As a child, Tamara Robertson spent a large amount of time with her father watching Star Trek and tinkering in the garage – rebuilding engines, up – keeping the family cars, and building / renovating homes. She learned her love of machinery, as well as all things technical, from her time working with her dad. 

With a sharp mind for detail and efficiency, Tamara was able to quickly excel in her career as a licensed Chemical & Biomolecular Engineer which afforded her the ability to truly see the world and gain experience in global tech transfers, process & facilities design, pandemic vaccine manufacturing, patented additive technology development, and product design for some of the top Fortune 500 companies. Tamara has found that she loves to utilize the design and beauty of the world around her to help create designs and tell stories.

Tamara resides in Los Angeles, CA where she continues to work as a Science Host, Engineering Consultant, SAG-AFTRA Actor and Wardrobe Designer. In her downtime she volunteers as a board member for a number of STEM organizations across the US, utilizes Superhero Science to get kids excited about careers in STEM and lends her Science and Maker skills to a number of non-profit organizations. She also enjoys scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing, practicing photography and spending time with her Shop Dog Dexter.

For more information about Tamara and her incredible work visit her website at http://therealtamararobertson.com/about/

To check out her podcast Tinkering Belles: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgsQcc2jU37fkO1lOJ6Q-h_wYPMoXi30L

To check out her new show Maker Science on Midnight Science Club: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKqYWetfL7it3XUjf-OHmQ

John and Irene have written countless books and pieces for stage and screen, including Agnes of God, Choices of the Heart, Hook’s Tale, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, and many more.

To learn more about Irene: ireneogarden.com/

John Peilmeier is an actor, playwright, novelist, poet, and screenwriter with decades of literary achievements. His play Agnes of God was a co-winner of the Great American Play contest and premiered professionally at Actors Theatre of Louisville, which was followed by several regional productions and a seventeen-month run on Broadway.

Choices of the Heart, a television movie he wrote about the slain American missionaries in El Salvador, received a Christopher Award, the Humanitas Award, a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Teleplay, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. He has written over 25 movies for television, including Sins of the Father (which broke viewer records when it was first aired on FX; also nominated for the Humanitas Award and a Writers Guild of America Award); Happy Face Murders (which broke viewer records when it was first aired on Showtime);

To learn more about John: johnpielmeier.com/

welcomestwoliterarypowerhouses,IreneOGardenandJohnPielmeier

Ever wonder what it is like to create a theme park, or design a roller coaster??

Join Tracy for another episode of Books, Kids & Creations where she speaks with Owner and Founder of the International Theme Park Services, Dennis Speigel.

Mr. Speigel's early beginnings in 1960 as a ticket taker / seasonal employee at Coney Island Amusement Park (Cincinnati, Ohio) were the impetus behind his decision to make the theme park business his career. He quickly worked his way to Assistant Park Manager of Coney Island and then Kings Island Theme Park (Cincinnati, Ohio), where, as Assistant General Manager, he supervised general park operations, including personnel, rides, food / beverage, merchandise, games and guest hospitality.

In 1974, Mr. Speigel became the Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion / Lion Country Safari (Richmond, Virginia), which historically draws over 3 million in attendance per year. In addition to overseeing the planning and construction of the park, he administered a $60 million construction budget, utilized his creative marketing skills to establish and implement several long-range marketing / development plans. He was also responsible for managing the park for Taft Broadcasting and the Kroger Company, while generating 11 million in attendance and over $250 million in cumulative revenues from 1974-80. Mr. Speigel also successfully opened Lion Country Safari (a wild animal preserve), achieving an attendance record of 650,000 the first season.

Formerly affiliated with the Taft Broadcasting Company (Cincinnati, Ohio), Mr. Speigel served as Vice President of Operations from 1980-81, during which time he developed a standardized safety and security program, monitored union activity and oversaw activities with the Hanna-Barbera Studios.

As Vice President of International Operations from 1981-83, Mr. Speigel was directly responsible for overseeing and assessing potential leisure sites in foreign markets, including all negotiations, research and development, design, site selection and zoning, as well as securing investors. In these endeavors, he was instrumental in developing project negotiations in Singapore, Australia and Tokyo, and secured a management / design and planning / project development contract in London, England in March, 1983.

Today, Mr. Speigel provides insight to many newspapers and publications around the world. He has been interviewed and quoted by the Wall Street Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Park World, Fun World Magazine, USA Today, Red Book Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Amusement Business and many other local and foreign publications.

Dennis’ Podcast – I’m 4 Fun www.interthemepark.com/im4fun-podcast.html

CALLING ALL DOG LOVERS!!!

New York Times bestselling authors SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt return with the beloved Godwink series (over 1.5M copies in print) with an inspiring dog-focused collection of true stories called Dogwinks (5/4/21). Every chapter focuses on a different, real-life canine who positively impacted their human family’s lives in a miraculous way.

The Hollywood Reporter recently announced that Netflix will produce an original film titled Rescued by Ruby starring Grant Gustin (The Flash) as Trooper Dan O'Neil and this very adorable pup, based on “Ruby,” the first story in the Dogwinks collection. This is an incredible true story of an unruly stray dog who was rescued by a Rhode Island police officer, who now rescues others as a Search & Rescue K9. Ruby’s most newsworthy rescue involved finding a little boy in the woods—the son of the woman who previously took care of Ruby at the dog shelter! SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt will both executively produce the film.

The other true stories in Dogwinks will give readers goosebumps, too—from rescuing babies to saving families from fires—and convey just how special and life-changing dogs are. It’s no wonder pet adoptions have skyrocketed since the pandemic began!

Read/watch more about her on the TODAY Show: www.today.com/pets/godwink-turns…g-k-9-hero-t126841

Link to SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt’s website: godwinks.com

In this fun-filled interview Tracy speaks with Patrick Quinn about empowering kids, creating environments to encourage learning, and brain-foods that can keep your child going!

Patrick Quinn is a parenting expert at Brainly, the world’s largest online learning community. He’s the father of three school-age kids and is also a former middle school special education teacher. Patrick has lived in New York, Hawaii, Arizona, California and Texas and is the co-founder of “Life of Dad” as well as the creator of a television show on Nickelodeon, International called “The Spyders.” In his free time he enjoys hiking with his family, swimming and writing.

agency.lifeofdad.com/

brainly.com

Loretta Claiborne was born partially blind, intellectually challenged, and unable to walk or talk until the age of four. Eventually, though, she began to run. And before she knew it, she had crossed the finish line of twenty-six marathons, twice placing among the top one-hundred women in the Boston Marathon. She introduced President Bill Clinton at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games, won medals in dozens of its events, and holds the current women's record in her age group for the 5000 meters at seventeen minutes.

Considering all of Claiborne's achievements, these are just small steps in her life's mission to show that persons with intellectual and physical disabilities are equal to those without.

Running is not the only part of Claiborne's life. She holds a 4th-degree black belt in karate, communicates in four languages, including American Sign Language, and holds three honorary doctorate degrees from Quinnipiac University, Villanova University, and York College of Pennsylvania, making her the first person with an intellectual disability known to receive such honors, according to Special Olympics Incorporated.

Website: www.lorettaclaiborne.com/

"Music: www.bensound.com"

STAR WARS FANS GET READY.....

This interview will be out of this world!!!

Elsa Charretier is a French comic book writer, illustrator and comic book artist who has worked on a

Self-taught, and after debuting on Cowl (Image Comics) in 2014, she co-created the award-winning The

Clients include Random House (GGRM's Windhaven graphic novel), DC Comics (Harley Quinn, Starfire...),

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCNGQYWmnSwhhf8wYFoicR0g

Join Tracy Blom in this one-of-a-kind interview with Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet. Here they discuss the various ways that ballet transforms the soul, creates a place of peace, and instills valuable lessons.

Website: https://cballet.org/staff/victoria-morgan/

VICTORIA MORGAN

THE SUE & BILL FRIEDLANDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Sponsor: Barbara & Larry Kellar

Over the past 23 years, Cincinnati Ballet has experienced tremendous growth and critical success under the leadership of Victoria Morgan. Today she is one of only four female Artistic Directors of U.S. ballet companies with an annual operating budget of $10 million or more. In 2008, Morgan took on the additional role of executive leader, serving as both the Artistic Director and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet. Under her leadership, after many years of growing deficits, the Company stabilized, built an $13 million endowment, a $1.5 million operating reserve, and created major artistic productions that redefined the caliber of repertoire for Cincinnati Ballet. Morgan’s vision to lead Cincinnati Ballet into a vibrant and confident future is famed by the Company’s tour to the Joyce Theater in New York and the tour to the Kennedy Center in D.C. During her tenure at Cincinnati Ballet, Morgan choreographed numerous one-act and full-length ballets. Her most widely acclaimed works include the world premieres of King Arthur’s Camelot in 2014 and the new Nutcracker in 2011. Her newly choreographed Cinderella premiered in February 2016. Prior to coming to Cincinnati Ballet, Morgan was resident choreographer for the San Francisco Opera for nearly a decade. She was a principal dancer for San Francisco Ballet (1978–1987) and Ballet West (1969–1978). She performed lead roles for television and film, and her choreography was featured in the PBS documentary The Creation of O.M.O. She served on the boards of Dance/USA, Dance Magazine, and the NEA evaluation panel. She has been presiding judge for the New York International Ballet Competition, the Benois de la Danse Awards Gala in Russia, and The Valentina Kozlova IBC this past summer. Morgan graduated Magna Cum Laude with an M.F.A. from University of Utah and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna in 2009. She was honored as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2009, received recognition from Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s WE Celebrate Women’s Business Awards, and served as a member of Leadership Cincinnati USA Class 33.

"Music: www.bensound.com"

@copyright by Authors On the Air

Join Tracy Blom in this one-of-a-kind interview with Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet. Here they discuss the various ways that ballet transforms the soul, creates a place of peace, and instills valuable lessons.

Website: https://cballet.org/staff/victoria-morgan/

VICTORIA MORGAN

THE SUE & BILL FRIEDLANDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Sponsor: Barbara & Larry Kellar

Over the past 23 years, Cincinnati Ballet has experienced tremendous growth and critical success under the leadership of Victoria Morgan. Today she is one of only four female Artistic Directors of U.S. ballet companies with an annual operating budget of $10 million or more. In 2008, Morgan took on the additional role of executive leader, serving as both the Artistic Director and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet. Under her leadership, after many years of growing deficits, the Company stabilized, built an $13 million endowment, a $1.5 million operating reserve, and created major artistic productions that redefined the caliber of repertoire for Cincinnati Ballet. Morgan’s vision to lead Cincinnati Ballet into a vibrant and confident future is famed by the Company’s tour to the Joyce Theater in New York and the tour to the Kennedy Center in D.C. During her tenure at Cincinnati Ballet, Morgan choreographed numerous one-act and full-length ballets. Her most widely acclaimed works include the world premieres of King Arthur’s Camelot in 2014 and the new Nutcracker in 2011. Her newly choreographed Cinderella premiered in February 2016. Prior to coming to Cincinnati Ballet, Morgan was resident choreographer for the San Francisco Opera for nearly a decade. She was a principal dancer for San Francisco Ballet (1978–1987) and Ballet West (1969–1978). She performed lead roles for television and film, and her choreography was featured in the PBS documentary The Creation of O.M.O. She served on the boards of Dance/USA, Dance Magazine, and the NEA evaluation panel. She has been presiding judge for the New York International Ballet Competition, the Benois de la Danse Awards Gala in Russia, and The Valentina Kozlova IBC this past summer. Morgan graduated Magna Cum Laude with an M.F.A. from University of Utah and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna in 2009. She was honored as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2009, received recognition from Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s WE Celebrate Women’s Business Awards, and served as a member of Leadership Cincinnati USA Class 33.

"Music: www.bensound.com" 

@copyright by Authors On the Air

Shary Williamson

Join Tracy Blom as she interviews children's author Shary Williamson, creator of the Woodland Elves Series which has been sold 92 countries and inspired countless magical experiences. Each book promotes important lessons of unity, creativity, and finding a sincere connection to nature. Behind her books is a team of wonderful creators including illustrator Jay Johnston, and creative coordinator and musician Russ Kendall.

Shary Williamson’s career as an educator spanned four decades in Florida, Virginia and Ohio. She graduated from Miami University in 1967 and later received a master’s degree in early childhood education. Though she taught children from pre-school through high school, her first love and focus for 25 years has been in early childhood education.

Shary has often been recognized for her exemplary work, most notably as District Educator of the Year, Ohio PTA Outstanding Educator of the Year, American Red Cross Clara Barton Award for Education and The Ohio Department of Education Leadership Award.

"Music: www.bensound.com"