Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

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.

Jackie Rivera, Actor and Activist

Jackie Rivera describes herself as a nomadic, theater-maker who acts, directs, stage manages and designs, and as such, is part of The Syndicate. This NYC-based ensemble theater company's mission is to "produce new plays by women, queer and trans artists." It advocates for diversity in how and which stories it tells. Jackie has plenty of stories of her own to tell - unique, quirky and heartening.

Pat Addiss, Theater Producer

Pat Addiss didn't start out wanting to be a theatrical producer. She was busy running the promotion company she founded, but after 30 years, she handed the reins over to her daughter. Then in 2005, after 'learning the tools of the trade,' Pat went on to produce more than 18 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including: Spring Awakening, Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike and Desperate Measures. And...she's never looked back!

Tori Quisling, Clairvoyant

Angels, spirit guides, aura. What exactly does it mean to be clairvoyant? No clue? We'll you're about to find out. Tori Quisling, founder of the New York Center for Clairvoyant Development, has spent the last 30 years as a professional clairvoyant and teacher, offering readings on a myriad of topics including: mediumship, past lives, career, health, relationships, spiritual path choices. Sit back and enjoy this other worldly conversation!

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!

Susan Schulman, Theatre Press Agent

A theatrical press agent for 40 years, Susan Schulman has worked with some of Broadway's most talented folks: Yul Brynner, Zero Mostel, Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Alec Baldwin, Glenn Close. Susan's chronicled her rich and rewarding career in her book, "Backstage Pass to Broadway: True Tales from a Theater Press Agent," published in 2013. Now comes, "Backstage Pass to Broadway: More True Tales." Join us as Susan talks tales and more in this engaging, lively conversation.

Vivian Sessoms Returns, Singer

Making a return engagement is the classy, accomplished, multi-talented singer/songwriter Vivian Sessoms. And once again, we cover a lot of territory. In a beautiful tribute, Vivian shares the impact the iconic Aretha Franklin had and has on her both personally and professionally. And...she also talks about the impetus for her new, powerful double-album LIFE, scheduled to be released on Baby Buddha/Ropeadope November 2nd.

Jill Schlesinger, Revisited - Certified Financial Planner and Business Analyst

Money matters to Jill Schlesinger. And to that end, the Certified Financial Planner covers the economy, markets, investing and whatever else contains a $-sign. An Emmy-nominated Business Analyst for CBS News, she shares her expertise on the network's radio and tv stations across the country. You'll want to make time to listen to Jill's jaw-dropping, but empowering stories about what it's been like to be a woman in a man's world.  

Rhonda Ross, Revisted

This week, we revisit our episode with singer-songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker Rhonda Ross Kendrick. Her parents are music industry icons. Mom is Diana Ross; dad is Motown founder and hit maker Berry Gordy. The oldest of Diana's 5 children, Rhonda's maternal half-sister is actress Tracee Ellis Ross. So...put your 'to do' list on the back burner and spend the next 30+minutes with a very classy, refreshingly honest, creative woman.

Dena Grushkin, Teacher/Philanthropist

You'll want to meet and get to know Special Education teacher Dena Grushkin, who recently retired after 35 years in the classroom. However, a 2004 trip to Nigeria turned out to be a seminal moment in her life, opening her eyes to the reality of children living and attending school under the most challenging circumstances. She managed to raise $5,000 from friends, colleagues and strangers for books and other supplies. That visit prompted Dena to create the Nigerian School Project, a nonprofit educational organization that supports teachers and students. In 2009 her organization built a junior secondary school; 5 years later a senior secondary was completed, both on the river community of Tomaro Island. This June marked the first graduation class. This is a conversation you can't afford to miss!