Becoming Wilkinson

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Helene Verin has a B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and has a certificate in arts appraisal from NYU. Verin has worked for many galleries, museums as well as individual artists;  including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Documenta (where she worked with Joseph Beuys), was the Edinburgh Arts Administrator, and worked for Dennis Oppenheim as his registrar.  She has written for FlashArt, Interview, and the Smithsonian.

As an award-winning designer of shoes, rugs, wallpaper, and tiles, Verin is intimately involved with contemporary design, with a specialty in couture and accessories.  Her work has appeared in countless books and publications.  A Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Verin has lectured around the world.
Recognized as the expert on Beth Levine, (having written Beth Levine Shoes, (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2009) and curated 3 exhibitions, as well as authored Arsho Baghsarian (Schiffer Fashion Press.)

Verin moved to Palm Springs during Covid, May 2020.

Contact Helene: [email protected]

Helene's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneverin/?hl=en

Helene's Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/helene.verin.9

Artsy Article:  https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sit-andy-warhol

LABUCQ interview: https://labucq.com/pages/helene-verin

Helene's Books:

"Beth Levine Shoes " (2009)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584797592/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

"Arsho Baghsarian: A Life in Shoes"  (2019) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764357328/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

NOTE: THIS IS AN INTERVIEW FROM MID 2022 WHEN MY PODCAST WAS NEW AND I DIDN'T HAVE MANY FOLLOWERS.  I'VE BEEN RE-ISSUING SOME OF THE BETTER EPISODES SO THAT MY CURRENT AUDIENCE CAN ENJOY THEM!

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The last two weeks, I visited my middle son Dave, his wife Meredith and my two grandsons Henry and Jack at their home in Dartmouth MA.

Dave is a good sport.  He agreed to be interviewed for my podcast.  After we were finished, he told me that it was now my turn and that he was going to interview ME for a podcast episode!

I was surprised at what I was feeling at first.  I guess I was afraid of what he might ask.  After all, he IS an attorney and he's be putting me on the stand, so to speak.  LOL.

But as I thought about it and mentioned to my friend and energy guru Mark Hollenstein, he encouraged me to do it.  He thought it would be good for both of us.

Before this interview, I had a little time to reflect and one of the things thatI realized was that I knew virtually nothing about my own father (or his father).  What a gift it would have been to have been able to sit my own "Pop" down and ask him a bunch of questions.    So we did the interview.  I kind of figured that it would be a gift to each of us.

I had no idea what Dave would ask me.  There were some interesting questions and I'm pretty sure that he got some interesting answers.  Like:  "Whoa.  No, I did not know that grandma used to be an underwear model before she met your Dad and then she became a radio preacher"!

It's a light-hearted interview with a lot of interesting questions.  I appreciate the time Dave took in preparing to participate.

Listen in to our bantering, interspersed with some great dialogue. 

Photo copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

NOTE:  This interview was recorded earlier, when my podcast was new.  I've enhanced the audio, upgraded the artwork and re-issued it now that more listeners will get to enjoy it.

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An Interview with my middle son: Dave Wilkinson. We chat about his journey from each of our perspectives, his family, his business and his perspective when I came out to him as a gay man in 1999.

In this episode, I interview one of my favorite people in this world: my son David. 

Two people can experience the exact same event and yet they can have two different perspectives on what happened.  So we discuss what I saw as an amazing turnabout in his life from a very average high school student, to his life now as an attorney with multiple law offices on both coasts.

He talks about his current life as a married man and dad and we share some memories of his life growing up.

Lastly, we discuss what it was like for him when I came out as a gay man in 1999.

 I hope you enjoy this rather personal look into my life as a father to this amazing man.

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

NOTE: THIS IS AN INTERVIEW FROM MID 2022 WHEN MY PODCAST WAS NEW AND I DIDN'T HAVE MANY FOLLOWERS.  I'VE BEEN RE-ISSUING SOME OF THE BETTER EPISODES SO THAT MY CURRENT AUDIENCE CAN ENJOY THEM!

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Boy Scotty, Mr. Phoenix Leather 2018, is a former President of the Phoenix boys of Leather. He is a BDSM educator teaching classes on the Violet Wand, Role Play, and his experience as a leather boy.

He is a former professional actor and acting teacher from New York City, which is how he developed his “Expanding the Self Through Role Play” class.

He is Alpha boy in the Leather House of Shangri-La and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Queer Center, Phoenix’s new LGBTQ+ Center. 

He’s a student of humanity and loves sharing experiences with people. He’s always up for making a new friend or giving a hug.

To follow and message him:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyscotty.sh...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daddyboymyk...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaddyboyMykelXX

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Luke Yankee
Has written, directed, produced, taught, lectured and acted throughout the country and abroad. He has run two regional theatres, serving as Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera  and the Struthers Library theatre.

Luke’s published plays include THE LAST LIFEBOAT and A PLACE AT FOREST LAWN, both published by Dramatists Play Service.   His other plays include THE JESUS HICKEY (which premiered in Los Angeles starring Harry Hamlin) and THE MAN WHO KILLED THE CURE, which had  it's world premiere in Southern California in February 2017. He has also written numerous TV spec scripts and pilots.

His book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT:  GROWING UP WITH EILEEN HECKART is published by Random House (under the imprint of Back Stage Books), with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore. Critics have praised it as “One of the most compassionate, illuminating showbiz books ever written.” (Musto, The Village Voice)  It was recently cited by PaperMag as “One of the Ten Best Celebrity Memoirs of All Time.”

He has taught and guest directed extensively at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the U.S. and abroad, including five years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Northwestern, Ohio State, AMDA, Denison, University of New Mexico, the Folkwang Hochschule (in Essen, Germany) and three years on the faculty of Columbia College-Hollywood. He has been a panelist and guest instructor at the William Inge Theatre Festival, where he has performed with Marybeth Hurt, Holland Taylor and George Grizzard. He is also a member of their Advisory Board. He is currently on the faculty of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), teaching advanced acting and scene study.

His theatre acting credits include “Our Town” at the American Shakespesare Theatre with Fred Gwynne, the U.S. premiere of “The Greeks” at The Williamstown Theatre Festival with Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Christopher Reeve and Celeste Holm and “The Dream Watcher” with Eva LeGallienne. In film and television, he has appeared in “The Hiding Place” with Julie Harris, “Ragtime” with Elizabeth McGovern, “Evergreen” with Armand Assante and “The Equalizer” with Jim Dale.

Luke has studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, New York University, University of California – Riverside, Northwestern University, Circle in the Square and the Herbert Berghof Studio.

He is the son of the late Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for “Butterflies Are Free” and appeared in over 15 feature films, 20 Broadway plays, and countless television programs. Ms. Heckart is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy and Tony Award winner. In her honor, Luke created the Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, her alma mater.

Luke toured internationally for more than ten years with  DIVA DISH, his one-man show about the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood.  There was such demand for a sequel, he  created DIVA DISH: THE SECOND HELPING, which he premiered at the Desert Rose Theatre in Palm Springs.

Luke and his husband Don Hill spend time at their homes in Long Beach, CA and Palm Springs, CA.

For more info ( including his full Bio) or to contact Luke:  https://yankeehillproductions.com

Luke's email is: [email protected]

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Donal Brophy proudly hails from Dublin Ireland and found his love of storytelling growing up there.  Donal moved to NYC to study acting under the legendary Bill Esper. After graduating he worked extensively in the New York downtown theater and Independent cinema scene.

In 2008, to satisfy his love and knowledge of Scotch Whisky, Donal opened his first gastro pub, the west village institution HIGHLANDS to a roaring reception.

Following the success of HIGHLANDS Donal’s career took a detour from the performing arts and went on to have a rewarding career in the restaurant world, proving himself to be a real renaissance man opening up a string of boutique restaurant and bars; Mary Queen of Scots on the lower east side, WHITEHALL in the west Village and The Surf Lodge in Montauk.

After seven years of owning and operating his businesses Donal got the acting bug once more and got back to doing what he loves best; being a story teller.  Donal’s career has been in full flight since his return with such notable credits as Blue Bloods on CBS, Unforgettable on AMC, the HBO original move ‘En el séptimo día’ On the seventh day) and the critically acclaimed remake if the Francis Ford Coppola classic DEMENTIA 13.  Donal has also been in several recent successful off Broadway stage productions such as The Picture of Dorian Grey and the immersive masterpiece Sleep No More.

Donal co-founded Idyllwild Pictures with Emrhys Cooper in 2019 and since then has been busy developing projects as a writer, producer and actor. Donal co-wrote the dark comedic feature The Shuroo Process (as well as starring in the movie). Upcoming projects include the much-anticipated docuseries Historical Homos and the Irish political thriller feature CLODAGH.

Contact Donal via Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/donaljbrophy/
Production company website: http://www.idyllwildpictures.com
HH website:  http://historicalhomos.com/
HH podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/historical-homos/id1688718350

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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EMRHYS COOPER
Originally from Devon, England. After training at the Central School Ballet, he transferred to the Laine Theatre Arts London, where he focused on acting and musical theater. 

Emrhys found considerable success after graduating in acclaimed West End shows such as Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Fame: The Musical’. Other notable theater credits include: The title role in Joe Ortons Entertaining Mr Sloane (Winner Best Lead actor Stage Scene LA and Broadway World Person to Watch) and Aladdin.
 Emrhys moved to Los Angeles, where he transitioned to television.

He is best known for playing the male lead in the Emmy nominated drama series Vanity (Amazon Prime), in which he starred alongside Denise Richards. Other select TV credits include: Desperate Housewives, CSI: NY, Touch, From here on out and Person of Interest, among others. 

Selected film credits include: Mammia Mia the movie! Walk a mile in my Pradas (Netflix) Bright Young Things, Dreamcatcher (Hulu) Trophy Boy (Official entry Cannes Film Festival) The Shuroo Process (Gravitas Ventures)

Up next, will be seen starring in the remake of the classic horror Nosferatu alongside Doug Jones.

Contact Emrhys:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/emrhys.cooper.3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emrhyscooper/
Production company website: http://www.idyllwildpictures.com

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Kai Brothers

Kai was born in Santa Cruz in the 1960’s and spent his early years there with his family, going to school and growing into an out gay person living life to the fullest- starting a career, dating guys and doing whatever theater opportunities that came along.  At 18 he moved to San Francisco to begin his adult life, where he continued his career, finding his community and studying theater at San Francisco State University. Life was good, life was fun. 

Then came HIV/AIDS and he became positive before anyone even knew what was going on.  He was still thriving and continuing his career in technology, eventually buying a home with his partner who he eventually married.  unlike his friends, he didn't succumb to AIDS and found out later that he was a non-progressor.  He survived for 35 years without taking any medication and outlived all his friends who succumbed to AIDS.  So, physically unscathed, but emotionally scarred, he carried on.  He participated in multiple research studies to find out the secrets of long term survivors. 

Having lost the drive to pursue performing arts, he eventually joined the SF Gay Men’s Chorus which brought him back to theater and performing. This was always a huge desire of his but he had let it wane.  Now in his 40’s, he became involved in the San Francisco theater scene, performing in underground shows with The Thrillpeddlers and SF Oasis to larger venues such as the SF opera and New Conservatory Theatre. 

As he approached his 60’s he made a life changing decision to move to Palm Springs.  This new life brought a community and performing opportunities that became a bigger part of his life.  Now retired and doing movies, commercials, dance performance as well as theater, he feels he is living the fullest and most satisfying phase of his life.

He recently played the role of Hank in "Boys in the Band", produced by The Bent Theatre (Palm Springs' newest LGBT Theatre).

To contact Kai: https://www.instagram.com/kaibrosf/?hl=en

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Kai Brothers

Kai was born in Santa Cruz in the 1960’s and spent his early years there with his family, going to school and growing into an out gay person living life to the fullest- starting a career, dating guys and doing whatever theater opportunities that came along.  At 18 he moved to San Francisco to begin his adult life, where he continued his career, finding his community and studying theater at San Francisco State University. Life was good, life was fun. 

Then came HIV/AIDS and he became positive before anyone even knew what was going on.  He was still thriving and continuing his career in technology, eventually buying a home with his partner who he eventually married.  unlike his friends, he didn't succumb to AIDS and found out later that he was a non-progressor.  He survived for 35 years without taking any medication and outlived all his friends who succumbed to AIDS.  So, physically unscathed, but emotionally scarred, he carried on.  He participated in multiple research studies to find out the secrets of long term survivors. 

Having lost the drive to pursue performing arts, he eventually joined the SF Gay Men’s Chorus which brought him back to theater and performing. This was always a huge desire of his but he had let it wane.  Now in his 40’s, he became involved in the San Francisco theater scene, performing in underground shows with The Thrillpeddlers and SF Oasis to larger venues such as the SF opera and New Conservatory Theatre. 

As he approached his 60’s he made a life changing decision to move to Palm Springs.  This new life brought a community and performing opportunities that became a bigger part of his life.  Now retired and doing movies, commercials, dance performance as well as theater, he feels he is living the fullest and most satisfying phase of his life.

He recently played the role of Hank in "Boys in the Band", produced by The Bent Theatre (Palm Springs' newest LGBT Theatre).

To contact Kai: https://www.instagram.com/kaibrosf/?hl=en
Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Kaye Laine is a person of many talents. She has designed clothes for LA music awards, and owned her own clothing line. She has had the opportunity to model in LA fashion week and she once worked as a ring girl in Yuma Arizona. Kaye has modeled in many lookbooks, catalogs, and was even nominated Latin model of the year, though she is not Latin. She was Miss Abril, for Viva Latino America. Partially why she was in modeling, she wanted to know the fashion end of the industry so she can have her own company. Kaye Laine has also been in the entertainment industry. She started out as a young girl performing in plays, musicals, and as she grew a little older, she had the opportunity to do commercials.

She is now a member of SAG-AFTRA, which is the screen actors Guild. Her first speaking role in the film was One More Round, a Kevin Sorbo film, which she plays a judge’s wife. She has been featured in season seven, episode one of The New Girl, as the angry mother. She’s also done a lot of standing work and worked with Joan Cusack, Tig Notaro, along with many other wonderful people. She still strives by doing stand-up comedy at her local area and has worked in Hollywood, studio city, and other parts of Los Angeles and is currently in the Coachella valley.

Kaye Laine has made it to where she is due to the struggles that she has had in her life.

She is a bit of the black sheep of her family,  second oldest of six kids and the only one that’s in the entertainment industry. She struggles in this area because she puts her family first due to the trauma that has hit her in the past. She’s a mother of three kids, the second oldest has autism and she currently is a stay at home mom. She occasionally has a break and does things that she loves:  acting, art, comedy, etc.

Kaye uses her past as a daily boost to move forward. She may be a victim of domestic violence, but it helps her in her daily life. Especially in comedy. And she’s continually looking for ways to help her heal. Surrounding herself with like-minded people, positive places and positive situations. She has used comedy to help herself move forward.  

Everything in Kaye's  life has been a very slow journey, not because she’s just healing because she puts her family first. She continues to work on other projects that help her heal and move forward in life. She’s currently working on a book that reflects on this. It will be posted on her website when it’s published.

Contact Kaye:  http://www.Kayelaine-exclusive.com

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]