Motherhood in Hollywood

As I sit here, days away from an epic milestone of being married for 20 years, I have to pinch myself. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Chris Brooker. After being married for 20 years, people ask me all the time how we “make it work” or “what’s your secret” and I usually just give the same response: respect, laughter and a lot prayer.  We love each other very much but as we’ve learned over our 20+ year relationship, love alone isn’t enough. Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn. You have to add respect to that. Ultimately, as cheesy as it sounds, Chris is my best friend. He knows how I feel about everything, and then how I REALLY feel about everything. He knows my heart, good and bad and all the mistakes I’ve made, and loves me anyway. And lest you think I’m putting him on a pedestal, he’ll be the first to tell you I also know how he REALLY feels about everything, good and bad. We are symbiotic about our goals, and values. All of that being said, we don’t agree on everything. We have lively debates, get annoyed with each other, and frustrated just like everyone else. But the one thing that remains, is our respect. You wouldn’t treat your best friend with disrespect so why would you do that with your spouse? We also are humble enough to know when we need to apologize. I have no problem telling Chris I’m sorry if I’ve hurt his feelings and he feels the same way. Chris and Heather Brooker at Rancho Bernardo Inn. We are as in love as we were 20 years ago, but it’s a deeper, more mature love. And I can’t wait to honor our commitment to each other on a beach in Maui. We’re planning an intimate vow renewal on the beach and I will probably cry like a baby. But to be fair, so will Chris. Channing is going to be our flower girl and she is so excited! Make sure you follow along on my Instagram and TikTok to see all of the adventures we have planned. We are staying at the newly renovated Westin Maui Resort and Spa and I can’t wait to show you all around this beautiful property. We also breakdown the 2021 Oscar nominees and why we think ratings are declining. Tell us if you agree! Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

I was so excited to talk to Lacy Camp and her daughter Darby Camp about their acting careers! This mother daughter duo are teaming with talent. So much so, they are both starring in the new UPTV movie “When We Last Spoke.” Darby plays a younger version of the character her mom plays named Juliet. “When We Last Spoke” airs April 4 on UPTV. “When We Last Spoke” is set in 1967. Two rambunctious sisters are abandoned and raised by doting grandparents and one wacky great-grandmother in the fictional southern town of Fireside. Humor, heartbreak and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship and forgiveness.​ Lacy has been on a ton of projects like “Vice Principals,” “Outcast” and “Red Band Society.” She tells me her daughter showed a natural talent for acting at a young age. And at 13, she’s got a resume most adults would dream of. She starred as Reese Witherspoon’s daughter in “Big Little Lies” when she was just 9. And you’ll recognize her from “The Christmas Chronicles” movies and the upcoming “Clifford the Big Red Dog” movie where she plays Emily Elizabeth. I loved hearing how supportive Lacy is of Darby’s career and how well they work together. Lacy and Darby Camp It was also interesting to hear the perspective of working actors that doesn’t live in NYC or Los Angeles. The Camps live in North Carolina where they enjoy a quiet, non-Hollywood life (and I imagine it’s also much cheaper!) We talked about how they navigate auditions, and working on set. It was very inspiring to hear that it is possible to be successful in this business without living in the two most expensive cities. Take a minute to listen to their story and don’t forget to watch them in “When We Last Spoke” April 4th on UPTV! “When We Last Spoke” was filmed on location in Toccoa, Georgia. The movie was adapted from the book written by Executive Producer, Marci Henna.  It was directed by Joanne Hock (“The Ultimate Legacy,” “Purple Dreams”) and produced by Rick Eldridge (“The Ultimate Gift,” “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius”) and Fred Miller (“For All Mankind,” “Angles Sing”).  The film stars Corbin Bernsen (“Major League,” “L.A. Law”), Melissa Gilbert (“Little House on the Prairie”), Chandler Head (“The Glass Castle,” “Fosse/Verdon”), Darby Camp, (“Big Little Lies,” “The Christmas Chronicles”) and Academy Award winner, Cloris Leachman (“The Last Picture Show,” “Young Frankenstein”).

You know I love a good documentary! Two new documentaries have the Internet buzzing this week and we need to talk about them. The first is “Fake Famous,” a documentary from former New York Times and Vanity Fair reporter Nick Bilton. It follows three people who claim to want to be famous, at any cost and explores how easy it is to create fame on platforms like Instagram. Courtesy: FX/The New York Post The second documentary called “Framing Britney Spears” was trending all weekend on Twitter. The doc was produced by The New York Post and is available on FX via Hulu. It aims to delve into the mystery surrounding pop star Britney Spears and why she has been under a conservatorship overseen by her father for the past 12 years. She’s basically dropped out of the spotlight in the last few years, except for the occasional erratic social media post of her dancing. And fans who are concerned for her well-being have started the #FreeBritney movement in an effort to get her out from under her father’s conservatorship. Chris joins me this week to talk about what these documentaries got right, and what they got wrong. And in the case of “Fake Famous” there is a lot of things they got right when it comes to people buying followers, likes and bot comments. But the film also never gets the perspective of anyone working on social media at Instagram or any other social platform. The movie mostly focuses on Instagram and how easy it is to fake your following. In fact, the main star of the film ends up getting signed by a big agency and books acting work based off of her fake following. But it also never offers a resolution to this obvious flaw in the social media system. Where is the oversight? Who is making sure these fake influencers are held accountable and why are brands so willing to give them money and product just for a post on the gram? Courtesy: HBO I have been called an influencer myself and have first hand knowledge of what it looks like to be “famous” on the internet. I’ve always hated the term “influencer” but it’s now an industry standard term so I gotta roll with it. I don’t feel like I have the ability to influence anyone to do something they don’t want to do. But I am a content creator and I love sharing about my life online, which I hope resonates with people. I see the good side, and dark side of “influencing” and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. As for “Framing Britney Spears” there’s a ton to dissect in this one. Britney rose to fame when she was very young. Then had several very public heartbreaks, and public meltdowns before her father took control of her finances and well-being. This film explores the years leading up to that, and what has happened since. Most notable, her recent request to regain control of her finances was denied with little to no explanation. Chris and I decided to try something new this week! We recorded the show live on the Clubhouse app where listeners could interact and join in the conversation with us. It was really fun! My friend and Bravo TV star Meghan Conroy-Resich joined us as a moderator and jumped right into the conversation. If you haven’t heard of the Clubhouse app yet it’s the hottest new app where people are trying to make their mark. It’s audio only and listeners can request to join whatever conversation is going on and ask questions or speak their mind. I’ve really been enjoying it so make sure you follow me and engage with us on future episodes!

Listen, we’ve all got a lot on our plates these days. Between the pandemic, the insurrection, and a crumbling economy, who really has time to worry about the Golden Globe or the SAG Awards noms? Well, Hollywood does! Every year without fail, the stars drag out their botoxed butts to get their accolades and this year will be no exception. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 SAG Awards. But this year will look difference because the nominations will be virtual as will most of the awards shows. The Academy Awards still haven’t confirmed whether they are having an in-person event but they have until April to decide. So for now, I’ll be covering the celebrations from my couch. Which should be a celebration in itself!  I dread major awards shows. As a multimedia journalist, I do everything on my own. I shoot, write, edit and produce my own content for work so being able to work from home makes my job exponentially easier. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Academy Awards. And although I do love getting that awesome shot in front of the Oscars sign, I spend the next 5 hours standing shoulder to shoulder with press from around the world all vying for a soundbite from whatever stars will stop and talk to us. Most of them don’t, to be honest. Either their publicists tell them to only talk to the big outlets, or they just don’t want to stop. But I stand there without fail, calling their names in the hopes they will come over and give me a quick interview that will be outdated as soon as their category is awarded. It’s exhausting and somewhat humiliating to be a press member on the red carpet, especially if you’re with a small outlet. Don’t get me wrong, KNBC isn’t small but it’s an affiliate. And when I say bigger outlets I mean “Access Hollywood,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra.” Those are big national outlets who only cover entertainment instead of covering 59 minutes of hard news, than 1 minute of entertainment which is what we do. I totally get why they prioritize the way they do but it still makes my job more challenging than it should be. Heather Brooker on the red carpet for the 2020 Golden Globes. Now after all that, do you even care about who gets nominated? My guess is most people don’t. We have so many things to give our attention to right now that involve life and death situations for millions of Americans. And honestly,  maybe these awards shows will be a welcome distraction for everyone who has been stuck at home watching hours of film and television. But regardless, I will be covering this with my usual joy and excitement because as much of a grind as it is on the red carpet, I do still love show business. I love the pomp and circumstance and the idea that someday even a lowly reporter/actor like myself could be up on that stage accepting an award. And yes, I’ll probably try some botox just so I fit in.  

Want to know what to watch in 2021? We have some tips! Listen, 2020 was a doozy of a year to say the least. And just when we thought 2021 could save us all, a bunch of nuts stormed our Capitol and people died. If that’s how this year is going so far, I don’t have a lot of hope for the rest of the year. So I invited Chris Brooker to chat with me about politics, the pandemic and what we can look forward to in 2021. Like what to watch on TV! Chris and Heather Brooker at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Chris is my favorite guest for many reasons, but mostly because he’s my husband. We love talking about movies and TV almost as much as we love watching them. We talk about what happened this week in Washington as well as what we think will play out over the next few weeks in politics and with the pandemic. But we’re also looking to the entertainment world to help us escape from the stressful situation our country is in. “Wonder Woman 1984” streams on HBO Max. Did you watch “Wonder Woman 1984?” We both agree that this movie had way too much plot and not enough character development. They had so many plates spinning in this movie that it didn’t leave much time for Wonder Woman to develop a true rivalry between one of her biggest opponents, Cheetah. The movie was bloated and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense in some places. But we were still glad to see Wonder Woman back on screen and after the year we had, it was a welcome end to 2020. “The Mandalorian” streams on Disney+. Another welcome end that we, along with most other nerds, loved. “The Mandalorian” ended season 2 with a bang. Chris says the return of Luke Skywalker was the kind of fan service that fans love, rather than the fan service that feels like pandering. What’s the difference? I think it depends on whether or not they like the players involved. People seem to really love Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni so at this point they can do no wrong in the eyes of “Star Wars” fans. Cole Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone,” streaming now on Peacock. Have you seen “Yellowstone?” Apparently I’m late to the party on this one. It’s a great show and I’ve been binge-watching in this week. At first I thought it was just another western drama. But it’s more like a mafia version of a western. Think “The Godfather” meets “Succession” but set on a ranch in Montana and you’d have “Yellowstone.” It’s violent, graphic and utterly entertaining. I told my best friend Amy that I finally started watching it and the first thing she said was, “How hot is Rip?” Very. Very hot. Definitely worth adding this show to your binge list if you need something new. And of course Chris and I talk about our pet names for each other and why we should start a new podcast from our couch where we do nothing but talk about movies and TV shows. Stay tuned to see if we ever get up off the couch to actually make that happen. Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!

I am embarrassed to admit that I am one of those weirdos that has never seen “High School Musical.” That is until I saw the most amazing woman on TikTok just slaaayyying her dance moves. I did the completely normal thing and Googled her and found out that KayCee Stroh played Martha Cox in all of the “High School Musical” movies. So I watched the movies and now feel completely qualified to comment on this pop culture phenomenon that millions of other people have known about for decades. I’m old, people. Cut me some slack! KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox in ‘High School Musical’ I had the best time talking to KayCee about her unique audition for HSM and the inspiring thing choreographer Kenny Ortega said to her that stays with her to this day. We talked about what’s it like to be plus size woman in Hollywood, and the crazy things people have said to her about her weight. Seriously, what IS wrong with people? KayCee also talks about her life long love of dance and if her little girls, Zetta and Lettie caught the dance bug. HOLLYWOOD – MAY 13: (L-R) Actors Kaycee Stroh, Monique Coleman, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Zac Efron and Lucas Grabeel attend the after party for the DVD launch of “High School Musical” on May 13, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) KayCee currently lives in Utah with her husband and 2 girls and after our conversation I was really wishing she lived in LA. I know we would have impromptu dance parties with our girls and sneak out for coffee dates on the regular. For now, I’ll just continue to be her biggest fan on TikTok (we are both addicted) and look forward to her next visit to LA. You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!  You can follow KayCee on TikTok and Instagram to dancing along with her!

I have a slight obsession with the Salton Sea area. There’s something so fascinating to me about this area that was once the playground for the rich and famous and is now in ruins. Through a series of ecological disasters and land mismanagement, this part of the Coachella Valley is desolate, and facing another ecological crisis. The Salton Sea is drying up and the toxic dust that’s left behind will leave a devastating impact on the surrounding communities, even reaching as far as Los Angeles and San Diego. Channing and I visited the Salton Sea in July 2020 This impending disaster and the history of the area is explored in a new documentary called “Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea.” I spoke with writer/director Greg Bassinian who tells me why he wanted to tell this story and raise awareness for what’s happening in this community. And before you write it off as a Southern California problem, the documentary explains how the impact is as far reaching as the federal government. “Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea” documentary is available now. You can read more about it on NBCLA and I highly encourage you to watch this film. It’s a heartbreaking look at time gone by, and peek into a very costly ecological disaster that’s looming over the state of California. The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and YouTube. Go to miracleinthedesert.com for more information and a list of places you can watch.

Chris Brooker is back and we’re diving into our favorite topics: TV, and our kid! With so much content to watch lately it can be overwhelming to choose something you like. We have some recommendations like “The Boys” on Amazon Prime Video, “Teenage Bounty Hunters” on Netflix, and Cobra Kai on Netflix just to name a few. We are also opening up about what’s like to start distance learning. Chan has been back in school for about 2 weeks and it’s as sad as we thought it would be. She sits in front of her computer for 6 hours a day bouncing from Zoom meetings to independent study. She has almost no interaction with the other kids in class. This has been so hard to watch because Chan is such a social kid. She misses her friends so much and they aren’t even in her class this year. She’s in a new class with none of the friends she made in Kinder or 1st grade and no way to socialize to make new friends. A Refined Review of The Papernow Academic Writing Service provides a detailed and balanced perspective on Papernow’s services. The writer effectively dissects the company’s pricing system, types of services, payment options, and guarantees. While commending the professionalism of Papernow’s writers and their compensation policy, the review also highlights significant downsides, such as the website’s poor navigation, high pricing, and limited payment options. Overall, this text is a thorough examination, offering readers comprehensive insights to aid their decision-making process about using Papernow’s services. I realize we aren’t the only people in this position. Millions of parents around the U.S. are juggling work and school at home, trying to figure out how to keep their kids safe and maintain their education. All I know is that I would rather have her setback a few months in school than sick, or worse, dead. It helps to put things in perspective and Chris and I dive into why it’s important to us to keep her at home for now instead of in the classroom. Thanks for listening to this episode and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!    

I’ve been working in the media for more than 20 years. Even though that pretty much reveals how old I really am, it’s something I’m very proud to tell people. I’m a journalist who started out as a reporter in the small market of St. Joseph, MO. I was a “one-man-band” meaning, I carried all of my own equipment, shot and edited my own video and wrote all my own stories. Cut to 20 years later, and as the first ever digital entertainment reporter at NBC Los Angeles, not much has changed. I still do all of those things, but now I have the added element of posting all my stories on social media. It’s a lot of work but I really love it! Becky Brooks shares that same passion for media. She is the executive director of the The Alliance for Women in Media, including journalism, digital, film and television. She says their mission is to connect, recognize and inspire women across the media industry. They do that through annual events, an interview series, the AWM Foundation, and the annual Gracie Awards, named after Gracie Allen, a media pioneer who embodied the character of the awards. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21, 2019: AWMF Board Members at the 44th Annual Gracies Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation on May 21, 2019 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The Gracies, as they’ve become known, recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. They also acknowledge the individuals who have made inspirational contributions to the industry. There’s something so beautiful about women supporting women especially in this field. Media, film and television can be competitive and it’s wonderful to see an organization who’s goal is to encourage and lift up other women. If you’d like more information about The Alliance for Women in Media visit their website, allwomeninmedia.org.  Please enjoy this interview with Becky Brooks and don’t forget to leave a review!

It’s been a hot minute since our family took a true road trip. Quick trips to Palm Springs and Laguna Beach don’t really count. I’m talking about packing up the pets, stocking up on road snacks and mapping out destinations. That’s what we decided to do to get our safe, social distance road trip in for the summer. We decided not to go with an RV like a lot of families are doing for a few reasons. One, both times we tried to rent an RV it fell through. And also, we were planning to travel some narrow and winding highways and didn’t feel comfortable doing that in our first RV driving experience. Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz. I have always wanted to visit central California. I sounds so dreamy and I imagine the photo opportunities would be off the charts (always thinking about my Instagram). So we started in Santa Cruz which was about a 5 hour drive from LA. We drove through a ton of farmland and had lunch in Gilroy, the garlic capitol of the world. Then headed north to Santa Cruz. I have to say, we weren’t super impressed with Santa Cruz. I thought it would be more of a beach community but it was really run down in the areas we visited. Maybe there was a more picturesque part but we didn’t see that. The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. Our first stop was The Mystery Spot! This kitschy destination has been on our radar for a while and we finally made it. Here’s how the website describes it: “The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. But don’t take our word for it, come and decide for yourself!” Wear a mask if you go The Mystery Spot while coronavirus is on the loose! We had no idea what was happening inside but I took a fun video and got great pictures while we were there. Channing was fascinated and thought the whole thing was really cool. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area especially because it’s only $8! Santa Cruz Boardwalk, July 2020. We went to the Boardwalk but almost everything was closed because of the coronavirus. We stayed at a cute hotel near the beach called Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages. We got the “suite” because it was the biggest space but it definitely wasn’t roomy. It was quaint and had a great front porch area with faux grass. Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz It was also a short walk to Sunny Cove Beach which we thought was lovely. But at night a lot of sketchy characters were starting to fill up the cove so we left as the sun was setting. Overall not a bad place to stay and pretty far removed from the more public beaches. Lover’s Park in Monterey Bay. We headed out the next morning and drove through Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea and headed south on highway 1 towards Big Sur. We were in the clouds or a thick fog bank for most of the drive but it was still very pretty. And cool! I couldn’t believe how cold the weather was for early July. But I think that’s because we are used to sweating our pants off in SoCal from about May to October. Ribs platter at Big Sur Smokehouse. We had an excellent lunch at Big Sur Smokehouse right off the highway. It was pricey but some of the best barbecue we’ve had in a long time. So, worth it. Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur. After lunch we went looking for Pfeiffer Beach, a hidden beach off the highway that’s only accessible via a one lane road. You have to veer to the side as much as possible in order to let other drivers pass. And if the small parking lot at the end of the road fills up, you’re out of luck. You can go down the road if there is nowhere to park. We got lucky because 2 cars were pulling out as we were going in. Purple sand on Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. If you don’t know about Pfeiffer Beach, this is the beach with purple sand and keyhole rocks that look amazing at sunset. The purple sand deposits are the product of erosion from the manganese garnet that washes down the mountains when it rains. There was quite a few people on this beach and most were not wearing masks. So we stayed pretty far away and left after about 30 minutes. It was a really beautiful spot and definitely worth a stop on your road trip if you’re headed that way. Make sure you check with the National Parks department to see if the beaches and parks you want to visit are open before you go. Moonstone beach boardwalk in Cambria. After Pfeiffer beach we headed down the mountain to Cambria where we had planned to stay for the night. We found an adorable hotel called Fogcatcher Inn that was right on Moonstone Beach. There is a beautiful boardwalk along the coastline full of trees and beachy florals that are definitely picture worthy. Just before Cambria is San Simeon where you’ll find Hearst Castle. I have always wanted to visit this castle but alas, it’s closed thanks to coronavirus. So it looks like we’ll have to plan another trip back up to this part of the state to see it. Which Chris and I agreed we don’t mind because it was beautiful. And cold! Again, we had sweaters on in July. The town of Cambria is very quaint with cute coffee shops and bakeries and lots of dining options. We grabbed a burger at Main Street Grill for our first dine-in experience in over 4 months. There was enough room inside where we felt comfortable sitting apart from everyone. But not everyone was wearing a mask coming or going. And there were no sections marked off to keep people apart so most people were sitting right next to other diners. Needless to say, we ate quickly and left. Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo. We headed to San Luis Obispo the next day and had to stop at Bubblegum Alley. I don’t know where I heard about this spot but I’m so glad we stopped. It’s a tiny alley in downtown San Luis Obispo that is covered with millions of wads of chewing gum. It’s horrifying and cool at the same time. Chan and I wanted to get out of the car to check it out but Chris wanted no part of it. He stayed in the car while we we looked at the gross gum. Dinosaur Cave Park in Pismo Beach. Then we headed south to Pismo Beach for a quick look at Dinosaur Caves Park and headed back to LA. Vista point in Central California We planned this so that we could do at least one night in our house to do laundry and check in on everything before heading out again. We left the next morning for Palm Springs. Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs. Everyone was very excited for this leg of the trip because we were going to be chilling at a house with a pool for a few days. We found a great vacation rental through Mod Mansions. It had an adorable Palm Springs feel but also felt very homey. Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs. After a day at the pool we ventured out on a day trip to the Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain. If you’ve never been to this area I highly recommend it. Not in July, but sometime in the fall or spring maybe. It was over 100 degrees and we were so hot. So we just got a few quick pictures of this desolate, Mad Max area then headed back to the pool. That’s where we vegged out for a few days until it was time to go home. The Salton Sea Our California road trip took us from Central California, to the SoCal desert and it was absolutely everything we needed. And throughout the trip we stayed away from public areas, washed our hands frequently and wore our masks. It was nice to know we could be safe about our travel and still have a good time! Mod Mansions vacation rental in Palm Springs. Have you been to any of these places on a California road trip? What recommendations would you share for this trip?

I have always been fascinated with television. I consume hours and hours of it each week and have since I was a kid. I was an 80s baby raised by a single mom who worked full time so the TV was my babysitter a lot of the time. And since I was little I have dreamed of being on TV, making people laugh and being a part of their family week after week. And while television has changed a lot since the 80s, my dream hasn’t. The feeling I get when I watch a great show hasn’t changed either. When I first moved to LA I immersed myself in improv and comedy at the Groundlings. I thought the best way to get my own show was to just be funny and work with great people and eventually I would get cast. Hindsight is always 20/20 but I wish I could tell myself to become a producer and develop my own show. That’s where I want to be! Now that I know more about the TV development process I understand just how little control and power actors have, unless you are also a producer. Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal. I’m so thrilled to have Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic on the show this week to help demystify television development and shed some light on how a show gets made. Brenda is the Director of Programming and Development at NBC Universal. She works on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “Access Hollywood” to name a few and has several projects in development that she can’t reveal just yet. She previously spent 13 years at PBS SoCal where she was responsible for directing the development, production, national distribution and marketing of programs on PBS. You might be familiar with her PBS shows like “Variety Studios: Actors on Actors” where actors interview each other. Brenda Brkusic Milinkovic is photographed during Governors Portraits on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) Brenda has won 10 Emmy Awards, and has had 15 Emmy nominations. She currently serves on the Daytime Emmy Awards Committee and previously served as LA Area Governor on the Board of Governors for the Television Academy as well as Co-Chair of the Governors Ball for the Primetime Emmys and Co-Chair of the LA Area Emmys. To say she is a proactive member of the television community would be an understatement. She is entrenched in the development and creation of ideas for TV. So of course, I had to ask her what she thinks about the rise in popularity of streaming content over the last decade. We talked about how traditional broadcast is learning to pivot to keep viewers tuned in while streaming platforms surge. I’ve always been curious about how producers get in rooms with development executives and if the traditional method of going through an agent, pitching and signing a deal is still the norm. I love what Brenda has to say about this in terms of finding new talent and ideas. She recently discovered someone on YouTube and liked them so much, she started developing a show with them. How amazing! This is why I tell people to never stop creating because you never know who is watching. Brenda Milinkovic is the Director of Development and Programming at NBC Universal. We also talk about the demands of working for a major network like NBC and juggling family life. She is a mom of two and, like most of the country, has been working from home since the stay home orders were put in place. She says despite the industry shut down, they are still constantly working on developing new ideas and content for programs. This was such an inspiring conversation and really gives us a glimpse into how television gets made, and what someone looking to get into development or develop their own show can do to get a leg up. The next time you’re watching a great show on NBC, you’l have a better sense of the people behind the scenes who took a nugget of an idea and followed it through until it landed in your living room. Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on this episode! I would love to hear from you!

Lia Dias is the newest cast member of Bravo TV’s “Married to Medicine Los Angeles.” She joins the show in season 2 and hints that the drama is worth tuning in for. She is a friend of Dr. Imani’s and prides herself on the notoriety of being a business entrepreneur and a girl boss rather than embracing the lifestyle of being a typical doctor’s wife. Her husband is a psychiatrist and colleague of Dr. Imani’s. Lia Dias is a new cast member on season 2 of “Married to Medicine Los Angeles.” We talked about how she juggles owning a chain of beauty supply stores called The Girl Cave LA as well as her three kids, Kaylin, Colin and Kayla.  She tells me that she didn’t have any concerns about letting cameras into her home to film her family because Bravo made sure all of the kids were taken care of. She explains that it was a priority for them to make sure the kids were comfortable in each scene and took breaks when necessary. “Married to Medicine Los Angeles” airs Sundays 9/8c on Bravo TV. She also talks about how each cast member on the show is very different, despite having so much in common. Turns out, Bravo is really good at casting different types of personalities who can bring us good drama on TV! And “Married to Medicine Los Angeles” is no exception. In this episode he gives us a closer look at what fans can expect to see on season 2 so don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Then you you can watch Lia build her business, and make new friends (or frenemies!) on “Married to Medicine Los Angeles” Sundays 9/8c on Bravo.  

Jessica Butler is the co-creator of the hit Nick at Nite series, “Instant Mom.” She and her husband writer/producer Warren Bell created the show based on her experiences as a stepmother. She says she felt there was nothing on TV that represented how families can co-parent together. She also wanted to dispel the trope of the wicked stepmother, which does more harm to families than people realize. RaiseMagazine.com focuses on telling stories of non-traditional families. Butler is a stepmother of two sons, and an adoptive mom to one son and wanted to see her stories and other non-traditional stories represented online. So she launched Raise Magazine, a lifestyle site for modern mothers, featuring stories of stepparenting, adoption, foster care, surrogacy, and non-traditional families. Warren Bell and Jessica Butler co-created “Instant Mom” on Nick at Nite based on their family. Butler says she creates content for fellow stepmoms who are navigating a new marriage, instant motherhood, and co-parenting all at once, as well as for women who are stepdaughters themselves. A recent poll from Pew Research Center revealed that 44% of women in America — nearly half — have a step relationship. While most stepparenting sites cater solely to stepmoms, Raise covers single motherhood as well, providing a community for moms who are navigating co-parenting from the other side, along with challenges like dating as a parent. Jessica Butler and her son Levon. As an adoptive mother in an open adoption, she offers her perspective to hopeful and current adoptive moms, as well as birth moms and adoptees, through conversations on open and closed adoptions, interracial and kinship adoptions, and the day-to-day challenges of raising an adopted child. Raise also profiles former foster youth and current foster parents on their experiences with the system. The Raise site is currently building a team of experts in the fields of adoption, foster care, health and wellness, pediatrics, and assisted reproductive technology to serve as consultants to its growing community of modern families. She says she hopes Raise becomes a community for families who feel like they don’t fit into the traditional family mold. In fact, does anyone still fit into that mold? There are so many different types of families in the world now but we don’t see those stories on TV or in film. You can find out more about Jessica and her community at RaiseMagazine.com.

If you read the title of this post then you’re probably thinking, wait, Heather has an empire? I might be exaggerating a bit. But this podcast did help me build a business, expand my network, and discover a new career path. This is my 200th episode of Motherhood in Hollywood and I’m celebrating! And of course my guest is Chris Brooker. We’re taking a brief look back at the incredible guests who took the time to share their story with me on my little show and what has changed in my life in the almost five years since MIH launched. My first Motherhood in Hollywood in July 2015 I have to say a huge thank you to my first few guests, Jen Hasty and Amy Crofoot. These two mamas were my only mom friends at the time and graciously agreed to come to my house and let me pick their brains about being a mom in Hollywood. When I started MIH there were no parenting-centric entertainment podcast. There was a lot of comedy podcasts, entertainment podcasts, and parenting podcast but none that combined what it means to be a working parent in showbiz. Cut to five years later and every A, B, C and D level celeb has their own podcast on parenting. Clearly I started a trend! And clearly I have stayed humble. I had no idea what doors this podcast would open for me and truly, I don’t take a second of it for granted. Before starting this show I never knew what a mommy blogger was. I never knew there was a world of “events” that people went to and got free product in exchange for posting about it on social media or talking about it on their podcast. I was so immersed in the actor hustle that this side of life was completely foreign to me. Heather and Chan on the redCARpet at the Skirball Cultural Center in 2015. The first event was I invited to was the Red Carpet Safety event. My friend Jill Simonian, aka The Fab Mom, asked her friend Saraah Samandi if I could tag along with my two year old. It was a blistering hot day in early September and a ton of moms and celebrities were packed into the Skirball Center looking at the latest baby products. And when I left, they handed me a huge bag of baby swag. For what? Just for going to a party and mingling with celebs? I was sold! I started researching blogging, designed my own website, focused on growing my social media and set out to see if I could get more free stuff! Soon I started making connections at the events I went to and met other moms with similar interest. We shared ideas about how to grow, and reach our goals. I quickly realized that my goals started to change. I didn’t want just a bag of swag, I wanted to make money and start a business. I researched podcast ads, sponsored Instagram posts, media kits and marketing tools. I hired a publicist to help me get my name out to various online publications and to be a guest other podcasts. I spent more money than I made. But in the end, it paid off. I started getting celebrity guests, and influencers for my podcast. Top producers and writers wanted to be on my show! Call me The Jeffersons cause I was movin’ on up! Then I started being referred to as an “influencer.” This is not a title I’ve ever been comfortable with because it implies I somehow have influence over people. I’m just a wacky actor. Who would listen to me? But that’s the term the industry still uses to this day when I work with brands or host events or speak on panels. So I just accept that’s what I’m called and don’t let it go to my head. I know it’s a ridiculous term and there are ridiculous influencers in the space, but that term doesn’t define who I am. Recently I had some people in my life try to tear me down and belittle my business and career because they don’t fully understand or support what I do. Or maybe, they just let their own insecurities get the best of them. The broke my heart in the cruelest way and tried to make me feel bad for what I’ve accomplished. Don’t ever let anyone steal your joy! If anyone wants to buy me a drink sometime I’ll gladly tell you the story. But this particular post is about the uplifting and wonderful things that have happened so we will leave their negativity behind. And fortunately, they are no longer a part of my life. But I digress… I’m building an empire! And somewhere along the way I started covering red carpets. I never set out to do that but after many spending years as a reporter before moving to LA, I certainly had the skillset for it. Although I had left my reporting days behind, I never stopped working in news behind the scenes as a writer. It was the perfect job for me to work in part time while I pursued my dreams. While building up MIH, somehow I got on several email list for invites to TV and movie premieres and family “press” junkets. It was so exciting to get to take Chan to these events and watch movies or new TV before they were released. Sure this is how the stars must feel! I had made it! I was finally a star! But only in my head of course. I was also invited to join blogger round tables with the cast of these films and “interview” them. Which really just means, you ask one question and then listen to other mommy bloggers ask questions. Truly some of the most grueling times during my journey was listening to people gush over celebrities and ask embarrassing questions. “If your house was on fire would you save your newborn or your dog?” Seriously that was a question someone asked during a “press” event for the movie “Valerian.” I remember thinking, why aren’t these people more professional? Don’t get me wrong I think you can have fun when you’re interviewing someone but there’s a certain level of professionalism and understanding of the film business and industry that should go into these interviews, especially if you’re being called press, right? But now I realize I was looking at these family press junkets through the eyes of a journalist and not through the eyes of a fan. I can see now that I was taking myself and these events way too seriously.  And I’m embarrassed to admit, I let it bother me.  I yearned for something more professional, to do these interviews in a more professional setting, but I hadn’t put the pieces together yet of how or what that looked like. It was in one of these blogger round tables for Despicable Me 3 that I realized I wanted to do these interviews one-on-one and not with a group of bloggers. In fact, I was getting frustrated because here I was in front of Steve Carrell who I had worked with on “The Office”, twice, and cringing while he was asked about something ridiculous. What was I even doing there? I’m not a mommy blogger. I am an actor and journalist who just happened to start a podcast. I felt like I should’ve been working with Steve Carell on a set or interviewing him one-on-one at the very least. We are basically peers right? Why shouldn’t I get my own interview with him? It’s okay to laugh at how ridiculous I am. Seriously, who did I think I was? Excuse me while I get uppity. I mean no disrespect to mommy bloggers but I never identified with that moniker. The reality is, I wanted to prove that I wasn’t just a mommy podcaster or influencer with no credibility. I found myself bucking against the name that I had worked so hard to create. I had no idea that naming my podcast Motherhood in Hollywood would forever label me as a mommy blogger and that people would look past all of my other accomplishments and only put me in one category. I have won two Emmys and have over 40 film and television credits. I felt like I had a lot more to offer but I was struggling to make sense of my place in the industry. Did I want to act or interview people? And did I have to choose one or the other? I was lamenting these frustrations to my BFF Amy Calvert who also just happened to be the GM at my old TV station KJRH in Tulsa. I mentioned the idea of being a Hollywood correspondent for her station and thankfully, she loved the idea. And just like that, I was back in my reporter pants! I’m now realizing that my leap back into reporting was totally driven by my competitive nature and the desire to prove that I’m better than everyone else. I know I’m not actually better than anyone, but competition is certainly is a good motivator! I started reporting again and doing regular stories for KJRH in Tulsa. I interviewed Blake Shelton about his coaching on “The Voice”, covered San Diego Comic-Con and The Golden Globes. I jumped into reporting again with both feet and I loved it. One thing people don’t know about me is that I loved reporting before I became an actor. And I’m a highly competitive reporter. When I have a good story idea, I will cut a bitch who beats me to it. Chris can tell you when I worked as a reporter in Tulsa, I would watch each newscast and flip between stations to see what everyone led with and if they had a better story than me. I might have been a little insane about it. And it’s also probably what ultimately drove me away from news. I was so obsessed, it started to wear on my soul and I was losing touch with a part of myself that I loved, making people laugh. Quick shot of me on the set of “Get Shorty” with Ray Romano! I was doing all of this reporting while going on auditions, taking care of Chan, producing a weekly podcast and working part time for KNBC as a writer. And every now and then, I actually got to work as an actor. I filmed shows like “The Orville”, “Get Shorty” and “Atypical.” I was getting offers from brands to promote everything from probiotics to jewelry. The hustle is real. People ask me all the time how I do it all and honestly I don’t know. I don’t sleep very much. Maybe insomnia is my secret weapon. Yet even in the midst of all this hustle, I realized I still wanted more. I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I was claiming to be an actor but my focus wasn’t in the right place. And sometimes, it still isn’t. But what do you do when the door of opportunity opens in front of you? You walk through it and hold on tight. After interviewing some of the biggest producers,  directors and screenwriters in town I realized that the reason I’d been toiling away hoping for bit parts as an actor was because I had no control over my acting career. I can’t cast myself in a TV show, a producer has to do that. I can’t create a role for myself, a producer has to do that. While I was interviewing all these amazing people I was also secretly soaking up all of their knowledge and trying to figure out how I could better myself as an actor and move up in the industry. I started researching what it takes to be a producer and get a show made. I reached out to friends who had literary agent contacts and eventually signed with a literary agent who I thought would help me get a show developed. I remember I left Chris and Chan 3 nights a week to go to a nearby bakery (coffee shops are so cliche!) to sit and write. And after a year or so I had a well-developed show that was ready to be pitched. The only problem was, my agent was leaving the agency for another job and I had no way of getting my foot in the door for pitch meetings. If you didn’t know, getting a literary agent with no referral or experience is a gargantuan task. But I wasn’t ready to give up. And while all of this was happening, MIH was growing. My Instagram blew up and my podcast numbers soared, well, for me anyway. And I was still going to red carpets and covering entertainment for KJRH. I became consumed with getting every entertainment scoop I could for my social media, my podcast and KJRH. I started to realize that while my acting opportunities were fewer and farther between, maybe this reporting thing could be another avenue for success. I was completely comfortable in front of the camera and I remember reasoning with myself that even if I wasn’t getting acting roles at least I was still performing and getting my name out there in someway. Plus, I really enjoyed it. A big break, or push in the right direction, came in the form of my news director at KNBC, where I worked part time as a writer. He had listened to my podcast and seen my red carpet coverage on my social media. We had a meeting to talk about me expanding my role and covering entertainment for KNBC. He had the great idea of creating a new position for me: digital entertainment reporter. No one at the station had ever held that position before. I would be the first ever digital entertainment reporter for KNBC and in the LA news market. Now stations like KTLA and KABC have digital reporters but nobody does, or did specifically what I do.  And for the last 2 years I have immersed myself in this new role while still cranking out my podcast, and growing my business. It feels like second nature to me to tell stories and interview people in this industry. I have such a love for the film and television making process from every aspect. And I love talking to actors about their process as well. Truly this job is a dream come true. And yet, I still want something more. A big part of my heart and soul is missing. Acting. I miss acting. Reaching 200 episodes is a huge accomplishment and I’m so grateful for every single person who has downloaded, shared, commented and followed me over the last 5 years. I couldn’t have done it without your support! But as I sit in the midst of a global health crisis, spending everyday at home, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I know I still want to be an actor. I also want to be a host/reporter. And I love being an “influencer” and sharing my life online. Do I have to choose one path or the other? It feels like if one part gets more attention, then the other areas of my life don’t move forward and I”m struggling to balance, and focus. It’s been more than 3 years since I took a regular acting class so how can I call myself an actor? My podcast episodes are so inconsistent these days that I’d hardly call myself a podcaster either. I have been so consumed with doing a good job, getting the best story and re-inventing myself as a reporter at KNBC that I’ve lost touch with a lot of the reasons why I moved to LA in the first place. I’ve also come to realize that I don’t actually despise the term mommy bloggers as much as I thought I did. Nor do I have judgy frustrating feelings for those family “press” junkets. I understand their place and the need for projects bib and small to have that kind of press. I’ve grown to have so much respect for my mommy blogging friends who share their lives online. They have actually turned out to be more loyal and supportive than some of my actor friends. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you I’ve grown up a lot in the last 5 years as well. You can hear it in my interviewing style on my podcast (I swear less), and see it in the posts I share on my website and Instagram. That doesn’t mean I’m not still silly and wildly inappropriate sometimes. It just means that good empire rulers should never stop evolving. I guess what I’m trying to say through all of this somewhat stream of consciousness rambling is, I don’t know what the answer is in terms of re-connecting with the acting side of myself or how to tell you exactly what to do if you want to build an empire. I’m using this time of being in quarantine to self-reflect, get focused, and decide if I have another 200 episodes of my podcast left in me. I honestly don’t know how Marc Maron does it. I have been producer, editor, interviewer and marketer for this show for almost 5 years and honestly, I’m not sure if I want to do it anymore. I have several amazing guests lined up for the next month so I know I’ll keep it going for a while. But what is that saying… All good things must come to an end? I’m sure I’ll know when the end is near for MIH podcast and it will be hard to say goodbye. This show has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life and brought my family incredible opportunities, financial security and immeasurable joy. It’s crazy to think it all started with something as small as a microphone and a willingness for people to listen. If you learn anything from my story, I hope you don’t let anything stand in your way of following your dreams. Start that podcast. Post all the IG and TikToks you want. Don’t let others define you and don’t be afraid you blaze your own path. After all, isn’t that how all great empires are built? Thanks for listening. Have a great week! And remember, I’m not a perfect mom. But I can play one on TV!

My guest this week is no stranger to the red carpet. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau was a red carpet reporter for “Entertainment Tonight” and E! Network before leaving it all behind to pursue her passion for conservation and story telling. If her last name sounds familiar it’s because she’s married to Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famous explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau. Together they have formed a passionate partnership around using the power of entertainment to raise awareness of conservation issues. Species renderings from ‘Drop in the Ocean’   Ashlan and her husband Philippe are producers and narrators of a new Virtual Reality ocean exploration experience “Drop in the Ocean” that premiered at Tribeca Immersive in 2019. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau and her husband Philippe Cousteau hosting “Caribbean Pirate Treasure” on Travel Channel. Recently, she was also the co-star of Travel Channel’s award-winning series, “Caribbean Pirate Treasure” for three seasons.  Her documentary, “Nuclear Sharks”, for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week 2016 premiered as the #1 rated show across all cable programming. She also traveled to Antarctica to be a headlining speaker at Ted xScottBase.  She has served as host for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and was selected by former Vice-President Al Gore to be the opening anchor for 24Hours of Reality. She is a voice for environmental issues on Capitol Hill through events, and briefings and serves on the National Council of WWF, and the advisory boards of Ocean Unite and the Environmental Media Association. And she also a new mom to her “Baby Fish” who is already being groomed for world travel. She and her husband hope to take their daughter with them when they go on adventures around the world, truly incorporating motherhood into her world. If you’d like to see where she’s headed next, when the current health crisis is over, follower her on Instagram. I have no doubt you will also see her pop up on red carpets again, sharing her own stories rather than interviewing other people about theirs.

The entire entertainment industry has come to a grinding halt. There are a few movies and TV shows that were wrapped before the coronavirus pandemic hit that are still rolling out with PR, but for the most part there’s nothing new happening. Yet. But you can bet when it does, I’ll be ready. I’ve been spending some of my spare time doing self-tapes, general auditions and reading books about acting. I’m also soaking up any tidbits of information casting directors are sharing right now like my guest this week, Lindsey Weissmueller. We recorded this interview before the shut down but the helpful information will last far beyond what’s going on right now. My hope is that this is helpful to you and gets your mind working toward how you can jump back into acting once things get going again. I first met Lindsey when I auditioned for “Adam Ruins Everything.” It was a small part but that didn’t matter. Lindsey took the time to chat with me, get to know me, and let me play a little bit with my role. What a dream! As actors we are often called into rooms where we have just a few lines to deliver. I’ve been in and out of some rooms in less than 20 seconds. It’s so disheartening, especially when you rehearse, get all dressed up, get a sitter, drive across town, and risk a parking ticket just to be seen for 20 seconds. It really means a lot when casting directors take the time to get to know you and let you try your role a few different ways. Lindsey is a mom of 2 boys and has a little girl on the way. She talks about how she juggles the demands of casting with motherhood and how it’s changed her perspective on her career. I say that knowing they can’t always do that. Casting directors are under tremendous deadlines and pressure with the producers to get roles cast, that may film the next day or even that same day. It’s a very fast paced business and you have to be ready no matter what happens when you walk in that door. I hope you find comfort in this interview with Lindsey and it inspires you to stay on top of your craft so you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way when this mess is over. Make sure you follow Lindsey on Instagram to see her beautiful family and the occasional post about the industry!

My husband Chris and I have been living and working from home together now going on 3 weeks. It's been a bumpy month but we're hanging in there.

The number one question in my DM’s and inbox over the last month has been, how did you get invited to the Disney Creators Celebration? The short answer is, luck. The long answer might give you some insights on how you can get the attention of the Disney powers that be to hopefully secure a spot in this invite only conference. First, what is the Disney Creators Conference? It’s a week-long celebration for creators that begins with 3 days at Walt Disney World, and ends on a 3 day Disney Cruise. This event used to be known as the Land and Sea Disney Social Media Moms Conference (DSMMC) and was made up of mom bloggers who are passionate about all things Disney. About a hundred moms were invited from all over the U.S. to have unique experiences and get a behind the scenes look at some of the Disney operations. It seems like organizers have tweaked the formula for the event and opened it up to non-mom influencers and creators which is a great idea. There are so many Disney bloggers and influencers who aren’t parents that could benefit from this type of insights.  Dad bloggers too! There was about a hundred creators on this trip and their families so you can imagine this was a lot of people to organize. And unlike DSMMC, there wasn’t one common thread that made you say, Oh this is why they got invited! There were influencers with really big accounts, YouTubers, bloggers, TikTokers, and even people with very small accounts. Some people create beautifully curated pictures and videos, while others shoot mediocre, unfiltered pictures on their iPhone. The only thing I can tell you is why I think I was invited, although I may never know for sure because Disney guards this secret tightly. How I think I got on the list for the Disney Creators Conference: I create consistent, family friendly content. I use Disney hashtags when appropriate. I tag Disney accounts in my posts when appropriate. I go to Disneyland events and Disney related events in SoCal when I can. I post other non-Disney content but with the same level of quality. (Not just Disney content) I like and comment on other Disney influencers posts. I don’t trash Disney online, even when I don’t get invited to things. This may be the secret formula or it may just be, as I said, luck. I’ll never know because again, they keep their decision making process a secret. My guess is if you keep creating good content, network with other Disney influencers, comment on their posts, and keep growing your account then you will be on their radar. I don’t know if they will keep doing this event every year or every two years but my hope is that it’s every year. I’ve been lucky to be invited a few times and I don’t take it for granted. What do we do at the Disney Creators Conference? First, it’s not a free event. There is a conference fee. We also pay for our airfare and some meals at the theme park. So it’s not an entirely hosted event either. Disney sets up the itinerary and ours included a conference day with speakers, dessert party at Epcot, breakfast at Pandora, dessert party on Batuu, private screening of “Onward”, behind the scenes experiences on the Disney Dream, a private welcome and farewell party on the Disney Dream, and passes to rent bikes or tubes on Castaway Cay. They also arrange for transportation to and from the airport or Disney Parks if you need it. I’ll be sharing more highlights from this trip over the next few weeks on my podcast as well as here. If there’s any part of this trip you’d like to know more about just ask! I’m happy to answer any questions.

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never watched “The Bachelor.” Or “The Bachelorette.” Well, I’ve watched enough of it to know it’s not really my jam. But its cultural significance and popularity can’t be ignored. There are dozens of podcasts, fan sites, and more dedicated to all things Bachelor nation and it’s one of the highest rated shows on television. DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was on season 4 of “The Bachelorette” So when I found out my friend DeAnna Stagliano (Pappas) was not only a contestant on “The Bachelor”,  but also an actual Bachelorette I was shook. I had no idea this sweet woman I’d gotten to know over cocktails at the country club was on this show I have a fair amount of disdain for. Before you judge me for judging this show, let me tell you where I’m coming from. I’m an actress, and for years I was under the impression that all these reality shows were taking away TV airtime that could go to scripted shows, and therefore, create jobs for actors like me. I assumed that these types of shows (ala “Jersey Shore”) were made for people who have no taste in quality programming. Very snobby I know! But now I realize that reality TV has a very special and important role in television. It fills a voyueristic need that people have to see how the other half lives.  I’ve also let go of a lot of my resentment toward reality TV because of the plethora of streaming services that offer scripted shows. I’m grown up guys! And mostly I’ve learned to embrace reality TV because I’ve met so many wonderful people like DeAnna who are a part of the reality show family. I know you’ll love hearing her story as much as I did! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

You have no doubt seen Melanie Paxson on your TV hundreds if not thousands of times over the last two decades. Most of you will recognize her right away as the "Glad Girl". She captured our hearts and made us want to use better food storage and trash bags when she starred in several commercials for Gladware.  My favorite commercial she starred in was for Red Robin. Seriously, their burgers are bomb!

I had the chance to sit down with Jo over tea and talk about why she's back on TV now, what's different about her new "Supernanny" show on Lifetime, how can we parent better in the digital age and get her advice on raising an unentitled child in a very entitled world.  Her advice is grounded, rational, and proven to get results. Nothing short of super.

Chris Brooker is back on the show to talk about why we don't have flying cars and hologram watches yet (seriously, why don't we?) He's also here to talk about some of the most anticipated movies of 2020. Well, at least the one's we're anticipating the most.

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Tales of the Bigfoot go back centuries, and for probably just as long, scientists have been trying to prove Bigfoot exists. The new Travel Channel series “Expedition Bigfoot” takes a scientific approach to this tall tale, with the guidance of world-renowned primatologist Dr. Mireya Mayor. “With a unique blend of expertise, the ‘Expedition Bigfoot’ team – including Bryce Johnson, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Russell Acord, Ronny LeBlanc, and Ryan “RPG” Golembeske – may finally take one of the world’s greatest mysteries out of the pages of legend and lore and into reality. Get to know them all before this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime expedition.” Mireya has been traveling the globe and pursuing her passion for primates for nearly two decades. She tells me her love of primates started as a young girl watching nature documentaries and films. She’s also a mom of 6 who is passing on her love of science to her children. Along the way she’s often been called a “female Indiana Jones,” and is an inspiration to young women interested in science and exploration. But less you think that’s not enough to do, there’s even more. She’s a two-time Emmy Award-nominated field correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and speaks to audience around the world about wildlife and habitat issues. She’s also passionate about the environment and the effects of climate change. Her explorations have led to several scientific discoveries, including her co-discovery of the world’s smallest primates, a brand-new species to science. So cool! The Expedition Bigfoot Team (left to right): Russell Acord, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Bryce Johnson, Ronny LeBlanc. She’s a Florida girl at heart, growing up in Miami. And she recently joined Florida International University as Director of the Exploration and Science Communication Initiative. She tells me she was an NFL cheerleader and is a girly girl who loves getting down in the mud to investigate and explore. In fact that’s what inspired her book, Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey from NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer. You’ll love my conversation with Mireya where we talk about the challenges of parenting as a scientist and television host. “Expedition Bigfoot” weekly on the Travel Channel.  Check here for listing and showtimes.  Mireya can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the Web.

There is powerful movement that's been taking root in Hollywood, and beyond, for the past 2 years. Many women, and some men, are standing up to say we've had enough of sexual harassment, assault, and unfair work place treatment. One of the ways we're learning about what's going on behind the scenes in Hollywood, is through documentaries like "Nevertheless." Director Sarah Moshman has built a career on providing a platform for women to tell their stories.

Imagine shaking and shimmying your way to a fitter version of yourself in just 27 minutes.  That's the idea behind PLATEFIT - a high intensity workout that uses vibrating power plates to shimmy you to skinny. Or at least, more fit. I talked with the founder of PLATEFIT Rachael Blumberg about why she created this work out, and if working out on vibrating plates really works.

My guest this week is stand up comic Jenna Kim Jones who is shedding light on the world of comedy while juggling mom life.

The ladies from Moms on the Clock had the bright idea to partner up and combine their talents to share with the world. I can't wait for you to meet Ashley, Steff, Brooke and Beth - the moms from Moms on the Clock!

I'm so grateful that Teresa Reilly shared her story with me. And I can't wait for her to meet her new baby (which I hope she names Heather!). You can follow this inspiring mama on her new journey on her Instagram @teresaclaire.

Katrina Law joins me to talk about her new role on "Hawaii 5-0", what she thinks about "Arrow" now, and being mom to her almost one-year-old daughter, Kinley. Don't forget to leave a review and follow MIH on Instagram!

In LA there seems to be an abundance of events. Every week someone is having a party, hosting a panel, or meet and greet. Honestly it's overwhelming. And a lot of mom influencers/bloggers feel the pressure to attend all of these events, usually without getting paid, to promote whatever brand is hosting. We are usually offered a few products or free tickets to something in exchange for free social media coverage.  Some bloggers feel the need to go to every event, pay or not, because they don't want to be left out. On the flip side, there's FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out! Erin talks about hosting an event recently then getting a ton of messages from people who were upset at not being invited. The feeling of not being included is so hard to process that people get upset or feel less than when they don't get invited.  I have felt the FOMO many times before. It sucks when you see people having a blast and you weren't invited. It's hard not to be jealous, or angry when you're not included.  The thing is, events, brands, and people shouldn't define you! Say it again for the people in the back! Going to events and feeling "popular" feels great on the surface. But ask yourself, why am I sharing my life online in the first place? Why do I go to movie screenings or blogger junkets, or the latest candle release party? Is it to feel popular? Or create engaging content? Or support a friend? Maybe you connect with all of those things. There is  no judgement, or singling anyone out in this episode. Just a couple of friends discussing trends we see happening and questioning how we can be better and grow our own platforms in the process.

It’s rare in this world to find your mom soulmate. Even rarer still, to find her in Hollywood where everyone seems to be looking for the next leg up using people along the way.  Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning clicked right away when their kids became friends in school. They even finish each others sentences and say they would marry each other if they weren’t already married. So natch, they started a podcast. They host Women on Top on the Dear Media network. Nothing is off limits with this show. Whether they’re interviewing Heather Dubrow or Kristen Chenowith and talking about sex. Or Catherine McCord from Weelicious and talking about sex. You can bet sex, friendships, relationships, mom life will all be topics on the table. I think we talked about herpes within the first 30 seconds when I was on their show (side note: none of us have it!) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock (10227026d)Roxy Manning, Tammin Sursok‘Women On Top’ podcast launch party, Los Angeles, USA – 02 May 2019Launch party for ‘Women On Top’ podcast featuring Tammin Sursok and Roxy Manning, at STK restaurant in Westwood. You can keep up with Tammin and Roxy on their Instagram @WomenonTopofficial and listen to their podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for Motherhood in Hollywood and their show as well.  Who is your mom soulmate? Share below!

Hey friends, real talk ahead. I've been podcasting for four years and more than 200 episodes if you include my bonus episodes, which I do. And honestly, I'm burning out. I was watching Marc Maron's show recent and realized he has been podcasting for 10 years this  month and has over a thousand episodes. Holy crap that's a lot of talking. And I realized I don't know if I will make it to a thousand, or even five hundred. I'm burned out. I have too many irons in the fire right now and each one is taking up a lot of my attention and offering new and exciting opportunities. The reason I started MIH was to meet other actors and moms in my community. But now my acting career has been pushed into the back burner because so many other things are getting priority. Am I still an actor? Technically yes. Do I still act? No. Not for years. It's time to start making some decisions and changes around the future of MIH and my career in entertainment. I never thought I'd be a reporter again, and yet here I am breaking boundaries as the first plus size digital entertainment reporter at NBC LA. I love my job, but it's a lot of work. I love my podcast, but it's also a lot of work. As is creating content for social media, and all of the things that come with it. I also want to still be an active participant in parenting Chan and it feels like my work and business are overshadowing that. I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel and I don't know why I can't get off or change directions. I just keep running and eventually something is going to give. It might be the podcast. Or it might be something else. Lord knows Chris has has heard me talk about this a lot lately and I'm sure he' like me to make a decision LOL  This rant doesn't mean that I'm unhappy with the amazing things that have come my way and opportunities that have come up. I'm still amazing at the things we get asked to do or be involved with. I just need to make a decision and rip off the bandaid. I go into detail about what's going on in this episode and I hope you enjoy it and know you're not alone if you're struggling with following your dreams, even if they are evolving. What does your dream job and career look like these days? Thinking of making any changes? I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review for my podcast. It would mean a lot!

Three years ago I was lucky enough to be invited onto the Jim Henson Studios lot in Hollywood to interview executive producer Halle Stanford. Little did I know how much of an impact she would have on my life. We hit it off immediately because Halle's joy is contagious and she genuinely loves what she does, just like me! Now she's joining me to talk about her new show called The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix.

When you find a comedy soulmate you grab ahold of them and never let go. Or at least start a podcast with them. That's what LA actors and comedians Betsy Stover and Amanda Allan did when they started the Why Mommy Drinks podcast. It's a funny, relatable and honest look at the parenting moments that drive us to drink.

It's happened to every parent at least once, you turn around at the store, movies or mall and your kid disappears in seconds. Your heart races as your mind quickly runs through all of the horrible scenarios. Then you find the stinker hiding in a clothing rack because they think you're playing hide and seek. Can you tell this has happened to me? It's also happened to moms Ellie Kanner and Lisa Solomon who have created The Game Plan Game. It's a board game designed to teach kids life lessons as they grow and gain more independence.

Isabel Echeverry had a vision many years ago while working at ICM to help Latinos make it in Hollywood. She has a self-described gift of connecting people and lifting them up. Cut to 10 years later and her vision is now a reality. Echeverry founded Kontakto and now represents some of Hollywoods top Latin actors and entertainment companies.

Sometimes you get just a feeling about someone when you meet them. Like they are down-to-earth and would make a great friend. That's what I felt when I met Courtney Lopez, wife of host and actor Mario Lopez. We were introduced through our mutual friend Erin Ziering a taping of Erin's talk show and immediately bonded over our love of the East Side of LA (different than East LA BTW). And after talking with her I realized we have a lot more in common than just location.

Summer is here! Now what do we wear? Celebrity Stylist and TV Personality Ali Levine is sharing personal style tips for every mom on the go.Ali has shared her work with The New York Times, FabFitFun, and USA Today and now Motherhood in Hollywood! Ali is also a new mom learning to navigate motherhood in and stay true to herself in the process.We started with a topic that's near and dear to my heart....shoes! Ali says this summer it's all about adding height with a summer sandal or wedge. She sent me a couple of examples of what's in for wedges and a more affordable option from Kohl's.SO Taffy Women's Wedge from Kohl'sAlso, thankfully, leggings are in! She recommends a fun geometric pattern with a chill t-shirt. Or simple leggings with an oversized sweater.Ali says a fun geometric legging is fun for summer!And my personal favorite is a cute short dress with leggings underneath.  I would wear something like that everyday if I could!Ali shares a lot more tips in this episode so make sure you listen! She also has her own podcast where she shares what it's been like being a fashionable mama. It's called Striped Down and is available on iTunes or her website, alielevine.com

Meg Weidner is an actress who became a mom and was struggling with feeling like a failure. Raise your hand if you've been there? *raises hand*She joins me on the show to talk about the film she created and stars in called "Best Mom." The film follows Addy in her quest to be the best mom for her daughter. But as it turns out, that's impossible. So in a last ditch effort to connect with her child, she joins an improv group and discovers the joy of failing up. What does that mean? You can watch "Best Mom"  AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, DISH, Sling TV, Vubiquity, XBOX, Vudu, Fandango NOW to find out.Honestly I could have talked to Meg all day. She is so supportive and complimentary. It made me feel like the best mom in the world! Although Chan quickly brings me back to reality. I think this is a story that will resonate with a lot of women who often feel like they are failing at motherhood in some way. We are not perfect and we shouldn't expect to be. Let's all stop putting pressure on ourselves to be the best and embrace our imperfections."Best Mom" also stars Donna Mills, Krista Allen, Jilon Vanover and Violet Hicks. Take a moment to support indie filmmakers and fellow moms by watch her movie! You can learn more about this award-winning film at BestMomFilm.com.

Like millions of people around the world I was disappointed with the ending to Game of Thrones. Not enough to sign a petition or cancel my HBO. But enough that it's been keeping me up at night. I've been running the story lines around in my head about what could have been, or should have been. It doesn't help that I look at Twitter to see what other fans are feeling and seeing all of fan theories being shared that make a lot of sense.So when my friend Lara Scott from K-EARTH 101 invited me to her studio to air our grievances about the final season and final episode I jumped at the chance. Not just to go talk with her about one of my favorite shows, but to see the inside of her radio station. It's been 20 years since I worked in radio and I wanted to see how much has changed. And let me tell you, not much has! Things are more digital now, but the basics of DJ and mic, tossing to songs, hitting your post... all of that is the same. Radio is a classic form of entertainment and it's good to see that it's still going strong.

I was telling my friend Heather the other day that I interviewed Jamie Denbo who created a show all about the Ren Faire. Her reaction, like mine, was...FINALLY! Why hasn't this subject been explored and put on display for all to see before? Denbo created "American Princess" which airs on Lifetime on June 2nd. I invited her to tell me about this show and how she became an actress, producer and top improviser.

Still feeling very inspired after this conversation with Katie Locke O'Brien. She, like many, moved out to Hollywood to be an actress. But in recent years she's found creative outlets in other areas of entertainment. She applied for the inaugural NBC Diversity and Inclusion Female Forward program, was accepted and recently directed an episode of AP Bio on NBC. All within in the last 2 years!

I don't know why I'm still surprised, but every week when I interview someone new I get another mom crush. Lara Scott is no exception. She is a bright light and I'm mad that I didn't meet her sooner. She is so easy to talk to and a great listener, both are qualities that make her an outstanding radio personality for K-EARTH 101.Lara got started in radio at the age of 17 in Bend, Or. She and a friend thought the local morning DJ sounded cute, so her friend dared her to call the station. She wound up asking if they were hiring and got a job. If all jobs were just that easy! Cut to many moons later and she is the midday jockey at K-Earth 101, the top radio station in LA.

When it was announced that Will and Grace was coming back, no one was more excited and surprised than my friend Amy Crofoot. Amy was a stand in for Debra Messing during the first run of the series and was invited to come back and share her talents for the second run. At first it was only going to be for a limited run, but the show was so popular NBC greenlit it for more episodes. Amy had no idea that by saying yes it would quickly expand into several seasons worth of work.

I have a new mom friend! Her name is Beth Bowen and we were destined to meet. I first heard about Beth from my friend Stefanie Fair when she was on my podcast a few years ago. Stefanie suggested I reach out to Beth at that time to have her on my show but I dropped the ball and it fell through the cracks. Cut to a year and a half later and Beth and I were invited to speak on a panel at Influential Summit in Carlsbad where we bonded over our love/hate relationship with social media and the entertainment industry.

I can't even imagine the balls it took for Jamie Otis and Dough Hehner to get married at first sight. But that's exactly what they did! They were on the first season of the hit Lifetime show "Married at First Sight" and are coming up on their 5th wedding anniversary. In the last 5 years they've faced challenges just like every newlywed couples do, but they did it under the watchful public eye. And from what I can tell, a lot of people are rooting for them to make it! So I was very excited to talk with them and get some scoop on how they make it work.

How many of you saw your marriage change in some way after having kids? It may not necessarily mean a negative shift but everyone's life changes when kids come into the picture. This week we're talking to author NYT bestselling author Jancee Dunn about her book How Not To Hate Your Hubs After Kids. She's sharing her humorous look at how her marriage changed when her daughter was born.

My friend Erin Cardillo is on the show this week talking about her new movie, and first movie, "Isn't it Romantic." She first started writing this movie 9 years ago. Nine years! And it's now hitting theaters. Let this serve as a lesson in not giving up on your dreams.

Kate Casey from Reality Life with Kate Casey and chat about Celebrity Big Brother! We're diving into everything from what happened to Joey Lawrence's face (why is no one talking about this??) to why she thinks Ricky Williams will win it all. I'm personally rooting for Kandi Burruss because she's been on my podcast and is a total #momboss.

Have you been watching YouTube’s original programming? If so then you’ve undoubtedly seen the work of my friend Danny Zaccagnino. He’s the Head of Casting and Talent for YouTube Originals and has the inside track on the future of streaming content. Ralph Macchio with Danny Zaccagnino. Actors, listen up. Not only is he sharing what goes on when they are casting a new show, but he talks about the “list”, what happens in the room before you come in and when you leave, and why you may not have gotten that part you were so perfect for. I can’t count the number of times I’ve driven away from an audition thinking, I totally nailed it only to realize a few days later that I didn’t get it. Actors get so caught up in what we’re wearing, how we look, and emphasizing certain words in an audition but the truth is, so much of casting has nothing to do with any of those things. Danny used to be an actor himself, and a very talented one at that. He tells me about how he found his way into casting at MTV and worked his way up the ranks. Several years ago he jumped to YouTube and has never looked back. He’s seen countless auditions, and is very aware of up and coming talent, not just on YouTube, but in other areas as well. YouTube Originals isn’t just casting YouTube stars so don’t run out and by a video camera just yet. They are also casting traditional, trained actors who can bring some gravitas to their shows and mingling them with YouTubers who have a large following. Sounds pretty smart if you ask me. Chris and I have been loving the new YouTube Originals show called Impulse. It’s a fascinating jumper-style shows that centers around high schoolers and definitely worth your time if you haven’t seen it yet. Another YouTube Originals hit? Cobra Kai. Yes the Cobra Kai from Karate Kid! It’s a sequel of sorts that continues the story of Danny and Johnny 30 years later. It was a huge hit for YouTube with a second season filming right now. The streaming service is diving into drama, comedy, documentary and more right on your desktop and apps on streaming boxes. We actually watch it through an app on our TV which makes it even more convenient. And Danny tells me about a few more projects that are in the works so make sure you listen to this episode for a sneak peek. For more information about Danny and what’s happening at YouTube Originals make sure you follow him on Twitter @dannyzacc.   And don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review!