The Salisha Show-Where Broadway Meets Culture

Latest Episodes:

#199- Navigating Addiction with Author of Stash: Laura Cathcart Robbins Sep 26, 2025

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Author of Stash, Laura Cathcart Robbins visits Black Hair in the Big Leagues with host, Salisha Thomas Weiss. She takes us on the journey of how her addiction began, the agony of rehab, and how she returned to the world and persisted in living a life of sobriety, and living to tell the story. Laura is a freelance writer, speaker, and host of The Only One In The Room podcast, a 2022 TEDx speaker, and an LA Moth StorySlam winner.Buy her book. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Stash/Laura-Cathcart-Robbins/9781668005347Follow her. @lauracathcartrobbins, www.lauracathcartrobbins.com

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

Many thanks to Gotham Network in NYC, TyNia Brandon for writing and laying vocals down for the updated theme song and Big Red Studios for the intro video wherever you watch the latest season of The Salisha Show!

#198- From Pre-Med to Broadway Star: Samantha Williams' Journey Sep 26, 2025

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In this video on Black Hair in the Big Leagues (The Salisha Show), we're diving into the incredible journey of Samantha Williams, a true Broadway sensation! Ever wonder what it’s like to shift from dreaming of being a doctor to starring on Broadway? Samantha spills the tea on her path from being a pre-med student to taking the stage in iconic roles like Alana Beck in "Dear Evan Hansen" and Emmie Thibodeaux in "Caroline, or Change." Join me, Salisha Thomas, in this conversation from 2021 as we chat about her experiences, from handling the pressure of big roles to embracing her natural beauty and luscious curls. Hit subscribe and come on the ride as we explore the empowering journey of self-discovery and representation on stage. You won’t want to miss this personal and inspiring conversation!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro01:20 - Samantha’s Journey to Broadway04:31 - Pressure of Big Roles at a Young Age06:31 - Hair in Dear Evan Hansen13:27 - Hair Journey and Transformation16:03 - Embracing Your Skin and Identity21:35 - Current Hair Products and Tips26:35 - Gratitude and Mindfulness PracticesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#197- Interview with Aisha Jackson, Broadway's Frozen Sep 19, 2025

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Host, Salisha Thomas welcomes Broadway's Aisha Jackson as her first guest on Black Hair in the Big Leagues! Aisha's Broadway credits include Beautiful the Carole King Musical, Waitress (OBC), Frozen (standby as the first and only Black Anna on Broadway), and is slated to star in The Britney Spears Musical One More Time upon Broadway's return.Follow Aisha Jackson on IG @gifted2sing

This is a throwback episode. Aisha has continued to slay show after show on Broadway as the queen she is.

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#196- A sitdown with host of Meeno Podcast, Safiya Vanterpool Sep 12, 2025

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Safiya Vanterpool has worked as an assistant on Black Hair in the Big Leagues and is now the Social Media Manager for Black Hair in the Big Leagues/The Salisha Show! We are SO PROUD that she has recently created her own show called Meeno, available wherever you listen to podcasts!Follow her @Safiya.anika_ and @meenopodcas

This is a throwback episode! Thank you for listening while we film our newest season of The Salisha Show!

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#195- Tony Award Winning Actress for Paradise Square: Joaquina Kalukango Sep 05, 2025

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Powerhouse Joaquina Kalukango joins Black Hair in the Big Leagues with host Salisha Thomas this week! She is currently starring in Paradise Square, bringing down the house 8 times a week playing Nelly. The show is fantastic. She is PHENOMENAL. She was also in the Godspell Revival, Hollar if Ya Hear Me, The Color Purple, and the original Broadway cast of A Slave Play. Not to mention When They See Us, Mahalia, One Night in Miami, and Lovecraft Country.Follow her journey @joaquinakalukango!

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#194- Vanguard Theater Company: JANEECE FREEMAN CLARK Aug 29, 2025

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This is a throwback episode featuring Janeece Freeman Clark on Black Hair in the Big Leagues before it transitioned to The Salisha Show! She is an actor, director, producer, and the founder of Vanguard Theater Company which educates the youth and also has a HUGE mentorship program matching up each student with an actor currently on Broadway. She was in the Broadway production of Urinetown but truly has a heart for education. You'll leave this episode feeling like you want to go and make a difference in the world!Learn more about Vanguard Theater Company!

SHOW NOTES: JANEECE FREEMAN CLARK

She is an amazing producer, director, and artist educator. In 2015, she confounded Vanguard Theatre Company (within the company there’s a mentorship program she works with)Urinetown on BroadwayStarted her natural hair journey in college and transitioning was very challenging for her because of the thickness of her hair. Braids were a go to during this transition period.It took her about 2 years and a ton of patience to go fully natural and remove past damage.Being natural was very important to Janeece so that her children could grow up with the normalcy of natural hair! Talks about some sort of “Hair Program” within other theatre programs to teach about hair prep and wig prep for the stage!Important conversation about integrating black hair care and education into schools and programs. Is there a black women’s guide to hair care on the big stage?

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#193- After the Final Curtain with guest Justin Guarini Aug 22, 2025

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Welcome to one of our favorite throwback episodes with American Idol's Justin Guarini as he stops by Black Hair in the Big Leagues with host, Salisha Thomas for an episode of laughter and nostalgia. Justin recently closed his run as Prince Charming in Once Upon a One More Time at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway. In addition to performing live in front of 30 Million viewers during American Idol season 1 and landing in the top two, Justin has also gone on to have an impressive career on Broadway, headlining 7 shows. He is the author of Audition Secrets and you may have caught him in a series of Dr. Pepper commercials as Lil Sweet. Book Justin for coaching, workshops, speaking and more at www.JustinGuarini.com and follow him on social media @justinguarini.For the video version of this episode, click here.Follow host, Salisha Thomas @salishathomas or go to www.salishathomas.com.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#192- The Icon and Living Legend: Jocelyn Bioh Aug 15, 2025

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This is a throwback episode with the one and only Jocelyn Bioh! Originally Jocelyn sat down with jost, Salisha Thomas gracing Black Hair in the Big Leagues with her presence the week for our 100th Episode!!!!!!! She is the woman who wrote School Girls: The African Mean Girls Play, and Nollywood. She's a playwright with Manhattan Theater Club and Atlantic Theatre Company. She's a resident playwright at Lincoln Center. She adapted Marry Wives for Shakespeare in the Park which was turned into a documentary on HBO Max. The musical soon to hit Broadway starring Amber Iman called Goddess, was written by Jocelyn Bioh. In addition to her incredible contributions to the art in New York and beyond, she is also an actor and has performed on and off Broadway (OBC for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.) Ohio State and Columbia University grad, Jocelyn Bioh is one of the founders of the Black Women on Broadway instagram account.Follow her @blackwomenonbroadway, @jjbiohFollow host, Salisha Thomas @salishathomas.

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#191- Jasmine Amy Rogers shines as BETTY BOOP and Beyond! Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

This is a throwback episode to our new icon Jasmine Amy Rodgers. Previously released on April 25, 2024 before her Broadway run as Betty Boop in BOOP! Since this episode, she has been Tony nominated for best leading actress and truly took Broadway by storm, leaving a firm stamp on the industry that YES: Jasmine Amy Rodgers is truly a STAR through and through.

Betty Boop's BOOP: Jasmine Amy Rogers joins host, Salisha Thomas on this week's episode of Black Hair in the Big Leagues! Jasmine is a true Triple threat. She’s a Jimmy awards finalist, attended Manhattan School of Music, was cast in Becoming Nancy, and Gretchen in the national tour of Mean Girls. When Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray and La Cage aux faux choreographer, and director Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, and Pretty Woman) went on what felt like a world wide search for his Betty in the the new Betty Boop musical, he found this gorgeous starlette. Please welcome the star of Boop, JASMINE AMY ROGERS!Follow Jasmine on IG @jasmine_amy_r

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#190- LIVE: In Conversation at The Drama Book Shop with Guest Host TyNia Brandon Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Hey y’all, what’s up? In this episode, we’re live at The Drama Book Shop in New York City for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation hosted by the amazing TyNia Brandon! Ever wonder what it’s like to shine on Broadway, tackle 12 roles as a swing, or even step into Cinderella’s glass slippers during *Once Upon a One More Time*? Salisha Thomas shares it all! From her journey in *Beautiful: The Carole King Musical* to becoming a Black Cinderella, to her new show, *The Salisha Show*, she’s proving why being a 10 is all about embracing your authentic self. Stepping into a new role as author, Salisha dives into her debut publication, *Why Be a 9 When You Can Be a 10: A Cheat Code for Winning at Life*.Hear personal stories about Broadway performances, her role as Snow White, and the power of saying yes (and no!) to opportunities. This convo is full of laughter, heart, and so much inspiration. Hit subscribe and come on the ride to uncover Salisha’s take on discipline, self-love, and creating your own path in the theater world. Let’s celebrate the magic of Broadway together! 🎭✨CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro01:28 - Why Be a 9 When You Can Be a 1003:52 - Transitioning from a 9 to a 1008:56 - Expanding Your Identity11:35 - Discovering Your True Self16:02 - Embracing Opportunities20:10 - Setting Boundaries26:25 - The Path of Discipline28:40 - Quieting the Inner Critic30:28 - Greenlighting Your Vision32:30 - Creating Meaningful Art35:00 - Preparing for Your Dream Job40:50 - Be, Do, Have Philosophy41:38 - Cultivating Main Character Energy43:00 - Defining Your LegacyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

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