Onward with Rosie O'Donnell

After listening to Rosie interview Lyle Menendez in prison; many of our listeners reacted in such a visceral and intellectual way, we wanted to dedicate a full episode to some of your voice memos.Not an easy subject for anyone; no matter what you believe happened, Rosie felt it important to share your reactions and respond with her own.Please note:Abuse is discussed in this episode - nothing graphically, but it could be traumatic.Share your voice memos with any questions or comments for Rosie to: OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie and Onward producer, Lori E. Seid, share some conversation and news about the future. Thanks to you, the listener, we appreciate all your support. And a special shout out of thanks and love to Lyra Smith, Jenna Kagel and Chris Faller.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie's guest this week is the one and only, Linda Richman. Linda is part of the cultural zeitgeist; the hilarious, Barbra-obsessed, Saturday Night Live "Coffee Talk" character, ('I'm fahrklempt, talk amongst yourselves'), Linda Richmond.  And for Rosie, Linda has been a stand-in mother; a grandmother to her son Parker; and the hilarious sage Rosie turns to in just about every situation life brings her, for over 28 years! Tune in to their tête-tête and hear how both Linda and Rosie turned their heartbreak and grief into a lifelong friendship of trust, wisdom, laughter, as well as antics with their beloved Barbra.Linda's Bestseller Book "I'd Rather Laugh: How To Be Happy Even When Life Has Other Plans For You" (with a foreword by Rosie O'Donnell)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode is entirely about Rosie's experience with 'Guide Dogs of America' and what autism service dogs can do, not only for the child with autism but for the entire family. Learning about these service dogs who worked with autistic children, it was quickly realized that the child themself is not the dog's handler, so, Rosie became the designated adult, the 'Primary Handler' for her kiddo. Her guest, Kaylie Schmidt, is the volunteer autism service dog coach, that along with the Guide Dog of America trainers, worked with Rosie and the other autism mom during the 10 day in-campus hands on training period. An experience Rosie calls life changing.Link:https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie's guest this week is Derrick Downey Jr., also known as a "Squirrel's best friend." With well over a million followers, Derrick caught Rosie's eye and heart with his creativity, compassion and love for squirrels. Derrick shares content about fighting depression, taking care of oneself, and making the time to be still with nature through his squirrel family, especially Maxine. A true influencer. And a "cutie patootie" to boot! Listen in to Rosie and Derrick first actual conversation after years of private messaging through social media. An extraordinarily special meeting of the heart, mind, human spirit, and of course, squirrels!Also, check out: Hand and Paw: Maxine's Tale of Compassion by Derrick Downey Jr. His book of adventure for kids (young and old)! https://www.derrickdowneyjr.com/booksPlease send your voice memo questions or comments to Rosie: OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2000, when Rosie asked audience member, Jimmy Smagula, to stand up and play a singing game with her on live TV, who was to know it would be the beginning of a beautiful profound kinship? But as viewers, we saw their connection was electric. And now, Onward to 2024; Smagula's hopes and dreams mentioned during that short intro to his favorite comedian and talk show host, have been realized. He's currently starring in Spamalot on Broadway, his too numerous to mention appearances on so many hit TV shows including one of the most famous scenes from the ultimate in prestige television, The Sopranos, and now Jimmy's own podcast Baby Mouth. Listen in on this NY/NJ fast-paced, funny, and unfeigned conversation, when two friends who love and respect each other share special moments with us.Please share your questions or comments by voice memo to: OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our first episode back in 2024 is dedicated to YOU - our listeners! As you know, we ask for you to send in voice memos with questions and/or thoughts but we never seem to have enough time to do more than 2 questions per episode. Rosie wanted to hear from you more and here it is: a whole show of questions and thoughts from the voice memos sent in and Rosie responding.  Did we pick yours? Listen and find out, and; even if we didn't, it's a fun and heartfelt listen!And please - continue sending us your voice memos to: OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ricki Lake and Rosie chat and giggle about sex, drugs and hosting talk shows! Just say YES Nancy Reagan! We'll be back on January 16, 2024 with a new show consisting entirely of your questions and comments for Rosie! Please send your voice memos to OnwardRosie@gmail.com   (2 min or under if possible!)From all of us at Onward with Rosie O'Donnell, Have A Very Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer, Actor, Producer, and Creator Lena Waithe joins Rosie for this dynamic episode! The two bond over manifesting their careers as they dreamed from a very young age and their incredible love for Mary Tyler Moore. Waithe produced the doc, 'Being Mary Tyler Moore', that Rosie also appears in... Their powerful conversation is a true heart to heart about how different a person and their persona might be; using their voice and platform to support others, especially those who are other; and speak honestly about how impossible it is to be all things to all people. And then some! This is an episode you don't want to miss! We'll be back on January 16, 2024 with a new show consisting entirely of your questions and comments for Rosie! Please send your voice memos to OnwardRosie@gmail.com   (2 min or under if possible!)From all of us at Onward with Rosie O'Donnell, Have A Very Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unrivaled Sensation, Activist and Gay Icon Cyndi Lauper, is our very special guest this week. Listen in as two dear friends catch up with each other in a funny, heartbreaking, wacky and poignant way, as only two longtime friends could. They gab about their latest life happenings, their careers, and the day-to-day battle to use your voice and platform to unite for the good of mankind and the world. (And do yourself a favor, check out the clip of Cyndi singing after stepping on a bee!) We'll be back on January 16, 2024 with a new show consisting entirely of your questions and comments for Rosie! Please send your voice memos to OnwardRosie@gmail.com   (2 min or under if possible!)From all of us at Onward with Rosie O'Donnell, Have A Very Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Harris; singer, author, husband, dad, activist and Rosie's dear friend for over 40 years, is our guest this week. Meeting during their Star Search days, Rosie and Sam recognized each other as kindred spirits as soon as they laid eyes on one another, forming a life long familial relationship. Listen in as they chat at warp-speed about their show biz experiences, including being turned down for who they are, and then succeeding because of it; parenthood and becoming a better person for your children, and all the life they've lived along way.Our last new episode before our hiatus, we'll be back on Jan 16, 2024 with a new show consisting entirely of your questions and comments for Rosie! Please send your voice memos to OnwardRosie@gmail.com (2 min or under if possible!) Food On Foot - Empowering Our Neighbors To Overcome Homelessnesshttps://www.foodonfoot.orgFor more info on Sam Harris' books and albumsSamHarris.com From all of us at Onward with Rosie O'Donnell, Have A Very Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year!! xxxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie's guest this week is the TikTok sensation known only as "Annoyed Lemon." Scrolling thru, as she does, Rosie happened upon a floating lemon with enlarged eyes and huge lips, with wit and heart just as big. She's been hooked ever since; laughing and commenting with each other throughout the year, it became clear a longer conversation needed to happen! Remaining anonymous, Annoyed Lemon joins Rosie in a lively fast-paced and funny gabfest about everything under the sun, especially celeb memoirs. Lemon, known for spilling the tea to her followers after reading them, jumps right in with Rosie to share their favorites!Share your voice memos with any questions or comments for Rosie to OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, comedian and host, the dynamic Murray Hill joins Rosie this week in a chatty, poignant, and jocular conversation. An "overnight success" 25 years in the making, Murray is now widely known for portraying 'Fred' on the HBO hit show "Somebody, Somewhere." Listen in as Rosie and Murray compare notes from their "tomboy" days, creating their own ladders to climb up to break those glass ceilings, and passing the torch of unconditional acceptance to future generations. Share your voice memos with any questions or comments for Rosie to OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a favorite from the early releases - the "Magical Wisdom" of actress, best-selling author, and dear friend, Jenifer Lewis. Rosie and Jenifer have an uproarious and deep conversation about life, mental illness, and self-care. We'll be back with Murray Hill on December 5th! Share a voice memo with your questions for Rosie to: OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest this week is Allison Josephs, who Rosie met thru social media years ago. Allison's platform, @JewInTheCity, is a non profit organization that works to change negative perceptions about Orthodox Jews and Judaism.   Rosie and Allison sit down together to have a real exchange on what they each see has been happening since October 7, 2023. It is complex, and they both are resolute in their thoughts and feelings, sharing with respect and an honest desire to understand one another. The common goal being safety and peace for all. Not a light listen, but an extremely important conversation; one that cannot be avoided, and one that is happening all over the world. Please join us.More info on Allison Josephs' organization: https://jewinthecity.comPlease send any comments or question by voice memo to OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist, documentary filmmaker, and friend, Alexandra Pelosi sits down with Rosie to discuss her crucial new documentary, "The Insurrectionist Next Door." Alexandra, who is the youngest daughter of Nancy and Paul Pelosi, was with the Speaker inside the Capital, on Jan 6, 2021. After witnessing the violent insurrection unfold, Alexandra talked to the people who stormed the building, to ask why, and as a daughter, if given the chance, would they have actually killed her mother?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's conversation is with the phenomenally talented Cheryl Dunye, an award winning filmmaker and television director. Rosie's love and respect for Cheryl's 1st film, 'The Watermelon Woman' (its groundbreaking style is now known as Dunyementry*) is the spark that ignites this gabfest. But as all great conversations go; they wander thru just about every topic under the sun, including working together on the ill-fated 'American Gigolo', motherhood, being union strong, and vid-cons!(*Dunyementary, is a hybrid of narrative, documentary, comedy, and autobiography style of filmmaking with a narrative that may not exactly be true but gives voice to real people and events that have never been represented)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Rosie's guest is the award winning playwright, actress and drag legend, Charles Busch.  One of the funniest broadway shows Rosie ever saw was Charles' The Tale of The Allergist's Wife and when deciding to produce Taboo on Broadway, he was THE only writer she wanted! This pursuit and production began their lifelong friendship filled with drama, laughter, and survival. Join us as Rosie and Charles sit down to a long overdue chinwag about his fantastically fun and poignant new memoir, Leading Lady; finally embracing their experiences of Taboo; each of their ignored heart attacks; and the undeniable moments when magical thinking somehow appears at life's darkest and most needed moments. Please send voice memos with your questions, comments or thoughts to OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's guest is Angela Tucker. A brilliant filmmaker, author and transracial adoptee, her new book on that subject, You Should Be Grateful, makes for a fascinating conversation with Rosie. Listen in as their unique perspectives of adoptee and adopter makes for an engrossing and enlightening conversation about the many layered complications of adoption, which often are portrayed in a fairy-tale narrative of "You Should Be Grateful"...Links fro the spisode: https://www.adopteementorship.org/https://www.angelatucker.com/ Please send voice mail with your questions, comments or suggestions in a voice memo to OnwardRosie@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, join Rosie and her guest, artist Sophia B Hawkins, in a absolutely fantastical conversation. Having met right after Sophie released her biggest hit, Damn I Wish I was your Lover; and Rosie was seen in her first movie, A League Of Their Own, they experienced a deep and magical connection like none other. Their long soulful friendship is on full tilt as they chat about fame, motherhood, protecting yourself and self love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.