Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Gina Barreca - Author, Editor, Academic, Humorist

Gina Barreca is truly a force of nature. She's written 10 books, edited 11 others, and her work has been translated into several languages. Her latest - FAST FUNNY WOMEN - is a collection of 75 nonfiction essays written by women ages 20 to 89 and includes a whole host of accomplished females. Gina's been featured on CNN, PBS, 20/20, 48 Hours, The Today Show, Oprah and was interviewed for the highly acclaimed PBS series for its profile of Mae West. A full-time academic, Gina teaches at the University of Connecticut and is an honoree of the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame. It won't take long for you to become a big GB fan!

Claudia Nankervis, Entertainment Producer

Direct from Australia, Claudia Nankervis, who by the way, is not my first guest from the 'land down under.' That distinction goes to her filmmaker mom, who I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing a while back. Her dad, by the way, Brian Nankervis, co-hosts a RocKwiz, a popular tv music show back home. Needless to say Claudia was introduced to the arts at a young age and she's capitalized on that. She's worked in radio, interned at a film production company in NYC and worked at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She currently co-hosts a podcast and is developing a web series.

Ashley Nicole Black, Is Back

It's been a while since we first met and got to know the very funny and talented Ashley Nicole Black and so we thought it's time for a 'part 2.' Ashley, who was a former correspondent and part of the Emmy-winning writing team for "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," is now a member of HBO's new comedy series, "A Black Lady Sketch Show." It's a big deal because the cast, writers room and director are all black women. There's lot to talk and laugh about with this open, honest, irreverent creative woman!

Julie Halston, Actress

She's baaack! And we couldn't be more excited. Actress/comedienne Julie Halston holds a special place in the Conversations with Creative Women universe. This marks her 4th appearance and for good reason. Julie's got a lot going on, including her latest role: Rita Marshall, the tough producer in the Broadway-bound production of "Tootsie," the musical based on the classic 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman. You won't want to miss our conversation with this very funny, talented creative woman!

Lauren Molina, Broadway Actress

Lauren Molina has one helluva resume. She is an award-winning actress, musician, singer/songwriter who also performs with her highly popular, comedic 'undie rock band, The Skivvies. Her acting career has taken her to Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater. She's been receiving rave reviews as Bella Rose, the loveable, ballsy harlot Bella Rose in "Desperate Measures," the hit musical based on Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. There's lots to talk about with this warm, funny, open, engaging creative woman.

Susan Silver, Comedy Writer

You're about to meet and get to know a Hollywood trailblazer. Susan Silver is one of the first female sit-com writers, whose career began in 1971 at "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Her mentor was none other than the great Garry Marshall. Susan went on to write for "The Bob Newhart Show," "Maude," "The Partridge Family" and "Square Pegs." She was also the Casting Director for "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." Oh, there's more. Susan dishes about the highs and lows of both her comedy career and her love life in her memoir, "Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets and Sitcoms." This is one helluva conversation with one helluva creative woman!

Sophie Brooks, Filmmaker

Sophie Brooks got her Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and television from New York University in 2012. And not quite 5 years later, has made her feature writing and directing debut with "The Boy Downstairs." The romantic comedy stars Zosia Mamet (she played Shoshanna Shapiro in the HBO hit "Girls"), who, after a few years living abroad, moves back to New York City. Unbeknownst to her, she rents an apartment in her former boyfriend's building. Sophie talks about her motivation as well as the challenges she faced in making her first commercial film.

Amy Engelhardt, Singer/Songwriter/Actress

Meet yet another very talented, funny, creative woman. Amy Engelhardt is a composer, lyricist, singer and teacher. Quite frankly, it would take several paragraphs to list all her credits. And clearly, there will be many more to come. So why not just sit back and enjoy a conversation with this dynamo. You'll be glad you did.

Amy Marcs, Actress and Playwright

Amy Marcs has been there, done that. She's an actress, playwright, voice-over artist, professor and ordained interfaith minister/spiritual counselor. And...she's also the writer and star of her critically acclaimed one-woman show, "Nice Tits," during which she shares life as a breast cancer patient and survivor. Amy's story is raw, brutally honest and absolutely hilarious. And quite frankly, so is our conversation. So sit back and get to know this warm, open, funny, creative woman.

Sheila Head and Norma Lana, Entertainment Professionals

Sheila Head and Norma Lana, two very funny, accomplished and creative women have joined forces both personally and professionally. They first met at voice over auditions - one thing led to another and 4 years ago they got married. Sheila, an actress, comedy writer and improv pro and Norma, also a writer, actress/producer, media trainer put their talents together and are behind the pulpy comedy, "Hollywood Nurses." Sheila's the co-writer, Norma, the producer. In case you had no idea, "the mid-1950s was the heyday of pulp novels and the unique expression of queer sexuality in paperback." We talk about that and lots of other 'stuff' in this no-holds barred, hilarious, engaging conversation.