they met working on Pootie Tang and are now changing the face of comedy! We talk about the subtle changes in the number of women producing films and tv shows today, and what it's like for a female producer to start a family versus men. If you're a writer, producer or content creator or even an actress, you will walk away from this episode feeling inspired! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to MIH on iTunes Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Stefanie Fair Opens Up About Reality TV, Wild Orchid, and Hot Moms Oct 17, 2016

Stefanie Fair is a former child star (Golden Girls, Blossom) and 1/3 of the 90's pop band Wild Orchid (Renee Sandstrom & Fergie!). She stops by to tell us why she chose to pursue a family after years of touring in her music group. She was in the trenches with groups like Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, and 98 Degrees but Wild Orchid never rose to the same level of success. No idea why because they sounded amazing! But the music biz is ridiculous sometimes. Where she did find success was in being a mom to her four kids. She reflects on her time in that 90's pop world, the current state of music, and what she sees for her music future. Stefanie also talks about some of the blowback she got after appearing on Bravo's There Goes The Motherhood and that sometimes reality TV isn't as real as you think. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IB/FB search Motherhood in Hollywood

Ep. 67 Nick Jr.’s Shimmer and Shine Creator Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz Oct 10, 2016

One of Channing's favorite shows these days is Shimmer and Shine on Nick Jr. In fact she loves it so much, I think she's convinced she's a genie. So as you can imagine when I found out the creator of the show was basically a magical genie mom disguised as a human, I had to have her on the show. Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz is the glittery guru behind Shimmer and Shine. The show is about twin genies-in-training from Zahramay Falls who grant wishes for their best friend, Leah. The girls work together to solve the problems that arise when wishes don't go as smoothly as they plan. The music is also poppy and addicting and there have been many a dance party in my living room while it's on.

Mayim Bialik On Supporting Fisher-Prices’ New STEM Toys Oct 03, 2016

Actress and mom Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory, Blossom, Beaches) is my guest this week! She tells me what it's like balancing life as a mom of 2 and starring on a huge CBS show. Mayim is also very much like her character on Big Bang. She's a neuroscientist and big supporter of STEM education. We sat down at an event with Fisher-Price as they launched their new line of STEM toys. The Code-a-pillar , the Smart Scan Color Chameleon Color Bingo, and the Smart Scan Word Dash Hide and Seek are all toys from Fisher-Price that help develop STEM skills. As technology advances, so must our toys! These toys teach preschoolers communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration, as well as reading, writing and arithmetic. Mayim also talks to me about her website GrokNation.com and why it's not your typical mommy blog. Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to my show Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood and visit my website motherhoodinhollywood.com

Erin Ziering Shares Her Midwest Values With A Hollywood Twist Sep 26, 2016

My friend Erin Ziering met her prince charming a few years ago in Hollywood (of course) and says it changed her life forever. The mom of 2 is married to actor Ian Ziering (Sharknado, Beverly Hills 90210) and walked away from life as a traveling nurse, to become a Hollywood mom. But don't mistake her for someone who's riding on her husbands fame. She is creating her own path in this industry with her blog AtHomeWithTheZierings.com, working with brands, and discovering her parenting style through trial and error. She blogs very openly about their lives, working together as parents, and what's it's raising girls in LA. It's a heartfelt blog from a real Hollywood mom. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes. Follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

5th Annual Red CARpet Safety Event (Interview With Brooke Burke-Charvet!) Sep 25, 2016

Mom, host, and philanthropist Brooke Burke-Charset talks to me about her journey through motherhood in the entertainment industry. We were at the Red CARpet Safety event at Sony Pictures helping to raise awareness about car seat safety. Brooke is a mom of four kids and was the host of Wild On on the E! Network when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. She tells me how much she learned from her first to her fourth. And that sometimes it truly is a challenge to balance everything. Sometimes she has to miss her kids events for work, something all working moms can relate to. But just being open and having a conversation with them so they know why you have to miss out sometimes, it's the best way to handle it. Brooke is also the CEO of ModernMom.com and a big believer in giving back to the community. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood Follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings on Motherhood & The Honest Company Sep 23, 2016

We all saw Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings crush it on the beach volleyball court this summer at the Rio Games. She and her partner April Ross took home the bronze medal, adding to her collection which includes 3 gold medals. But when I interviewed her recently at an The Honest Company fall party, she told me the one thing she’s most proud of is her family.In addition to being a world-class athlete, Kerri is a mom of three. She tells me her heart is in being a mommy to her kids. She says when she won the bronze medal in Rio, her kids said, “Mommy we didn’t win gold!” And rather than defending her bronze medal, she used that opportunity to teach them about what it means to win at every level. Even though gold was her goal, she was still proud of the work she and her partner did to win bronze. She says her family is a big part of her life and has been supportive of her career in every way. They talk about the importance of healthy competition in her house which is a lesson a lot of us could use. And I had to ask her what her plans are for the future, now that her volleyball partner is taking a break to start a family. She says she’s weighing her options, and could soon start searching for a new partner. And I for one cannot wait to see her back in action. Now, Kerri is adding one more title to her name. She’s the first Honest Company Ambassador. The Honest Company was founded by actress Jessica Alba to offer eco-friend, beautiful and affordable baby products. The brand has now expanded into household items, personal care and feminine care products just to name a few.

Author Meredith Sinclair Gives Us Tips On How To Be Playful Parents Sep 19, 2016

Do you know how to play in your house? Genius of Play Ambassador and author of the new book "Well Played", Meredith Sinclair joins me to share her insights on the importance of play in a child's development. She gives great examples on how to incorporate play to build trust in younger kids and teens. She has also great advice on what simple things shy parents can do to engage in play with their kids. Meredith is also an educator and has spent many years inside the classroom observing and interacting with kids through play. In addition to being a teacher and author, she's also a regular guest parenting expert on the Today Show and ambassador for The Genius of Play, an organization that supports parents with play ideas, tips, research and news. For more info head to motherhoodinhollywood.com Follow me @HeatherBrooker on Twitter IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

That Time Hipster Musician Mike Doughty Came To My House Sep 12, 2016

Please file this episode under the win category for me! My guest is one of my favorite musicians, the former lead singer of Soul Coughing and now solo artist, Mike Doughty. He talked to us about his new album The Heart Watches While The Brain Burns which is due out October 14th. We also talked about his recent move to Memphis from New York City, his relationship with Soul Coughing now versus then, and how he uses faith and religion to deal with his addiction. This was such an emotional interview for me because it was also the anniversary gift I gave to my husband Chris. We could have talked to Mike about music for hours, and we nearly did. Enjoy! And don't forget to check out motherhoodinhollywood.com for more info Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB @ Motherhood in Hollywood And SUBSCRIBE to my podcast will ya?

NCIS: Los Angeles Star Daniela Ruah Reveals The Secret Weapon To Having It All Sep 05, 2016

NCIS: Los Angeles star Daniela Ruah joins me on the show to share her perspective on parenting while starring on a hit CBS TV show. I can't even imagine how much work that is! She has great tips on staying healthy during and after your pregnancy, and building your village for support. She talks about what it was like telling the producers of her show that she was pregnant and how they reacted. Also how she would tackle a birth scene differently now that's she's had a baby of her own. This episode is a MUST LISTEN for actresses, moms, and women trying to balance their career and family. Read my blog at motherhoodinhollywood.com SUBSCRIBE to the show on iTunes FOLLOW me @HeatherBrooker and IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Beachbody Coach Lynn Bettencourt Gives Us Low Cal Recipes Aug 29, 2016

Finding ways to eat delicious food that is also low calorie is hard enough for people without kids. When you add the day-to-day mom stuff in there it's practically impossible! So my friend Lynn Bettencourt took some time out of her incredibly busy schedule being a mommy to Irish twins to talk to me about her work as a recipe developer for Hungry Girl, and her work as a Beachbody coach. What is Beachbody? Does it work? Do you need a coach? We're diving into that plus how swaping out one ingredient can make a HUGE difference in the nutrition of your favorite meals. Are you putting a priority on exercise and eating right? We've got some tips! Now if I can just figure out how to implement them LOL Please SUBSCRIBE to my show! Make sure you follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB on Motherhood in Hollywood

Travis McElroy Gets Fired Up About The Future Of Podcasting Aug 22, 2016

Travis McElroy has 8 podcasts including, My Brother, My Brother and Me, Interrobang, Shmanners, Bunker Buddies, Trends Like These, Can I Pet Your Dog, The Adventure Zone and the annual show, Till Death Do Us Blart. Most of which are regularly in the top of the iTunes charts. That's incredible! As an actor, he has built a name for himself as a powerful podcaster and now makes a living doing something he loves. I was so excited to interview travis about where he thinks the medium of podcasting is headed, who his comedic influences are, and what are some mistakes new podcasters make. He's also about to become a new dad and we talk about how being a parent will effect his future podcasting plans. New show? I wouldn't be surprised! I loved talking with Travis and hearing his insights on creating a podcasting empire. He also shares plans for a new show in the works based on his podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me. Like MIH? SUBSCRIBE to the show and leave a comment, aye! Go to motherhoodinhollywood.com to read my blog. Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker

Atomic Moms Podcast Host Ellie Knaus On Her Favorite Creative Outlet Aug 15, 2016

Atomic Moms is one of the top podcasts in iTunes and that's due in large part to host Ellie Knaus (Undateable, Happy Endings). This week I had the pleasure of getting to know Ellie and hear more about her career as an actress, her joys as a mom, and her newfound love of podcasting. We talk about what to do when you're feeling overwhelmed and over scheduled...close an app! And she reveals why podcasting has changed her outlook on her acting career, and what it could mean for the future. Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to and SHARE Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes! Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Casting Director Risa Bramon Garcia On Motherhood & Mentorship Aug 08, 2016

Director/Casting director Risa Bramon Garcia has so much knowledge about this industry I want to squeeze it all out of her and soak it up like a sponge! But instead, I just asked her a lot of questions about how she got started in casting, her mentor Oliver Stone, her passion for directing and producing, and why she's found creative peace as co-founder of the BGB Acting Studio. She's cast TV shows like Roseanne, CSI: NY, and Masters of Sex. Her film credits are as long as the sea is deep with iconic films like JFK, Natural Born Killers, Christmas Vacation, Speed, and Twister...to name a few. She just wrapped up casting Gilmore Girls: A year in the life with fellow casting director Jami Rudofsky. And somewhere in there she found time to direct 200 Cigarettes, and be a mom of two. Risa was very open about her struggles with infertility and how not having a family was never an option for her in this business. She shares insights on how she had a lot of help finding the balance between work and family while staying on top of her field. Plus I share my embarrassing mom friend moment at BlogHer. Seriously, I'm ridiculous. Thanks for listening! Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Bad Moms Premiere Interviews With Stars, Writers and Producers Aug 01, 2016

Bad Moms stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn and Christina Applegate! None of those people are on this podcast. But I'll tell you who is! I got take Motherhood in Hollywood on the road again. This time I went to the premiere of Bad Moms. I interviewed a wonderfully random group of celebs including Camryn Manheim, Sara Rue, Alan Thicke, Oona Lawrence and more! Plus producers Bill Block and Suzanne Todd and writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Need more? SUBSCRIBE to my show! Follow MIH on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB @MotherhoodinHollywood

Challen Cates Gives Tips On Creating Your Own Content Jul 25, 2016

I just got back from an epic and quick adventure to Comic-Con! I might still be hungover. But more importantly my guest is the beautiful and funny mama actor Challen Cates. You will recognize her from Passions, Modern family, and Mrs. Knight on Nickelodeon's show Big Time Rush. It was one of the longest running live-action shows in Nick's history. Nice! Challen shares what it's like working as a series regular on such a popular show, while trying to raise 2 young kids. But she did it! And now she's revealing that her kids are getting into acting as well.. One of my favorite parts about talking to Challen was hearing about her wine making! She produces a Pinot Noir that is devine! If you're into wine and awesome Hollywood moms, you will be into this show. Follow on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB: MotherhoodinHollywood Please SUBSCRIBE TO MIH on iTunes

Hollywood Publicist Katie Barker Weighs In On Who Really Has The Power in Hollywood! Jul 18, 2016

Katie Barker is a VP for Publicity at CBS! She handles PR for NCIS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS AND the new show starring Joel McHale called The Great Indoors. We talk about when actors actually need a publicist, what modern day publicists do, and how they affect the casting process. I thought I knew everything about the entertainment business then Katie blew my mind LOL She also talks about what it's like to be a mom of 2 young girls, while balancing a demanding career in network TV. Wait until you hear why she had to miss Adele live at the Grammy's you guys! Katie also says planning meals has been the biggest change and live safer since having kids. And reveals who we can really trust in the media. Please SUBSCRIBE to my show! Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at MotherhoodinHollywood

Mommy Tonk Helps Us Kick Up Our Heels And Have A Laugh! Jul 11, 2016

Please join me in welcoming the musical comedy stylings of Mommy Tonk! This comedy duo is singing all the things we're thinking about motherhood, husbands, and weed. Yep. Staci Burrows and Shannon Noel are seasoned comedians who combine their passion for music and motherhood and (thankfully!) share their gift with the rest of the world. We talk about the challenges women face in comedy today, what it's like going on tour with your BFF and family, and how exactly can we find our Mommy Wife. I'm now accepting applications! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to MIH so you don't miss an episode. Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB Motherhoodinhollywood And go to motherhoodinhollywood.com to read all the fun stuff I write about acting, for Huffington Post, Mom.me or the Today Show Parenting Team.

The BreakWomb Moms Get Serious About Sketch Comedy Jul 04, 2016

Laurel Coppock, Megan Grano and Molly Erdman are the moms behind The BreakWomb! They stopped by to talk about their breakout viral video series that's been featured on The Today Show, the Huffington Post, and Parents.com. Millions of people have watched their take on modern motherhood and keep coming back for more. Clearly they're doing something right so I wanted to suck all their knowledge up and share it with my listeners! We also talk about what they plan to do with all this internet fame. Ooohhhh now that's a deep tease for the podcast! x x x Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to MIH on iTunes & Sticher. Follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood

Motherhood In Hollywood Podcast Anniversary and Highlights! Jun 27, 2016

I'm celebrating with my husband over here! Woot Woot! Motherhood in Hollywood turns one! Join me as I stroll down memory lane with my number one cheerleader and comedy champion, my husband Chris Brooker. SUBSCRIBE to MIH on iTunes Follow on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB @Motherhoodinhollywood

Indie Producer Jennica Schwartzman On Family Films & Health Care Jun 20, 2016

As if being an actor isn't hard enough, add being a film producer and a mom to that list. My guest this week is indie producer Jennica Schwartzman and she's being open and honest about the challenges indie filmmakers face. She started her own production company with her husband and they focus on real, meaningful stories for their films. We talk about what it means to be a family friendly movie versus a Christian film, how film festivals are still the best place to market your movie, and staying true to your faith while still flexing your creative muscle. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Motherhood in Hollywood. And follow me on Twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB at Motherhood in Hollywood or motherhoodinhollywood.com

Acting Coach Tony Rago Shares Audition Tips For Sitcoms & Great Characters Jun 13, 2016

Second take! That's what I should title this episode. Garage Band ate my first interview with Tony but he was gracious enough to record it again. And thank God because this is a great episode for ACTORS AND WRITERS! Tony is an acting coach at Scott Sedita Acting Studios in LA and he breaks down the 8 characters of comedy, what's changed in the world of sitcoms, and why most acting studios don't offer childcare. Plus I reveal my favorite sitcoms to watch on repeat, and why I miss being in class. Don't forget to subscribe to Motherhood in Hollywood on iTunes Follow me on twitter @HeatherBrooker IG/FB @MotherhoodinHollywood

Geek Girl Authority’s Audrey Kearns on Star Trek & Stepmoms Jun 06, 2016

Star Trek and stepmoms sounds like a new Fox show. But it's actually just a couple of the topics I talked about with my guest this week Audrey Kearns! Audrey is the co-founder of Geek Girl Authority, a website devoted to all things geek culture complete with podcasts, videos and geek news. We also delve into what it's like to be thrust into the world of being a stepmom, and her open struggle with OCD. And we have an inside look on the new ABC show Uncle Buck, Executive Produced by her husband Brian. So much good stuff crammed into this episode! Subscribe to MIH here on iTunes. Follow on Twitter @MIHpodcast IG/FB: Motherhood in Hollywood visit motherhoodinhollywood.com to keep up with my crazy Hollywood mom life!

Buzzfeed’s Morgan Shanahan On Chewbacca Mom & Going Viral May 30, 2016

Buzzfeed Senior Editor Morgan Shanahan drops some major knowledge on us this week! We're talking about the Chewbacca Mom, viral videos, and Hollywood's obsession with quick and dirty fame. And we dish on Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool, Leonardo DiCaprio and basically just name drop a bunch of celebs. Who needs E! When you have #MIHpodcast? We also deep dive into the serious business of postpartum depression. Morgan generously shares her story of battling PPD and what she's doing to fight it every day. Don't miss what she says about how you can help women who are suffering with postpartum depression. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to MIH on iTunes! Follow me on: Twitter @MIHpodcast IG: Motherhood in Hollywood FB: Motherhood in Hollywood motherhoodinhollywood.com

Vibraphonist Lolly Allen On Childhood Music & The Beauty of Jazz May 23, 2016

I'm infinitely jealous of people who know how to play an instrument. My friend Lolly Allen is a professional vibraphonist and jazz musician. So cool! She writes, sings, and plays her own music. She talks about how her love for a toy as a child got her interested in music, and how her parents fostered that interested throughout college and beyond. This is a great example of a woman who is making her own way in the predominately masculine world of jazz and carving her own path. Plus we talk about the state of music in general today, my current audition situation, and a special guest stops by. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast and on Facebook and Instagram at Motherhood in Hollywood. SUBSCRIBE to the show on iTunes and give me a review...would ya?

Expressing Motherhood Co-Founder Lindsay Kavet On Finding Mom Friends May 16, 2016

Don't you wish you could sit center stage and tell everyone what motherhood is really like? That's exactly what Expressing Motherhood is all about! Co-Founder Lindsay Kavet sits down to tell me the inspiration behind Expressing Motherhood and how it became a nationally recognized show. And we talk about Women in Film, they hyphenate moms, raising kids in the city of Hollywood, internet trolls (fuck 'em!), and why producers cast the same leading women over and over again instead of looking for more realistic faces. It's the biggest pain in my ass LOL Plus I ask for acting class suggestions (hit me up!). Follow @MIHpodcast on Twitter & Periscope, and Motherhood in Hollywood on Facebook and Instagram. And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW ON ITUNES and leave a review. It's a lot to do, but I believe in you

Producer Wendy Molyneux Explains Why Bob’s Burgers Is So Effing Funny May 09, 2016

As a huge fan of Bob's Burgers I couldnt' wait to to interview one of the hilarious writers behind the show, Wendy Molyneux, who also happens to be an awesome mom. We talk about why farts are funny, what it was like working on a daytime TV show with Megan Mullally, and why TV pilots are so damn hard to produce. Plus we break down the recent Kardashian drama, and reveal the one feminist thing women can do in the bathroom to take charge. Don't forget to follow @MIHpodcast on Twitter, Motherhood in Hollywood on Facebook & Instagram. And for the love of God subscribe to the show already so you don't miss this greatness!

Rachna Fruchbom On Fresh Off The Boat, Writers Rooms & Feminism May 02, 2016

I love hearing stories from moms who've taken an unusual path to their career. Rachna Fruchbom definitely has that story. She worked for George Clooney's production company before becoming a SAHM. Then through her desire to stay creative, landed a plum job working as a writer on Parks and Rec. Now she's a writer for the popular sitcom Fresh Off The Boat and is learning to find her voice in TV Comedy. She's pregnant right now with her second child and still found the time to come be funny with me on my podcast. Moms are amazing! She also reveals what every actor should know happens after you audition. Plus what it's like working with Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt and Aziz Ansari. It's dope yo. So excited to share this episode with you!

KTLA’s Wendy Burch Tells Her Story Of Infertility, Heartbreak and Miracles Apr 25, 2016

It's National Infertility Awareness Week and we need to talk about it! I know there are thousands of women suffering with the pain, and stigma of infertility so I invited award-winning journalist Wendy Burch to share her story. Wendy is a reporter for KTLA news in Los Angeles and had a very public struggle with infertility. One that she's found empowering and now hopes will encourage other women to be more proactive in family planning. Wendy has appeared on several episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and is great friends with Cheryl Tiegs, and Lisa Vanderpump. She also has a vivacious personality that immediately grabs your attention, which is why I love her so much. In typical MIH style, this episode is meant to give you hope, direction, and most of all make you laugh.

laura tremaine — **Hollywood Housewife Laura Tremaine Opens Up About LA Moms, & Oklahoma Faith** Apr 18, 2016
When I came across Laura Tremaine’s blog Hollywood Housewife a few months ago I squealed in excitement. She’s from Oklahoma! And she’s a mom! And she loves writing! And she loves being a SAHM in Hollywood! Once my heart slowed down from racing after my new internet crush, I realized she had actually shut her blog down about a year ago and was no longer as active as before. So I sprang into action to find out where she is now and how I could convince her to come on my podcast and tell me everything about her life.

Fortunately for me she was more than willing and I didn’t have to offer her my first-born. Laura came over and we talked about how she left a small town in Oklahoma called Ardmore, and found her way into Hollywood. She talks about meeting the love of her life on the set of a TV show, yet neither of them realized it at first.

Her detailed story is here on her website and definitely worth reading. We talk about what’s like being moms in LA, because it’s not like any other city to raise kids. And her feelings about Hollywood Housewife, its success and eventual end.

The most revealing part of the show is toward the end where we both talk about faith and how we felt about it as kids in Oklahoma versus what we feel now. It’s so comforting to share something as intimate as faith and beliefs with someone you just met. But I have the feeling Laura brings that comforting, familiar connection to just about any one she meets. She was warm, funny, and put up with all of my ridiculous questions and comments which also makes her a saint in my book. Her husband is Jeff Tremaine, big time director/producer of all the Jackass movies and a string of hit TV shows like Ridiculousness, Rob & Big and Wildboyz. She has power as a Hollywood Housewife but you’d never know it by her genuine and down-to-earth demeanor.

Even though HH is no longer in production, you can still read all of her archived posts and I highly encourage you to that. During the show she shares with me what she plans to do next. It includes continuing to co-host her very funny podcast, Sorta Awesome with her friend Megan. Plus maybe a new direction for Hollywood Housewife is in her future.

You can find Laura and keep up with her on social media through her website, www.hollywoodhousewife.com

cocoa brown2 — **Comedian Cocoa Brown On Motherhood, Tyler Perry & Plus Sized Comedy** Apr 11, 2016
One Funny Momma Cocoa Brown is also, one BUSY momma! The comedian is starring as “Jennifer” on Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse (OWN), and just finished a recurring role on American Crime Story: The People versus OJ Simpson. She also tours around the country doing stand-up shows and has had roles in movies like Ted 2, and The Single Moms Club. But even with all this success, she tells me her favorite role is being a mom to her son, Phoenix. A woman after my own heart! I couldn’t wait to ask her how she balances the demanding schedule of a stand-up comic with motherhood.

(Side note, I want to be a stand-up comic so much, but just thinking about it makes me want to take a nap. It sounds like way more work than I’m ready for. #lazy)

Cocoa was very open about how in some ways her career changed after having her son, and in some ways it didn’t. I found myself wanting to jump through the Skype line and hug her when she was talking about how much she loves her child and her career. I get you Cocoa! I want women in entertainment, and specifically comedy, to know you CAN do both. I love my daughter more than life itself, but I also know it’s important to keep being my funny, wild, ridiculous self. We also talked about the challenges of being labeled a “plus sized” actress in Hollywood. We get a lot of auditions for “Bus Driver”, “Lunch Lady” and “Security Guard.” (All of which we nail of course.) But there’s so much more to women of size, women of color, and moms that she wants the world to know about. You have to listen to this episode to hear how inspiring her story is and where she plans to go from here.

I made Cocoa promise to be my friend forever which she didn’t think was weird at all. Yay! And we found out we used to live a few blocks from each other for several years and had no idea. This really is a small town!

Definitely take a minute to check out Cocoa’s website or see her in a show if you can. You’ll see why Tyler Perry adores her, Oprah thinks she hilarious, and why she’s earned the title One Funny Momma 😉

cocoa brown3 — **Comedian Cocoa Brown On Motherhood, Tyler Perry & Plus Sized Comedy** Apr 11, 2016
One Funny Momma Cocoa Brown is also, one BUSY momma! The comedian is starring as “Jennifer” on Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse (OWN), and just finished a recurring role on American Crime Story: The People versus OJ Simpson. She also tours around the country doing stand-up shows and has had roles in movies like Ted 2, and The Single Moms Club. But even with all this success, she tells me her favorite role is being a mom to her son, Phoenix. A woman after my own heart! I couldn’t wait to ask her how she balances the demanding schedule of a stand-up comic with motherhood.

(Side note, I want to be a stand-up comic so much, but just thinking about it makes me want to take a nap. It sounds like way more work than I’m ready for. #lazy)

Cocoa was very open about how in some ways her career changed after having her son, and in some ways it didn’t. I found myself wanting to jump through the Skype line and hug her when she was talking about how much she loves her child and her career. I get you Cocoa! I want women in entertainment, and specifically comedy, to know you CAN do both. I love my daughter more than life itself, but I also know it’s important to keep being my funny, wild, ridiculous self. We also talked about the challenges of being labeled a “plus sized” actress in Hollywood. We get a lot of auditions for “Bus Driver”, “Lunch Lady” and “Security Guard.” (All of which we nail of course.) But there’s so much more to women of size, women of color, and moms that she wants the world to know about. You have to listen to this episode to hear how inspiring her story is and where she plans to go from here.

I made Cocoa promise to be my friend forever which she didn’t think was weird at all. Yay! And we found out we used to live a few blocks from each other for several years and had no idea. This really is a small town!

Definitely take a minute to check out Cocoa’s website or see her in a show if you can. You’ll see why Tyler Perry adores her, Oprah thinks she hilarious, and why she’s earned the title One Funny Momma 😉

Travis Oates Gives Us A Peak Into The Voice Of Piglet and Punch-Ups Apr 04, 2016

I'm not sure I could cram any more topics into one episode if I tried. Seriously, I covered everything with Writer/Director Travis Oates. He's my former director from my sketch comedy days. And he's also the voice of Piglet from Winnie the Pooh! He talks about his days as a young star in Canada, Improv in LA, Star Trek, Star Wars, Wil Wheaton, legacies, Walt Disney, and of course, being a dad. It's all here folks! Don't forget to subscribe to MIH, follow me on Twitter @MIHpodcast and search Motherhood in Hollywood on Facebook and Instagram. Peace out.

Disney, Pilot Season, Diversity and Career Changes With Keiko Elizabeth Mar 28, 2016

I'm going to Disneyland! Details on that plus why pilot seasons sucks, shoutouts to listeners, and why you mean so much to me in my Mommy Monologue. My guest is actress/mom Keiko Elizabeth (Hawaii 5.0, Hot in Cleveland) and we're chatting about child care options for actors, diversity in Hollywood, and transitioning talent from the classroom to stage and screen. Keiko was a teacher in Oakland and is now pursuing her dream of being an actress. So cool! Don't for get to follow @MIHpodcast on Twitter and follow Motherhood in Hollywood on Facebook & Instagram!

Chris Cate From The Parent Normal Podcast On How Humor Helps Parents Mar 21, 2016

Chris Cate is the father of 3 kids and host of the popular Parent Normal Comedy Podcast. We talk about how parent humor can cross the line, how he is finding his inner standup comic again, and what it's like transitioning from the press to podcaster. I also vent about by BeerFit bummer, and why I love GoldieBlox-an engineering based toy aimed at young girls. We need more girls in the science and engineering fields! Plus, is anyone else exhausted???

Jill Alexander Gives Tips On Commercial Acting vs Theatrical & Joining SAG Mar 14, 2016

Jill Alexander has been in over a hundred commercials and dozens of TV shows. She's also a mom and embodies what Motherhood in Hollywood is all about. She shares her work with the Screen Actors Guild, her training with Second City and the Groundlings, and why she's started writing her own TV shows. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and leave a review!

Ep. 36 Audrina Patridge, Betsey Johnson On Being Fashionable Moms Mar 07, 2016

Motherhood in Hollywood is on-location this week! I hit the road to check out the Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower in LA. I met some inspiring mom friends and got up close and personal with cool new products for parents. I'm going to list them all here but that doesn't mean you can skip listening to the show. You would miss me ask really ridiculous questions like the mom-dork that I am. It's a tasty treat for your earholes!

Ep. 35 Actress Jillian Boyd Makes Us Feel Right At Home in “Welcome To Our Mansion” Feb 29, 2016

My friend Jillian Boyd stopped by MIH to talk about how her passion was re-focused with her writing partner Mark Edgar Stephens in their latest endeavor, Welcome To Our Mansion. This show is a self-made home movie-esque web series centered around a family in a trailer park in Central Florida.

Ep. 34 Comedian Laura House on Roseanne, Politics, And Pundits Feb 22, 2016

I wonder how many people tell comedian Laura House they love her on a daily basis. I hope it's a bunch. She's pretty great. She took time out of her busy schedule to come be on my show and we had a lively discussion to say the least. She shared what it's like to work on a network sitcom like Mom, and the hierarchy of TV writers. And then shit got interesting. We delved into politics and the presidential race, racism, why comedians do what they do, and why exactly Louis C.K. called her one of his favorite female comedians.

Ep. 33 Casting Director Dana Gergely Bowling On Casting Kids, And Finding Confidence Feb 15, 2016

Casting Director and fellow mom Dana Gergely Bowling (The Suite Life On Deck, Haunted Hathaways, A.N.T. Farm) shared her insights with me and it felt like I was being tickled with rainbows and sunshine during an East Coast blizzard. I just kept thinking...I need to hear this every day! She was so open and honest about why actors shouldn't be so hard on themselves, what's going on behind the scenes that we don't know about, and how working with Disney was an accidental dream job. She's incredibly candid about finding time for career and family, and how she built a strong business relationship and friendship with her casting partner Brandi Brice. She also has the unique perspective of someone who casts kids, and then goes home to her own kids. She's basically surrounded by kids all day! Okay that might be exaggerating a tiny bit. Either way if you're an actor, a parent, or aspiring to be both, then you need to listen to this show.

Ep. 32 MomCave TV Creator Jennifer Weedon Dishes On YouTube Lives Feb 08, 2016

Hurray for Mom Actors like Jennifer Weedon! If you've listened to my show at all you know I've talked about how it's becoming increasingly more important for actors and people in the entertainment industry to create their own content. It's almost kind of a buzzy thing to say (that's why I say it). There are many reasons behind this, namely connecting with other people in the industry, learning a new skill, and keeping your creative juices flowing until Hollywood comes a'callin. That's why I was so excited to talk to MomCave TV founder Jennifer Weedon. She's taken her career by the balls and started her own YouTube Channel with LIVE guests, funny videos and smart sketches aimed at moms. MomCave is billed as "a network of snarky comedies for moms.