Motherhood In Hollywood

Raise your hand if you know everything about parenting? *sees no hands* I certainly don't know everything and am always trying to learn more about being a better parent. Thankfully we have Jo Frost, better known as the Supernanny to help us. And after a 9 year break from her supernanny role, she's returning to television on Lifetime TV. Supernanny Jo Frost and Heather Brooker having tea The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Jo has 30 years of expertise in helping families navigate the often tumultuous and confusing task of raising children. Seriously. are we doing it right?? Only time will tell! The "Supernanny" first made her appearance on television 15 years ago and sparked many conversations about parenting and how we can do better as parents. Jo ended the show in 2011 but recently decided it was time to come back and share her signature brand of tell-it-like-it-is parenting advice to families who need her help. I had the chance to sit down with Jo over tea and talk about why she's back on TV now, wh

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 ones we're anticipating the most. On the top of both of our lists is "Wonder Woman 1984." I love anything 80's and I have a feeling this is going to be a retro nostalgia overload and I can't wait. I think Chris is just pumped to see Gal Gadot in her WW outfit (and who can blame him?) We are split on "Top Gun 2." I am pumped for that one, for sexual reasons. Chris doesn't think it's necessary. I'm like, of course it's necessary! We have to see what they've been up to these last 30 years! Are they still riding the hog into the sunset? And there better be a volleyball scene or I'm walking out. We're also spilt on "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." Chris is really excited for this one because he thinks it looks like a unique continuation of the characters. I think it looks like a kids version

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 i

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. After directing two short documentaries about female empowerment in young women, (Girls Rock! Chicago (2010) and Growing up Strong: Girls on the Run (2012)) Sarah directed her first feature doc called The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things (2014). That film has been screened over 700 times around the US and around the world in schools, groups, organizations and corporations starting conversations about gender equality. With Indieflix as the distributor, the film has been sponsored by major brands like Nordstrom, American Girl an

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. Rachael says vibration training is more than physical fitness and it's backed by science. She tells me NASA uses this technology to train their astronauts. I'm in! Anything that's good enough for the astronauts is good enough for me! I haven't tried a class yet but it's on my list as soon as I get a break. Here's why Rachael says it works: "We utilize the science of vibration to wake up your cells, increase circulation, drain & detoxify the lymphatic system, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery time. The body’s response to vibration increases serotonin & HGH and reduces cortisol— leaving you feeling high and living more vibrantl

I am in awe of moms who do stand up comedy. It's such a grind and the payoff isn't guaranteed. Add to that the negativity that comes with jaded comics who are "keeping it real" and it seems like such a hard road to travel with kids in tow. My guest this week is Jenna Kim Jones who is shedding light on the world of comedy while juggling mom life. Jenna and her husband Al host a podcast called Couple Friends. On their website, they describe is as a virtual friendship with their listeners. "Let Jenna Kim Jones and her husband #AL be your virtual couple friends. JKJ and #AL are the married couple friends you really want to see but, like, you’re also kind of tired and maybe we can do it another time?  They get you. And you get them. Listen to them talk about nonsense, play games, and ramble on about life. They’ll never talk politics and best of all, they’ll never ask you to babysit their kids so they can go on date night."   Jenna is a clean comic and says she's been called a clean version of Amy Schumer, wh

So many times I think, I wish there was four of me! Luckily 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! Each mom has their own specialty from fashion to food. And they share their talents on their website, Youtube channel and Instagram. I wanted to talk with these mamas about how they found each other, but more importantly how they navigate friendship in today's world. I feel like women have so much more pressure now than ever before to look, sound, perform and BE a certain way. Is it any wonder how any of us make friends...and keep them? Social media adds pressure for us all to seem perfect, swing the other way and be a hot mess. Is there an in between? That's where I am. And that's where the Moms on the Clock live. They share open, honest posts about their lives as moms and friends with very useful content.  Listen to this episode and

I've known Teresa Reilly ("Parks and Rec.") for almost 10 years. We did a small indie play together called Slumpbuster and to a lackluster crowd of about 10 people a night for 6 weeks (I think?). We've stayed in touched thanks to social media, but I noticed a prolonged absence on her end. She practically disappeared. I assumed, like most millennials that she was just taking a social media break. After all, constantly posting online can wear you out. But in reality, Teresa had an accident at the gym and suffered a traumatic brain injury that devastated her world. She had to relearn some motor skills and overcome memory issues. When she describes what she went through, all I can think is how strong she is. I don't know that I would have had the strength to pull myself together. But she did. And now she and her husband are expecting their first child, due any day now. She says she spent the last several years focusing on her health. As actors we can have a one-track mind that only looks for the next big au

I've watched Katrina Law for years on the hit CW show "Arrow" and now I can't believe she's on my podcast. I'm getting total cool wife points on this one!  She played Nyssa al Ghul, a former high ranking member of The League of Assassins. My deep track nerds will appreciate just how cool this is. Internationally, she is also well known for starring as Mira on the critically acclaimed STARZ series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” and “Spartacus: Vengeance.”   Fast forward a few years and Katrina just joined season 10 of "Hawaii 5-0" and is already kicking butt on, and off screen. I was so thrilled to talk to her while she was on a break from filming in Hawaii. Not only is she a badass in her new role as Quinn Liu, but she's also mom to an almost one-year-old baby girl named Kinley. She took a break from filming to chat with me about the challenges and joys of being a new mom while stepping into a new role on a popular show. "Hawaii 5-0" has been on for 10 seasons and has a well established fanbase. For some

Heads up! Real talk ahead. My friend Erin Ziering stopped by to be on my podcast! I wanted to talk about her new show on the Tellie App, but we quickly got sidetracked on a bunch of topics that have been top of mind lately. In LA there seems to be an abundance of fabulous events. Every week someone is having a party, hosting a panel, screening, unveiling, brunch or meet and greet. Honestly, it's overwhelming sometimes but we go because we want to network and support our friends. That's what's important! But 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.  I understand businesses want to have launch parties, or special events - as they should! That's not what this is about. This is about what these events are doing to us as a community. Things get competitive real quick when people feel like they

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 2019Launch p

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 burned 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 boundar

Halle Stanford, President of Television for The Jim Henson Company (PRNewsfoto/The Jim Henson Company) 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 then 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! Peter Brooke, Creative Supervisor of the Jim Henson Creature Shop and Aughra.   She introduced me to several puppeteers who were working on "Splash and Bubbles" while I was there. It was so cool to see how Henson Co. incorporates new technology with the classic art form of puppeteering. A few months later she also connected me with the incredible creators of Indie Shakes - LA's Independent Shakespeare Festival. I had no idea such a thing existed in LA. Now I look forward to every summer because it means I can support them and go see their shows. And one of the coolest things Ha

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. That being said, they don't do a lot of drinking or talking about drinking on the show. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't grab a glass of vino and enjoy it anyway. Betsy and Amanda have been friends for a very long time. They met in the UCB improv scene in New York and eventually made their way to LA. We talk about the improv scene here and the importance of UCB where Betsy regularly teaches class. Amanda is crushing it in the voice over world and is contemplating returning to acting in front of the camera. It's not an easy decision. These ladies have 3 kids each so you can imagine they have a lot of fun stories to tell. I invited them on because I love hearing stories about how moms are

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. Ellie and Lisa say the goals is not to create fear, but empower parents and kids to get a plan in place should an emergency arrive. "From memorizing important phone numbers to ensuring no one touches them inappropriately.  Children can learn safety information, good manners and social skills by playing The Game Plan Game.  Knowledge is power and the more confidence and tools children have to handle challenging situations, the better." Both moms have a long history in the entertain

Latin talent manager 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. Kontakto represents Emmy Award winner Sandra Vidal (Rica, Famosa, Latina), Vivian Lamolli (Warner Studios’ The Latin From Manhattan and Hulu's original East Los High), Eddie Martinez (Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico), Gabriel Tarantin (EL Baron on NBC/Telemundo), Natasha Perez (HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm), Mario Ponce (Mi Tu’s Cholo World), and Briana Roy (Reclaim, Recovery Road) just to name a few. Echeverry dropped by the MIH studio where she patiently waited for me to address some technical issues so we could begin our interview. And I'm so glad she did because our conversation was lively and full of great advice for latinos and non-latinos in the indus

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 at a taping of Erin's talk show and immediately clicked. I was surprised and delighted to find out just how much we have in common. Courtney used to perform on Broadway as an actress and dancer and eventually made her way to LA. She met Mario while they were both starring in A Chorus Line and they had an instant connection. Now many moons later they have two kids and a third on the way. And even though she is due any minute now, she took time out to be a guest on my show.  We talked about everything from the challenges of living up to the image of a Hollywood wife, to focusing on family instead of a career. I loved her honesty when we talked about being a hands on mom. She doesn't miss the days of running to auditions, or performing in the ch

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 li

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 a

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 s