Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Amy Newmark, 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' Editor-in-Chief

Amy Newmark spent 30 years working in finance and telecommunications. In 2008 she made a major career change. That's when Amy and her husband Bill Rouhana, bought the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series from the company's co-founders. Bill's the Chairman and CEO, Amy's the Publisher, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Author. With more than 250 titles - 110 million copies sold in the U.S. and Canada, and 500 million worldwide, Chicken Soup for the Soul is the best selling trade paperback book series of all time. Tune in - Amy's got plenty to share.

Heidi Neumark, Pastor and Author

Can you imagine what it must be like when your family history - the one that defines you, is not 'you' after all - but rather, a long-kept secret that forces you to re-think your entire identity? That's exactly what happened to Lutheran pastor and author Heidi Neumark. She shares her journey into an unimagined past, that brings with it life-changing repercussions for her future. There's no way you'll want to miss this honest, riveting and moving conversation.

Liz Collins, Artist

Liz Collins is a New York City-based artist, textile, fashion designer and teacher who describes herself as process and materials-driven - working to create hard lines, graphic images and vibrating fields with explosions of color. Recognized internationally for her use of machine knitting to create groundbreaking clothing, textiles and installations, Liz has elevated the relevance of yarn and extended the use of textiles beyond the body - moving them into space and architecture. Enjoy this conversation with a very creative woman.

Lillias White, Singer-Dancer-Actress

You're about to meet one helluva woman. Cabaret singer and actress, Lillias White has been described as a "one-of-a-kind performer who combines the sass of a classic blues mama with the skill of a Broadway star." Her Broadway credits include Barnum, Dream Girls, Cats, Chicago, and The Life, which landed her a Tony award. Lillias is also the recipient of a Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award, Obie and a daytime Emmy. She's sung at Carneige Hall, Lincoln Center as well as The Kennedy Center. She's also been on the big and small screen. Sit back and let Lillias entertain you.

Diane Jacobowitz, Executive and Artistic Director at Dancewave

Dancer, choreographer, teacher, and arts administrator, Diane Jacobowitz' career is an impressive and distinguished one. She has taught dance to countless children and adults over 26 years...and ran her own dance company, Diane Jacobowitz Dance Theater for 15. It's her work as Executive and Artistic Director at Dancewave that has been her focus since 1995. She founded the non-profit to bring dance to a broad spectrum of New York City youth - especially those who lack the financial resources to afford pre-professional training. Get to know this upbeat, committed and passionate creative woman.

Robin Kahn, Artist and Curator

Meet feminist artist, curator and author Robin Kahn. Her paintings, drawings, sculptures, have been exhibited internationally since 1990, and can be found in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art, The Smithsonian Museum of Women in the Arts, and the J. Paul Getty Museum, to name just a few. Robin says her artistic practice is committed to expanding the definition of art by exploring new strategies for engaging the public. To that end, she recently co-curated "The Value of Food: Sustaining a Green Planet." The exhibition, installed throughout the vast interior of Manhattan's majestic Cathedral of St. John the Divine, focused on food security, sustainability and accessibility. Her introduction to and relationship with food and art is a fascinating and inspirational one. Tune in and learn why.

Nicole Tung, Award Winning Photo-Journalist

Tahrir Square, the conflicts in Libya, and Syria, the refugee crisis in Europe. Award winning photo-journalist Nicole Tung has shared powerful, poignant, searing images in a career that began shortly after she graduated from college in 2009. Nicole talks openly, honestly, chillingly about her work documenting 'humanity at its worst, its best and everything' in between. No one should miss this conversation.

Shonica Gooden

Shonica Gooden moves through life with talent, style and class. A passionate dancer, singer, actress who grew up in Atlanta, Shonica now calls the Big Apple home - performing on and off-Broadway. Her musical theater credits include the mega hit Hamilton, Bring it On: The Musical and Cinderella.  She's gone on the road with that show and Matilda, the Musical. Shonica's also performed with the American Dance Machine for the 21st Century.  She made her film debut in TED 2 in 2015. Shonica is warm, funny, and simply fabulous! 

Susan Bennett

We may not know her name, but Susan Bennett's been a part of most of our lives for many years. The voice actor and singer has been on hundreds of radio and TV ads for clients that include: McDonald's, Macy's, Goodyear, Papa Johns, Fisher Price and Delta Airlines. But...you probably know her best as the original voice of SIRI! In fact, in October, 2013, she read the Top Ten List on Letterman after revealing herself as the Apple iPhone know it all. Settle in for one helluva fascinating conversation.

Nikki Feirt Atkins

Dancer and doctor. Not your typical career path. But it's the one taken by Nikki Feirt Atkins. Learn how this former professional dancer and Founder/Producing Artistic DIrector of the American Dance Theater for the 21st Century manages two seemingly different (although she doesn't think so) disciplines - art and science. Nikki's story - personal and professional - is a fascinating and empowering one.