Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Linden Thatcher Reed - Educator, Athlete

Meet Linden Reed, Behavior Specialist and....Strongwoman Athlete! She's competed in more than 20 competitions, 6 at the national level. She's also represented the US as a Middleweight at the Arnold (as in Schwarzenegger) from 2016-2019 and at the Official Strongman Games in 2020. Join us as Linden shares her fitness journey from Bikram yoga to Crossfit to serious weight training.

Ferne Pearlstein is Back - Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor

She's baaack! And we're delighted to share another conversation with the very creative and accomplished Ferne Pearlstein. While we catch up on Ferne's latest projects, we also focus on her 2016 feature film, THE LAST LAUGH, which is all about finding humor in a crisis seen through the lens of the Holocaust. As we try to deal with and wrap our heads around the COVID-19 nightmare, many have been connecting to THE LAST LAUGH, to help us cope with this crisis and, for that matter, this new normal. There's lots to talk about in this open, frank, and yes, upbeat conversation.

Nesa Azimi - Filmmaker

The power of documentaries to educate, expose, inspire and empower is certainly not lost on filmmaker Nesa Azimi. She has worked on more than a dozen such films while on staff as a producer at Rain Media/PBS Frontline, Al Jazeera America, National Geographic and the Cine Institute of Haiti. DRIVER, Nesa's latest project, follows the community of women who work as long-haul truckers and the obstacles/challenges they routinely encounter. Join us as we go 'behind the scenes' with yet another creative woman.

Sara Gould - Feminist Leader, Social Justice Activist, Philanthropist

Simply put, Sara Gould is a powerhouse! A committed, tireless advocate for social justice, Sara's a past President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women. She's also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Law Center. Sara co-founded and co-directed the Steinem Initiative at Smith College, a pilot program that focuses on using women's and gender history as an organizing tool to empower current social justice movements. There's more! So join us for one inspiring conversation!

Nora McInerny - Author, Humorist, Podcast Host

Here comes another accomplished, creative, woman. Nora McInerny is an author, humorist, podcast host, founder of the non-profit, Still Kickin'. Her most recent novel, BAD MOMS, is based on the 2016 blockbuster movie of the same. Her memoirs, IT'S OKAY TO LAUGH and NO HAPPY ENDINGS, chronicle 2014, when in the span of just 6 weeks, she had a miscarriage, her father died of cancer and her husband succumbed to a brain tumor. Plenty to talk about??? You bet!

Claudia Coenen - Grief Counselor, Author, Teacher

In these unprecedented times, who better to have a conversation with then a Certified Grief Counselor? Claudia Coenen, who has a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology, is the author of 2 books:  "The Creative Toolkit for Working with Grief and  Bereavement: A Practitioner's Guide" and - "Shattered by Grief: Picking up the Pieces to Become Whole Again." Claudia has also developed Karuna Cards, which provide creative ways to deal with grief and difficult life decisions. This is truly a conversation that none of us can afford to miss.

Cait Cortelyou - Producer & Star of ASK FOR JANE

We know you're going to enjoy 'meeting' actress Cait Cortelyou, star of ASK FOR JANE, who also happens to be the creator and producer of this award-winning, indie movie. It's based on the true story of an underground abortion network that began on the campus of the University of Chicago in the 1960s. On the small screen, Cait made her debut in the Emmy Award-winning series "The Knick," and has appeared on the CBS hit "Bull." She was also part of the cast of the Off-Broadway's "Sleep No More," and is a member of the Leadership team of The Shelter, a long-running indie theater company in New York City.

Luchina Fisher - Writer, Director, Producer

Award-winning writer, director, producer - all three apply to Luchina Fisher.  She began her career as a journalist, has co-authored and ghost-written several books, has written and produced several national televised documentaries, and the critically acclaimed feature documentary, BIRTHRIGHT: A WAR STORY.  Luchina is also directing, MAMA GLORIA. It tells the story of a 74 year old transgender woman who started a charm school for homeless transgender youth.  Join us for an emotional, honest, powerful conversation with this talented woman.

June Millington - Musician, Singer, Composer, Co-founder of Institute for the Musical Arts

Talk about a creative woman! June Millington, who Guitar Play Magazine called "one of the hottest female guitarists in the industry," has been a force in the music world since the 60s. Her band Fanny, was one of the first all women's rock bands to be signed to a major label (Reprise). Fanny played with such major artists as Chicago, BB King, the Kinks, Ike & Tina Turner to name just a few - showing that women could do more than just sing - they could write and play passionate rock 'n' roll. We cover a lot of history - in this wide-ranging, fascinating conversation!

Colleen Thomas, Choreographer/Dancer/Performance Artist/Teacher

For Colleen Thomas it's all about movement and communication. A New York-based choreographer and performance artist, her company Colleen Thomas Dance has presented its work in Hong Kong, Estonia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Russia and of course New York City. Colleen, whose work often focuses on women and human perception and perspective, is also a Full Professor of Professional Practice and Manhattan's Barnard College.