Way Off the Record

This is a special holiday episode!Kristian and I talk about how this podcast has impacted our lives as a couple, our favorite holiday film and song, etc..\We discuss:My white trash proclivities, inc. Velveeta and Campbell's Bean and Bacon soupMariah CareyBarbra StreisandOur Dominican vs. Italian/French family heritageENJOY!special thanks for legal advice, from Arlen Appelbaum, for legal advice: https://www.facebook.com/arlen.appelbaum

We're thrilled to introduce our first live-music episode! Our guest is Forrest Harrison Gerke, an amazing singer/songwriter and visual artist. Check out his work at: http://www.forrestgerke.com/In this episode, we're treated to Forrest's unique interpretations of classic American songs, jazz standards as well as his take on more contemporary songs.We think you'll agree with us that we all need more of this type of programming.And check out Kay Gerke's amazing pottery: www.BentMountainPottery.com

My neighbor Carol and I talk about many things:Being a native New Yorker (her, not me)Her career shift from Advertising to Health FieldHer mother (the actress Beverly Lord) caring for elderly parents.And I also weigh in on my own experience*This episode contains frank discussions about elder healthcare and valuable tips about dealing with the care of one's parents.

Jason walks us through the process by which intellect, myth, martial arts, comic books and carpentry, informs his work. It's rare that an artist has the willingness (or facility) to talk deeply about their work, its process and influences, to give us an idea of what's involved in the creation of great art."Good artists borrow, great artists steal"-- Pablo PicassoLearn more about Jason's work:www.crescentiachronicles.comwww.jasonnickel.net

We talk to @carl0snath about his street comedy, buttholes and circumcision. Check out his YouTube channel, Carlos Nath Meets Reality, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBS87ZbHzQnWfzK3dKk0FPA#CarlosHood #WOTRpod #NYC #independentmedia

Martha and I talk about:LA vs. AustinFur babiesComedy and being a comicBaskets, including Zach G, Louie A and that green arm cast that's never mentioned.Pregnant texting on stairsDolly Paron

I talk to Lisa, the mother of a trans son and non-binary child, who are twins.We discuss what it's like to navigate a world in which, still, so many people prefer these folks to go away. We talk about the current administration and how that only adds to the problems trans kids have.Also discussed is our own, initial biases and how we had to grapple with our own shit. Only then were we able to truly understand the issues of trans and non-binary folks.I hope you'll listen and share, because this is info that I think is important to people to understand.

Maritri and I talk all about the process of making art: Stevie Wonder praising your set, living the life of an artist, Phoebe Snow, honoring those great talents we miss, like Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley, etc. And a little Judith Light to keep things interesting.ENJOY!

Joe and I talk about our time on the Cosby Show, my Phylicia Rashad moment, homophobia in the entertainment industry and what we've been up to in the past 30 years.

Eric and I talk about his new, gorgeous album, White Ribbon Highway. Interspersed amongst the discussion are samples of each of the nine tracks. ENJOY!You can purchase the album here: http://whiteribbonhighway.bandcamp.com/album/2

Jordan and I talk all about Mueller She Wrote, Margret Cho and her art collection, Jordan's new pod, Andrea Chalupa and the "very busy" Matt Miller and Bell House in BKNY, the comedy world vs. the podcast world, and Jordan coming out!ENJOY!

Travel for many people means many things: New places, new adventures, food, etc.In this episode, Nancy and I talk all about the cultural aspects of travel: What it's like to travel to distant lands, transact in a different language and currency, and especially how we adapt to vastly (or not) different cultures; and the challenge and joy of that.Maya Angelou and Anthony Bourdain are also mentioned.

LB and I share our origin stories growing up in upstate NY. We talk about race relations in Charlotte, Chelsea Handler, and our various careers, including Calvin Klein (hers), Cosby Show (mine) scuba diving training in Mexico (definitely hers), and her company Practical Dramatics and what "soft skills" are.You can learn more about her company, Practical Dramatics, here: https://www.practicaldramatics.com/Watch her inspiring TedTalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZHqG4rB34It's an inspiring chat, I hope you'll listen.

Tom Gualtieri and I discuss his and David Sisco's project, Draw the Circle Widehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOr-EcdIB6arpne9Tt78RjgWe talk about how, through DTCW, they hope to raise awareness about casting, how stories should evolve through songwriting, and how theatre needs to break open traditional ideas of race, sexual politics, gender issues, etc.check out one of their collaborators:Ali Stroker (Spring Awakening, Oklahoma)https://youtu.be/uegUEZRAuGAI hope you enjoy this episode as much as did in making it!

I first learned of John from the podcast "Trumpcast" for which he reads actual tweets from our president at the beginning of the show. Within the first weeks, I tweeting the show, and John, and we were linked.John is an actor, writer, stand-up and all around great guy. Check out our conversation.http://johnnyd.net/and the "build the wall" commercial:https://youtu.be/7jTCTALWkKo@realTrumpcast(hoping for a shout-out from Virginia Heffernan @paige88)

Dr. Mary Mansfield is a cool, funny and fascinating guest. She went from the Navy, to hospital administration, and then went to veterinary school. We talk all about this, our mutual love of I Dream of Jeannie and more. Enjoy!

Dirty is a legend in the NY nightlife scene and internationally renowned in the neo-burlesque movement.We talk about body positivity, The Lure, Girlina, Lypsinka, and Amanda Lepore's pasty advice.Dirty also talks about touring with Dita Von Teese, her film appearances in the documentary "Obscene Beauty" and the drama "Tournee," winner at the Cannes Film Festival.It's a bawdy and fun chat. Enjoy!

BrianAlex Mindlin is a singer-songwriter turned global brand strategist, turned singer-songwriter. (He also happens to be a former boss of mine!) A Bennington College-educated pianist and guitarist, his songs highlight an attention to metaphor, emotion, and instrumental technique. Brian makes his podcast debut on this episode and shows why now is the best time to return to your passions. Brian plays some of his beautiful music, LIVE in studio (and by "studio" I mean our living room).Learn more about Brian here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIruWoL2RUNs4cR1MtUEohwSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brianalex/tracksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianalexnyc/

We talk with actor, comic, stand-up, violinist Rachel Green about being a sex/body-positive woman in 2020 NYC. Slut energy/the ethical slut, body positivity, misogyny et al. are discussed, and how that impacts Rachel's life and career.The theme of this episode, and indeed this podcast is:"Love who you are, no matter the vessel, it's all gorgeous"Learn more: https://www.rachelgreen.nyc/

NOTE: This is a bridge episode before we launch our “Corona Check In” series. In this episode, we speak again with Maritri, our dear friend and consummate musician. We talk all about how life has changed for her and our friends and family. Maritri, like so many other “gig economy” musicians, is dealing with not only the pandemic, but a completely new economic reality.We also get a listen to some of her sublime music. We hope you’ll tune in!“...as the sun began her rise and the moon began its languish…”WOTRpod can be found on all platforms where you listen, including:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/way-off-the-record/id1488219188Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EeeLe3TNFJfvs6R9AHSQgGoogle Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vd2F5LW9mZi10aGUtcmVjb3JkLw%3D%3DPlease subscribe, rate and review. It really helps independent podcasters like us get noticed.