Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Debra Rapoport - Artist, Educator

I think it's fair to say that no one holds a candle to New Yorker Debra Rapoport. She always loved dressing up - studying textile design and creating textiles that are body coverings, not apparel. Many of her designs are wearable accessories or hats from re-purposed materials. We know you'll get a real kick meeting and getting to know this woman who marches to her own drummer!

Julia Daily - Author, Podcast Host, Teacher

Julia Daily 's out with novel #2 - The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch. It finds life-changing big time for Emma Rosales - heiress of a million acres of the largest estate in the Lone Star State. Turns out, Emma discovers folks living on the property. Julia's debut novel is, No Names to Be Given. As for her podcast, Julia's focuses on fiction writing by women during mid-life. And there are plenty.

Amal Ghandour - Author, Historian

Amal Ghandour has a lot on her mind. The author, historian, and memoirist lives in Beirut and writes about what the experience has been like. And…there’s plenty to talk about both personally and politically. Her book, This Arab Life: A Generation's Journey into Silence, draws from Amal's personal history, as well as larger political and cultural issues. Her riveting book shares what it means to be Arab in today's world - the feeling, for example, of being a tourist in her own country and craving connection with her culture, her family and herself. Needless to say, there's lots to talk about.

Lake Buckley - Director, Illustrator, Teacher, Guest Speaker

Lake Buckley is yet another award-winning, creative woman. Her clients include Google, What's App, Patagonia, and MTV, to name just a few. Her work has been described as “highly composed, conceptually sound, and delightfully strange.” Lake's goal is to find clients and collaborators who share similar synergies in order to make authentic and differentiated work. Does she? Tune in and find out!

Judy Mandel - Author, Former Reporter and Marketing Executive

Judy Mandel’s essays, short stories, and articles have been published here, there, and everywhere. Her first memoir, Replacement Child, made the NYT bestseller list. It’s followed by WHITE FLAG, which also focuses on the trauma that has plagued Judy’s family. This is one no holds barred, riveting, look into the lives of a family forced to confront and deal with nightmare after nightmare.

Elizabeth Ward Land - Broadway, Film/TV Actress, Singer, Musician

Elizabeth Ward Land is known for her standout roles on Broadway, most recently as a member of Sarah Silverman's off-Broadway musical, The Bedwetter. She's also been featured in numerous television and movie roles. Using her powerful and resonant voice, Elizabeth's new album, "Still Within the Sound of My Voice, - The Songs of Linda Ronstadt," is a powerful tribute to the 11-time Grammy-winning music legend, who was diagnosed with a medical condition that caused her to lose control of her vocal cords - effectively ending her singing career. With this album, Elizabeth pays homage to the incomparable Ms. Ronstadt. Elizabeth has plenty of stories to share, making for a fascinating conversation with this very talented entertainer.

Cynthia Lowen - Filmmaker, Producer, Writer

Meet Emmy-nominated filmmaker and award-winning writer, Cynthia Lowen whose work uses the power of story to catalyze meaningful change and confront timely social issues. And to that end, her searing documentary 'Battleground,' penetrates the anti-abortion movement as never seen before. Completed before the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade, the film contains many surprises when it comes to those men, women, and children fighting to make abortion illegal. You won't want to miss our conversation with the passionate, committed award-winning filmmaker.

Zuzanna Surowy - Actress

Raised in a small town in southern Poland, Zuzanna Surowy stars in the powerful film, My Name is Sara, despite having no acting experience and competing against 350 other hopefuls during an open casting call. My Name is Sara tells the true story of Sara Goralniak, who is Jewish and manages to escape after her family was murdered by the Nazis in 1942. She finds refuge in Ukraine, posing as a Christian, and lives with a farmer and his young family. The experience of making My Name is Sara, ignited within Zuzanna a passion for acting. She just completed her first year at the prestigious University of Gdansk film school. This is one 'blow you away' conversation with an engaging, self-assured, talented young woman.

Johanne Killeen - James Beard Award-Winning Chef/Owner of Al Forno Restaurant

Talk about a mouth-watering conversation! You're about to meet Johanne Killeen, who along with her late husband, opened the highly successful and respected Al Forno Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island in 1980. It's credited with pioneering a number of recipes and is the birthplace of grilled pizza - pies flash grilled at high heat. The author of two popular cookbooks, Johanne has also mentored some of the most influential chefs in the business. She travels extensively working with food and wine producers and importers. So much to talk about with this culinary heavyweight.

Deborah Mellen - Founder/CEO, The Impossible Dream

A horrific car accident on Italy's Autostrata in 1989 left newly married Deborah Mellen, whose husband was not injured, with a severe spinal cord injury. Not only did she lose the use of her legs, but many other vital life functions were also impacted as well. Two years later Deborah's husband died, and she moved back to the States - Florida, to be exact. That's where a surgeon turned her on to Shake a Leg - an adaptive sailing and water sport center. Hooked, Deborah bought a wheelchair-accessible catamaran and eventually created the Impossible Dream, a non-profit organization that provides similar experiences for other wheel-bound men and women. This is one riveting, fascinating interview you won't want to miss!