Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Michelle Walshe, Filmmaker - Revisited

Michelle Walshe finds herself in a unique category - one of the very few female filmmakers to direct a sports documentary. And what a documentary it is. "Chasing Great," follows 34 year old Richie McCaw, considered by many to be THE best rugby player ever, through his final season as captain of the All Blacks. "Chasing Great" happens to be the highest grossing documentary in New Zealand history and one of the top 100 highest grossing documentaries of all time. Michelle and her husband also happen to be the co-founders of the production company, Augusto. They're expanding their reach to include the U.S. - opening an office in New York City. In a word, Michelle is a dynamo!

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!

Dori Berinstein, Theater and Film Producer

Sue Thomson, Filmmaker

Direct from Australia - filmmaker Sue Thomson. She began her professional career working on Public Television in Melbourne and then went out on her own, writing and directing several documentaries. The most recent - THE COMING BACK OUT BALL. This film follows a group of older LGBTI folks who are invited to attend a ball celebrating age, gender and sexuality identity. It is a heart-warming, honest and moving look at their lives. Join us for a conversation with this creative woman from "Down Under."

Abby Epstein, Director/Producer

Abby Epstein's career has been a rich and rewarding one. It began in 1992 in Chicago when she formed her own theatrical company. She directed several plays there before moving to New York to work on "Rent" and "The Vagina Monologues." Then in 2004 she moved into film and 3 years later formed a partnership with Rikki Lake. They've made several documentaries together including the award-winning, "The Business of Being Born." Their latest collaboration - "Weed The People." It explores the use of cannabis for children diagnosed with cancer. Lots to talk about with this accomplished socially conscious and creative woman.

Polly Draper, Actress/Director/Writer

Polly Draper does it all. She's an awarding-winning actress, writer, producer and director. Probably best known to fans as Ellyn Warren in the 80's tv hit Thirtysomething, Polly was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1998 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a drama series. Her latest project: STELLA'S LAST WEEKEND. She wrote, directed, and stars in the movie, which also features her 2 sons, Nat and Alex Wolff. We talk about the personal and professional in this open, honest, conversation with yet another accomplished, creative woman.

Paula Eiselt, Filmmaker

You're about to meet and get to know another female filmmaker. Paula Eiselt's work has been supported by the Independent Television Service, the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and the New York State Council on the Arts. The recently released "93Queen" marks Paula's feature directorial debut. It tells the story of a group of Hasidic women as they overlook and overcome massive obstacles to form the first all-female ambulance corps in New York City. Their goal is to provide dignified, emergency medical services to the women and girls in this very religious community. "93Queen" won the inaugural first look Pitch Prize at the 2017 Hot Docs Forum.

Rachel Dretzin, Filmmaker

Meet Emmy award winning director Rachel Dretzin (PBS' Frontline), who has been producing and directing documentaries since 1994. Rachel, along with her husband, are the founders of Ark Media, a Brooklyn-based documentary production company. "Far From the Tree," Rachel's first feature documentary, is based on the New York Times best seller by Andrew Solomon. It explores the difficulties and challenges of raising a child who has Downs syndrome, dwarfism, autism, deafness, mental illness, is a child prodigy, or are transgender. The power of documentaries to educate, inform, empower is a focus of this fascinating, important and honest conversation with this committed, creative, accomplished woman.

Debra Granik, Award Winning Filmmaker

Acclaimed filmmaker Debra Granik's movies focus on the disenfranchised, marginalized and compromised as is evidenced by the powerful "Winter's Bone," which launched the career of Jennifer Lawrence and was nominated for 4 Academy Awards. Her latest, "Leave No Trace," tells the story of a father and his teenaged daughter who live off the grid in a nature reserve outside Portland, Oregon. We cover a lot of ground in this open, honest, fascinating conversation with a creative woman whose career has focused on exceptional people - both real and fictional.

Jennifer Baumgardner Returns

Past guest Jennifer Baumgardner's back and for good reason. The feminist activist, journalist, author and former publisher of The Feminist Press has launched a new venture. She's the founder of Dottir Press, an independent publishing house. Dottir is Icelandic for daughter and speaks to its mission of passing down and building upon feminist intellectual and creative legacies to fill the void in our history and present culture through storytelling in all forms and for all ages. Join us for yet another important and powerful conversation.