Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

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!

Dawn Eshelman, Museum Programmer

Manhattan's Rubin Museum of Art gives new meaning to "Night at the Museum." Visitors have Dawn Eshelman to thank for that! As Head of Programs she creates interactive events that explore over-arching ideas in art. They include lectures, movie screenings, live music dance, demonstrations and...sleep-overs! It's Dawn who came up with the Rubin Museum's Dream Over Program. There's plenty to talk about in this behind-the-scenes look at one of New York City's premier museums that is dedicated to the collection, display and preservation of the art and cultures of the Himalayas.

Dr. Arabia Mollette

If anyone epitomizes grit, determination and heart it's Dr. Arabia Mollette.  Even though she always wanted to be a doctor, achieving that goal was going to be no easy feat for a child from a broken home, surrounded by crime, drugs, alcohol and despair. But she sure as hell did!  There's no way you can afford to miss the inspiring, life-affirming, riveting story of Dr. Arabia Mollette.

Georgiana Uhlyarik, Museum Curator

Originally from Romania, Georgiana Uhlyarik and her parents left when she was a teenager. They spent a year in Israel before moving to Toronto where Georgiana received an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Art History from York University. She is Associate Curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Toronto, home to more than 90,000 works of art. Georgiana's had numerous curatorial collaborations and participated in an international research network exploring feminism and curating. We cover a lot of ground in this engaging and illuminating conversation.

Civia Tamarkin

In her decades long career as an award-winning investigative journalist, former television executive and documentary filmmaker, much of Civia Tamarkin's focus has been on criminal and social justice. She's covered stories all around the world, including the fall of Vietnam. Her latest project is "Birthright: A War Story." This riveting, feature length documentary tells the story of "how women have become collateral damage in the aggressive campaign to take control of reproductive health care and to allow states, courts and religious doctrine to govern whether, when and how women will bear children." This is yet another conversation you can't afford to miss.

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.

Meklit Hadero, Singer/Songwriter

Meklit Hadero was just 2 when she, her two older sisters and parents fled to the U.S. from Ethiopia to escape the violence that followed the country's 1974 revolution. They settled in Iowa before moving to Brooklyn, New York where Meklit sang in choirs and was introduced to the music of Billie Holiday. She continued singing while attending Yale University, earning a degree in political science. But music remained an important part of her life. Meklit eventually settled in San Francisco, developing and performing her own sound - a combination of jazz, folk and East African influences; what she describes as, "music coming from in-between spaces." You can't afford to miss this conversation with the talented, passionate, committed artist and activist, MeklitHardero.

Susan Fisher Sterling, Director of The National Museum of Women in the Arts - Revisited

This week we revisit our conversation with Susan Fisher Sterling. The National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, D.C. is the only major museum dedicated solely to celebrating the creative contributions of women. Founded in 1987, NMWA not only champions women artists, it also directly addresses the gender imbalance in presenting art worldwide. Susan Fisher Sterling has been with the NMWA since 1988 when she was hired as an associate curator. In 2008, she was named Director. Susan has built her career and the stature of the museum around the message of equity for women through the example of excellence in the arts. Tune in as she shares what that's been like and what's in store as NMWA prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

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.

Erin McKeown, Singer-Songwriter

Talk about creativity! Singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer Erin McKeown is known as an artist who dispenses with stylistic boundaries. Her music includes pop, swing, rock, folk, electronic. Erin, who’s performed here, there and everywhere has released 9 studio albums. She has also worked closely with a range of non-profits focusing on passion for media justice and immigration reform. Here’s yet another ‘not to be missed’ conversation.