Ask Jillian

In this episode of Ask Jillian we talk about sleep paralysis. I mean can any of us sleep lately?!? I have recently suffered from sleep paralysis, it’s horrifying and debilitating. It’s caused by trauma, anxiety and depression which I have had all three plus what we are going through now as well. I experienced it at 12yrs old due to the trauma of sexual abuse then, now due to the aftermath of my breast cancer. It’s terrifying! I see a shadow man and can’t move which lasts about 3mins though feels like forever. I didn’t tell anyone I suffered from it as a child but when it started again a few months ago, I knew I had to get answers and help. Sweet dreams everyone!

Daniella Clarke is a fashion designer, TV and podcast host, Rock ‘n’ Roll wife, amazing Mom and my ride or die girlfriend. In this episode of Ask Jillian we discuss our 20yr+ friendship, how it started over a pair of jeans, the iconic Frankie B.’s that Daniella named after her daughter. I believed in Daniella’s talent the minute I met her. Her sense of style was so original and sexy! I have always supported women entrepreneurs, Daniella’s passion was contagious and I became a fan and friend. Daniella tells the story of how she met her husband Rock ‘n’ Roll musician Gilby Clarke on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and once they met she never went home. Their marriage is inspirational, they have been together for 30+yrs and are still totally into each other … what is their secret?!? We also talk about her touring with her husband and Guns N’ Roses, being in their legendary November Rain video, hosting with Sharon Osbourne on Rock of Love: Charm School. Also how her very cool daughter Frankie is following in her Dad's footsteps as a badass rock chick, styled by her Mom, with her band Frankie and the Studs. We’ve always been there for each other personally and professionally, she’s my sister from another mister!

In this episode of Ask Jillian we talk about traveling. My wilder days on girls trips, the crazy night Liz, Lisa and I had in Vegas for a charity event. How we got to see Stevie Nicks perform and barely made the flight home. We didn’t understand “wheels up” means they’ll leave without you! My NY trips for Howard Stern, partying with Robin and Ralph until the wee hours. Another time I was preggo and no one knew, but Howard and crew kept trying to get me to ride the sybian! That would never happen, pregnant or not! I couldn't party on that trip but my girlfriends did without me. How traveling with some friends is more fun than with others, I’m not uptight and when I'm on vacation I don’t want everything scheduled. Also how traveling with kids has its challenges. Nathan Fillion once saved me when Rocco was kinda out of control on a flight. Got to love a fellow Canadian!

Scott “Movie” Mantz is a Film Critic, Host, Emmy-Nominated Producer, Trekker and a La La Lander 4 Life!

In this episode of Ask Jillian we discuss our love of movies, some of our all time favorites and how we became film fanatics. I worked at a video rental store as a teenager and movies have been my escape ever since. Scott’s obsession with Star Trek began his critic career through a convention and meeting Will Shatner, he is a huge fan!

Scott championed the movie La La Land, and shares the story of how he passionately promoted it to help build its audience. He watched first hand its ride to the Oscars and the historical mix up of the Best Picture announcement. Scott’s behind the scenes stories are great. His reviews are fun, fair, educational, enthusiastic and insightful. He is truly the movie man!

In this episode of Ask Jillian we talk about being a single parent, its challenges and rewards. My kids were 4 and half and not yet 3 when I got divorced, it’s been 7yrs since then of non-stop doing it as best I can. Being a single parent can look so many ways, its demands never end even if you have support or help. Liz also shares the story of her mother being a widow with 7 kids, you can have no choice. During the toughest times battling my breast cancer, my kids were my biggest cheerleaders but being Mom didn’t stop. I had to keep going. Ruby and Rocco are and will always be my reason to carry on!

Tabitha and Gretchen are the fantastic podcasters from Housewives of True Crime and they talk with me about serial killers in this episode. I’m a true fan of theirs!

They share my obsession with true crime and serial killers, though Liz does not - she is a scaredy cat! We talk about the Ken and Barbie killers, real life monsters who committed horrible crimes in my hometown in Canada when I was growing up. I’ve followed the story ever since because justice wasn’t served in my opinion. Tabitha and Gretchen did great research and we did a deep dive into all the details, including how one of the killers is walking free today! We also talk about other cases, serial killers and how true crime podcasts are (pun intended) killing it!

Loren Ruch is an extraordinary producer for HGTV, fantastic host and most importantly one of my best friends! In this episode we talk about how we met in our early days at FOX Good Day LA, we had some incredible times! The stories of traveling together on our trips to Vegas first as Pamela Anderson's guest then to see Celine Dion, and how I reluctantly became a huge fan! Loren took me as his date to his High School Reunion that we turned into our own personal prom. Loren reminded me of a crazy drunk speech I gave at his wedding which I don’t recall at all but I do remember the hot braless dress I wore! Loren has worked on some fantastic HGTV projects, most recently the iconic Brady Bunch House in “A Very Brady Renovation” which was amazing! Also Liz, Loren and I reminisce about our karaoke history, it’s mostly embarrassing!

Lisa Ann Walter is a super talented actress, writer, comic, producer, director and also an amazing advocate, host, cook, mother and friend. What can’t she do? Some of her memorable appearances are in Bruce Almighty, Glow, Shall We Dance when JLo literally left her on the floor and of course Chessy in Parent Trap. Who could forget that sexy khaki and blue jean wardrobe! In this episode of Ask Jilllian we discuss our careers, marriages, divorces, how her gay ex-husband is now one of her best friends and how it ain’t easy being single moms. Lisa has so many racy stories like how her make out scene with Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds was cut from the movie, but it was very hot! We also talk about our wild ladies trip to Vegas for the Pussycat Dolls opening. My girlfriends thought I got kidnapped! Lisa is truly one of the smartest and funniest women in the business. She always tells it like it is even if you don’t like it and I love that about her!!!

In this episode of Ask Jillian, Liz and I talk about depression and anxiety, how it has affected our lives in different ways. I have felt hard hit by it these last few years due to divorce, grief and cancer. But being a single parent, I so often have to put on a brave face, get up and keep going. Since my cancer diagnosis, in moments of loneliness and despair, it has been my online social media family that has lifted me up sharing your amazing stories and inspired me to have hope that it will get better. I know I am not alone, depression and anxiety affects millions of us. It is often not diagnosed, misdiagnosed or there is a shame associated with it that keeps someone from seeking help. Dealing with mental health should be considered brave. It takes incredible strength to admit you need help. I am not afraid or ashamed to talk about my depression anymore and ask for help. It's my only way out, to talk about it and take it head (that’s a pun) on!

Jack Maxwell is an actor that has appeared in “24,” “Lost,” “Without a Trace,” “Beverly Hills 90210” and is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. Jack was also host of the Travel Channel’s “Booze Traveler,” exploring the world’s cultures by sharing cocktails and the stories behind them. In this episode we discuss Jack’s childhood in South Boston, being raised by a single mom, the Catholic Church, his path to becoming an actor and our mutual love of Al Pacino, he does a great Al impression. We also talk about how we met on Twitter after my cancer diagnosis. Jack was diagnosed in 2017 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. His support has meant the world to me. Jack has played many parts in his life but one of his greatest roles is friend to so many.