Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

TD Mitchell shares her passion and talent for storytelling and advocacy through several channels. She is perhaps best known as a writer and story editor for the acclaimed TV series "Army Wives." TD is also a playwright. The world premier of "Queens for a Year," which opened the 2016-2017 season at Hartford Stages, focuses on four generations of women who served in the Marine Corps. The play is riveting, thought-provoking and sobering. We cover a lot of ground in 30 minutes.

Kristine Bendul's career has crossed over from ballet, to Broadway to dance companies, to music videos, film, television and teaching. Oh, she's also a published children's book author. Kristine's journey is a fascinating, heart wrenching and clearly rewarding one that she shares openly and honestly. Tune in for yet another no-holds barred conversation with a multi-dimensional, creative woman.

Meet Ashley Nicole Black, the Emmy-nominated comedy writer/correspondent for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which in case you didn't know, is not only the first political talk show hosted by a woman, but has THE most diverse writing staff in late night history!  Ashley began her comedy career at Second City in Chicago after earning a Masters in performance studies at Northwestern. She dropped out of a PhD program to pursue comedy and the rest is history! Sit back, tune in and let Ashley make your day!

A music teacher since 1980, Lisha Lercari is the driving force behind Music and the Brain, a hands-on program that teaches public school children to read and play music through classic keyboard instruction. Neurological research links music and cognitive development, so when children receive sequential music instruction, it impacts their proficiency in language, reading, math, etc. Since this music teacher on a mission founded and created Music and the Brain in 1997, hundreds of thousands of youngsters in grades K-5, have benefitted from the program, in schools throughout New York City, as well as other cities in the U.S. and abroad.

Her face may not be familiar, but her voice is. A successful and much-in-demand versatile voice over artist, Debbie Irwin's the voice of the Statue of Liberty, has been featured on countless radio and tv commercials, sales and marketing videos, corporate and medical narrations, on hold message and phone prompts, as well as live announcing and museum audio tours. Listen in as Debbie talks about her varied and versatile career.

Meet Ferne Pearlstein, yet another creative women with a long list of credits behind her name. A prize-winning cinematographer, Ferne's also a writer/director, producer and editor whose films have been shown nationally and internationally. Her most recent feature documentary, "The Last Laugh," features among others: Mel Brooks, Carl and Rob Reiner, Sara Silverman, Susie Essman and Auschwitz survivor Renee Firestone. The film explores what is and is not off-limits in comedy and includes rare archival footage of cabarets in concentration camps. "The Last Laugh" had its world premier at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. There's plenty to talk about, so get comfortable and tune in!

A Marketing Executive whose business career has spanned more than 25 years, Marla Isackson has created innovative campaigns for Citibank, American Express, Barnes and Noble and WebMD. She has also been a longtime supporter of women's initiatives. Combining both, Marla founded Like A Boss Girls (likeabossgirls.com). The website with the catchy title, provides young women with the tools, information and inspiration to define, explore and achieve their goals to become entrepreneurs, leaders and social activists. She knows young women have the strength, determination and talent to make a difference - a big difference.

Singer Vivian Sessoms makes a return appearance - and we couldn't be more pleased! An entertainer with a long and impressive resume, Vivian's new album "LIFE" explores the themes of love, loss and life. The first single, the Billie Holiday classic "Strange Fruit," deals with the timeless and potent issues of racism and social inequality. "LIFE" also features appearances by some of the most talented musicians and performers to compose today's jazz scene. It's been quite a ride for Vivian, so listen in and catch up.

Jane Golden is a powerhouse. An artist, visionary, activist, educator, author and expert on urban transformation through art, she is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. It began in 1984 as an anti-graffiti initiative and under Jane's direction has created more than 38-hundred landmark works of art. It is the country's largest mural program. We couldn't be more thrilled that she shares her story with us!

How many professional, classical female trombonists can you name? Let's go out on a limb and say, none. That's about to change. Let us introduce Rebecca Cherian, co-principal trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony since 1989. The road to being the highest paid, highest ranked woman trombonist in a top ten U.S. orchestra has been a hard-fought journey for this talented, passionate, trail-blazing musician. As you're about to find out, Rebecca's one amazing woman.

Get up close and personal with EMME, the world's first curvy supermodel, whose career spans more than 2 decades. She's a recognized advocate for positive female body image, giving women a platform to feel beautiful and empowered. A tv personality, author, businesswoman and creator of her own clothing lines, EMME was the first model invited to appear before a Congressional subcommittee looking into how to increase public awareness of eating and body disorders. Needless to say, there's plenty to talk about!

A return appearance for creative and multi-talented Broadway/off-Broadway actress, director, producer, dancer, wardrobe supervisor and co-founder of the not-for-profit Working Artists Theater Project, Jessica Dermody. Even though this is conversation #2, there is no shortage of topics as we discuss Jessica's passion and love of the theater arts. Her enthusiasm, drive and commitment are both contagious and inspirational.

Barb Collins and Marsha Wallace, two amazing, inspirational and committed women. They are the co-founders of Dining for Women, the largest educational giving circle that connects people in the West with projects supporting women and girls living in extreme poverty in the developing world. Thanks to their tireless efforts and drive to make the world a better place, Dining for Women has 8,000 grassroots members in just about every state and 6 countries, who meet in home and community-based chapters. Members donate what they would have spent dining out. Since it's founding in 2003, DFW has raised more than 5 million dollars. Marsha and Barb will 'blow you away!'

What's it like working as a foreign correspondent? You're about to find out. Alexis Okeowo spent a good part of her career in Nigeria, Uganda and Mexico freelancing for various publications/organizations, including the New York Times Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Financial Times and the international news agency, Agence France-Press. Alexis, who joined the New Yorker as a staff writer in 2015, is working on a book: A Moonless, Starless Sky: Womoen and Men Fighting Extremism in Africa. She shares the challenges and rewards of global reporting as a woman in what's typically thought of as a man's world.

When it comes to public education Harriet Isecke's been there, done that. During her more than 38 year career, she's been a teacher, curriculum director, educational consultant, grant writer, children books author and has been listed in Who's Who Among American Educators four times. In 2010 Harriet began a new venture - Readorium. It's a web-based supplemental program aimed at teaching students reading comprehension skills using fun, easy to digest concepts. Readorium won the 2016 National CODiE Award for Best Reading/English/Language Arts Solution.