Entertaining Insights with Dr. Nancy Berk

Cory B. Savage joins Nancy to discuss his atypical career journey and new role as CEO of new record label One Vision Music Group (1:26), the power of developing skillsets, the importance of brand strategy, and how authenticity can build the best artists.

Plus Nancy talks with custom guitar builder Ron Mason about his later in life decision to become a luthier and begin his business RWM Guitars (32:39).

Find out more about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast (1:06).

Find out more about Kree Harrison.

Visit Nancy's website.

R&B hitmaker Johnny Gill joins Nancy to discuss the inspiration behind his music and latest album Game Changer II, the debut single "Soul of a Woman" and music video with Tiffany Haddish. And Gill reveals whether we can expect a New Edition reunion (1:23).

Find out more about segment sponsor Rock and Romance Cruise (1:02).

Plus Nancy shares an opportunity for women screenwriters from The Writers Lab— the creative force that is helping to change the age and gender disparity in screenwriting and films (29:51).

Watch the music video for 'Soul of a Woman' featuring Johnny Gill and Tiffany Haddish.

Follow Johnny Gill on Twitter and Instagram.

Visit Nancy's website.

Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and producer Mike Reiss joins Nancy to discuss his career journey including decades with The Simpsons, his books, advice for writers in a competitive industry, (1:37) and upcoming appearance at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (35:10).

Plus Nancy shares a magazine humor column inspired by goats (47:12).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:15).

Check out other books by Mike Reiss here.

Find out more about the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop.

Visit Nancy's website.

Author Amy Ephron joins Nancy to discuss The Other Side of the Wall, the third book in her trilogy for young readers, her creative career, and writing process (1:54). Plus, website developer Rene Morozowich offers some tips and strategies for creating an effective website (31:29).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:34).

Check out Amy's other books here.

Visit Nancy's website.

Comedy Cellar owner Noam Dworman joins Nancy to discuss the history and highlights of the legendary New York City comedy institution, why famous Comedy Cellar alums keep coming back, and the ever-changing world of stand-up (1:27). Plus, television comedy writer, producer and stand-up Joel Madison (Roseanne, Crashing) shares a lesson learned from the comedy stage (37:07).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:07).

Visit Nancy's website.

Comedian Wendy Liebman joins Nancy to discuss her stand-up journey from earlier performances to popular late night show appearances and comedy specials, and the importance of mentoring and being memorable (1:48). Plus, a review of the popular Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (22:00, 25:23) and a humor essay that helped change Nancy's writing world (37:48).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:25).

Find out more about the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop.

Find out more about Wendy Liebman's Locally Grown Comedy.

Watch Wendy Liebman's Taller On TV.

Visit Nancy's website.

Emmy Award-winning cartoonist Cathy Guisewite joins Nancy to discuss the history of her daily comic strip Cathy, finding humor in challenging topics, her creative process, why she ended the popular comic strip after three decades, and her new book Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault (1:45).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:22).

And to kick off the new year, career success and work-life expert Kathy Caprino talks with Nancy about her love-hate relationship with New Year's resolutions and how we can maximize the likelihood of reaching our goals in 2020 (38:21).

Check out more Cathy Guisewite books.

Find out more about the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop.

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's book Breakdown, Breakthrough and her podcast Finding Brave.

Visit our website.

Singer-songwriter Kalie Shorr joins Nancy to discuss her acclaimed album Open Book, the Song Suffragettes and the changing culture for women in music, performing with music idols and finding your unique creative voice (1:31).

Need some last minute gift ideas? Nancy is joined by entertainment writer Megan McLachlan for some entertainment-driven suggestions (29:20).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:11).

Listen to this episode's takeaway tip (49:49).

Visit Nancy's website.

Gift Ideas

Books

The Beautiful Ones by Prince

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Way We Work by Bruce Ferber

Letters from Hollywood by Rocky Lang & Barbara Hall

Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault by Cathy Guisewite

Maybe Kevin by Brian Kiley

Other

Buttered popcorn candle by Stinky Candles

The Anne Bancroft (movie) Collection

Friends-inspired door mat

Frozen-inspired cake pan

Star Wars Porg-inspired pie bird

Game of Thrones-inspired cutting board

Faux fur coat like J. Lo's in Hustlers

Classes and Workshops

Iron City Circus Arts

Handemonium Puppet Making Class

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

Vent Haven International Ventriloquism Convention

Master Class

Food Network Kitchen

Karolyn Grimes joins Nancy to discuss her childhood role as Zuzu Bailey in Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life, working with the director and Jimmy Stewart, and how the film came back into her life decades after its release (1:23).

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:02).

Do you have a little family-driven comedy or stress during the holidays? Maybe you'll recognize a few of these characters from Nancy's humor column. Every gathering has a few (20:19).

Listen to this episode's takeaway tip (23:51).

Visit Nancy's website.

Improv favorite Abby McEnany joins Nancy to discuss her new Showtime series Work in Progress, sharing her very personal story and struggles onscreen, and the importance of creating a dialogue for learning (1:31).

Watch the Work in Progress trailer.

Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:07).

Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office offers up advice on how to get involved in local filmmaking (32:40).

Listen to this episode's takeaway tip (38:51).

Get more information:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Depression

Anxiety