Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Nam Holtz, Documentary Filmmaker

Nam Holtz was abandoned at birth in her native Korea, and at six months was adopted by a loving American family. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs. It was clear Nam had talent - after graduating college with a BFA in dance, she was cast in the Broadway production of The King and I, and toured the U.S. in Miss Saigon and Flower Drum Song. She's also acted in film and tv. Growing up, Nam never really thought about "her past." But that changed when her older sister gave birth. It became the catalyst for Nam to travel to Korea, to try and find her biological parents and learn all she could about where she was born. That journey is chronicled in "Found in Korea,." the film she, wrote, directed and produced. She talks about that and lots more in this engaging, honest, personal conversation.

Beth Prevor, Executive Director of Hands On

You're about to meet and get to know Beth Prevor, Co-founder and Executive DIrector of Hands On. For the past 30 years, this service organization has been advocating for access to the cultural arts for members of the Deaf community and audiences with disabilities. She has produced more than 500 sign-interpreted productions at some of New York's most prestigious theaters and has led workshops on accessibility and the arts for organizations throughout the U.S. Beth, by the way, is the 2015 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Center's Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award.

Aliza Sherman, Entrepreneur, Activist and Author

Entrepreneur, visionary, activist, author...all describe Aliza Sherman. In 1995 she founded Cybergrrl, the first full-service, female-owned web company and the first global internet networking organization for women. Newsweek noticed and named Aliza one of the Top People Who Matter Most on the Internet. She's currently the CEO of Ellementa, a global women's cannabis wellness network. Her work has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC. And....she's the author of 12 books. Needless to say, we cover a lot of ground in our conversation with this fascinating, committed, accomplished woman!

Rachel Carey, Writer/Playwright/Director

Rachel Carey is a filmmaker, author and playwright. "Ask for Jane," her first feature as writer/director, is based on the true story of an underground abortion network in Chicago. From 1969 until 1973 when Roe v Wade was passed, a collective of college students helped more than 11,000 women get safe, illegal abortions. Rachel's first full-length play, "Phases" was nominated for Best Play and a pair of acting awards at the 2012 Thespis Festival. Her debut novel, "Debt" was published in 2013. Rachel has also taught at several colleges and universities, including Yale, her alma mater.

Deb Brandon, Textile Arists/Author

Deb Brandon's career is an eclectic one to say the least. Born in England, raised there, Israel and Switzerland, she lives in Pittsburgh and is a math professor at Carnegie Mellon University, which is where she earned her PhD. Deb's a respected textile artist whose book, "Threads Around the World" describes how artisans from 25 diverse cultures create traditional fiber arts using centuries old methods. Deb is also a brain injury survivor who underwent 3 surgeries in as many weeks. She kept a diary, which eventually evolved into a book: "But My Brain Had Other Ideas: A Memoir or Recovery from Brain Surgery." We cover a lot of ground in this open, honest, life affirming conversation.

Thursday Williams, Student Activist

Watch out world - here comes Thursday Williams! She might be 17, but Thursday has an impressive list of credits to her name. She's participated in a variety of debates at Brooklyn Law School and NYU; completed a judicial internship through the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, is president of her high school, is an explorer and member of the Youth Community Council for the 103rd Police Precinct in Queens. And although she's not a professional actress, Thursday was a cast as a debater in the highly acclaimed, successful Off-Broadway play, What "The Constitution Means to Me." Clearly, Thursday can hold her own any day of the week!

Pearl Gluck, Filmmaker

Pearl Gluck has stories to tell, including her own. As a filmmaker she's been doing so for 20 years. Pearl, who grew up in the insular, cloistered tight-knit Hasidic community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, left to attend college. She's written, directed several documentaries and award winning short films. And now, "The Turn Out," Pearl's first full-length feature which explores sex trafficking at rural truck stops. Pearl shares her personal and professional journeys in this open, honest, heart-warming conversation.

Shiva Ahmadi, Artist

"It's impossible to be Iranian and not political." Artist Shiva Ahmadi shares her personal story of growing up in Tehran during the Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. She talks openly about leaving her parents to come to the States, where she has lived and worked since 2003. This is a riveting, captivating and emotional conversation you won't want to miss.

Nell Painter, Scholar/Historian/Author/Artist

Meet award winning scholar, historian, author, artist Nell Painter, the Edwards Professor of American History, Emerita at Princeton University. Her acclaimed works of history include, "Standing at Armageddon," "Sojourner Truth, "and the New York Times bestseller, "The History of White People." But her most recent book is all about second chapters. Old in "Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over," chronicles Nell's return to the classroom as an undergrad to study painting, following her retirement from Princeton. Needless to say, we cover a lot of territory in this conversation with such an accomplished, fascinating, creative woman.

Molly Carr, Violist

Molly Carr might be a millennial, but boy has she got some resume! She's a professional violist, chamber musician, educator and the founder/director of Project: Music Heals Us. Created in 2014, this non-profit provides free, live musical performances in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, homeless shelters and refugee camps. We guarantee you'll be inspired and awed by this incredibly talented, creative woman!