Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Jessica Thompson, Filmmaker

Meet Australian-born film editor, writer, director, producer Jessica Thompson, who moved to New York City in 2010 and where she co-founded Stedfast Productions, a collective of visual storytellers who use imagery to entertain, provoke thought and explore the human condition. Jessica, who has several short films under her belt, recently made her feature writing and directing debut with "Light of The Moon." It premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and won the audience award for Best Narrative Feature. It tells the story of Bonnie, a young, successful Latina architect who is sexually assault walking home after spending the evening with friends at a bar in Brooklyn. There's plenty to talk about with yet another, creative, accomplished, engaging woman.

Shawnna Thibodeau, Stuntwoman

Jumping off buildings, setting herself on fire, falling down a flight a stairs - all in a days work for stuntwoman Shawnna Thibodeau. Her list of film and tv credits is mind numbing and includes: "X-Men," "War of the Worlds," "Spiderman 3," "The Borne Ultimatum," "Ugly Betty," "Law and Order" and "Oz." Shawnna's been a stunt double for Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Uma Thurman and Carrie Mulligan. There's a lots to talk about with this daredevil who's also a wife and mother of 2 young children.

Cynthia Hill, Television and Film Producer

Award-winning director Cynthia Hill's newest documentary series is the 8-part "Road to Race Day," which offers a behind the scenes look at the world of NASCAR racing told through the people who make it happen. Cynthia's made it happen with her films that focus on critical but often overlooked stories of the American South...and beyond. Perhaps you're familiar with "A Chef's Life," her first tv series which has been broadcast on PBS since 2013. It won both a Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award. There's plenty too talk about with this born and bred North Carolinian who also happens to be....a pharmacist!

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.

Rebecca Harrell Tickell, Actress/Producer

Rebecca Harrell Tickell's acting career began at a very young age. She went from performing in school plays in Vermont to New York, where at the tender of age of 9, she got a starring role in the Christmas movie classic Prancer. It was on to L.A. and more film and tv roles. In 2007 she moved from acting to pursue her dream of combining environmental activism, filmmaking and production. She and her future husband Josh Tickell joined forces and through their company Green Planet Productions, have made several documentaries that focus on social causes. We cover a lot of ground in our conversation with this creative, committed, passionate woman.

Lois Robbins, Actress

Lois Robbins is one busy actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles on the daytime soap operas - One Life to Live, Loving, Ryan's Hope, and All My Children. She has also guest starred on Sex and The City, Law and Order, Kingpin and Once and Again. Lois' film credits include Blowtorch, Juvie, and Ithaca, directed by and starring Meg Ryan. Then there's theater. She has starred in a pair of world premier musicals - My History of Marriage and A Time for Love. Lois has also written a one-act play - L.O.V.E.R - Baring it All. And if all that isn't enough, she's writing a novel. Listen in as Lois shares talks about her varied and accomplished acting career.

Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum, Filmmakers

Thanks to filmmakers Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Olelbaum, the world can finally meet and get to know Gertrude Bell, considered the most powerful woman in the British Empire in her day. "Letters from Baghdad," their feature documentary, details how this extraordinary woman helped shape the modern Middle East following World War I. In spite of being called the 'female' Lawrence of Arabia, Bell has been virtually written out of its history...until now. There's lots to learn from this fascinating conversation.

Susan Johnson, Filmmaker

For Susan Johnson it's all about entertainment. After a successful career as a music video director, she decided to move over to movies, becoming an independent producer. Her first produced feature, Mean Creek premiered at Sundance and Cannes in 2004 and was released by Paramount Pictures and Focus Features. A total of 10 films followed, but for Susan, the time had come to 'go' behind the camera. She made her feature directorial debut with Carrie Pilby. Based on a best selling young adult novel, it premiered at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival. Susan talks openly and honestly about her career and what it's like being a woman in a man's world.

Betty Buckley, Entertainer

Betty Buckley in a word - omigod! The Tony award-winning Broadway legend, whose stage, screen, television and concert career has spanned more than 5 decades, talks about life in the limelight and away from the maddening crowd at her Texas retreat. You won't want to miss our conversation with the woman dubbed "The Voice of Broadway."

Tina Chen, Actress

The credits that follow actress Tina Chen's name are long and varied. A Golden Globe, Emmy and Drama Desk Award nominee, she's been featured on the big and small screens and on stage. She's also a director, producer and composer and is currently working on a musical. There's more. Tina's a lecturer. Heroes of History: Legacy of My Chinese Family chronicles 3 generations of her mother's family and their contributions to the history of China. Needless to say, we cover a lot of ground during our conversation.