Entertaining Insights with Dr. Nancy Berk

Broadway veteran, Tony Award winner, and The Actors Fund Chairman of the Board Brian Stokes Mitchell joins Nancy to discuss Broadway, the power of the arts during the pandemic, his recovery from COVID-19 and the popular window concerts that earned him a viral audience, his creative career, including the early days of Trapper John, M.D., and the new PBS series In Concert At The Hollywood Bowl. Plus, Brian shares background details on The Actors Fund as well as information on the important and increasing emergency needs of entertainment professionals being addressed by the organization (1:32).

In the second segment, Nancy talks playwriting, short play popularity, and exploring the process with arts content creator, theater insider, and playwright Robin Rothstein (35:50).

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Learn more about The Actors Fund.

Find out more about In Concert At The Hollywood Bowl.

Music by Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Listen to Nancy's episodes with Kelli O'Hara and Sutton Foster.

Learn more about Robin Rothstein.

Find out more about Playwrights' Center and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:12, 35:40). Check out Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

Writer and humorist Peggy Rowe joins Nancy to discuss her latest New York Times Bestseller About Your Father And Other Celebrities I Have Known, writing inspiration, creative productivity, family influences, and how fans of her son Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) got a glimpse of her humor and helped push her to write even more (1:16).

Plus, Nancy talks writing strategy, the power of deadlines, writers' block, and moving forward with celebrity and show business book author Mark Bego (39:30).

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Follow Peggy Rowe's Facebook Page. Find out more about Peggy's books.

Listen to our earlier interview with Peggy Rowe and Mike Rowe

Find out more about Mike Rowe's new Discovery show 6 Degrees in this Today interview.

Find more books by Mark Bego.

Learn more about Scrivener, the app for writers that Nancy discussed with Mark.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor HumorOutcasts.com.(1:08, 39:22).

Karamo joins Nancy to discuss the importance of self-focus and self-care, how being one of the hosts of Netflix's Queer Eye has allowed him to help others and better understand himself, and why he has chosen to discuss his struggle with migraine headaches to help educate others (1:26). Plus, Nancy corners Karamo to find out if her loved one's fanny pack is a fashion do or don't.

And Nancy talks New Year's resolutions, practical goal-setting, building better habits, cutting yourself a break and finding your strengths with women's marketing expert, actress and author Mary Lou Quinlan (18:03).

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Listen to Karamo's podcast. Find out more about I Am Perfectly Designed and Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing and Hope.

Find out more about KnowMigraineMission.com and Karamo's migraine experience.

Watch Karamo on Netflix's Queer Eye.

Books by Mary Lou Quinlan.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:04,17:52).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Vicki Lawrence joins Nancy to discuss her journey from high school to The Carol Burnett Show and beyond, the popularity of her character Thelma Harper, Bob Mackie wardrobe moments, and working with comedy legends (1:35).

Plus, Vicki and Nancy talk about Vicki's two-woman show Vicki Lawrence & Mama and her work with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as a spokesperson for chronic idiopathic urticaria (chronic hives) and their educational campaign CIU & You.

And…Nancy's take on air fryer popularity and kitchen gadget obsession from her holiday humor column for Shady Ave Magazine (32:07).

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Watch Vicki Lawrence sketches on The Carol Burnett Show.

Find out more about CIU & You.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:14, 31:55).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

America's Got Talent winner Darci Lynne and her mother Misty Farmer join Nancy to talk about the power of family, Christmas, Darci's career journey, music in their family, extreme togetherness, and filming The Spin with Darci Lynne and Nickelodeon's Unfiltered from home during the pandemic (1:56).

In the second segment, ventriloquist, coach and entertainment producer Gary Owen shares creative gift ideas for beginning and advanced performers as well as those who might be open to testing the waters, and the value in exploring the arts (34:38).

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Darci Lynne's earlier podcast episodes: 2016 interview and 2017 interview.

Watch The Spin with Darci Lynne.

See Darci Lynne on Nickelodeon's Unfiltered.

Watch Darci Lynne's AGT audition and golden buzzer moment. Follow Darci on Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

Find out more about Gary Owen.

Find used puppets and other products in ventriloquism and novelty arts via Ventriloquist Swap Meet on Facebook.

Professional puppets, dummies, and other resources: MAT, The Dummy Shoppe, Handemonium, Axtell Expressions, Phillips Puppets.

Find out more about the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist Convention. And check out the Vent Haven Museum. It's the world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:35, 34:25).

Tony Award winner and Emmy and Grammy nominee Kelli O'Hara joins Nancy to discuss her career journey, Broadway, creative decision-making, Christmas traditions, and the upcoming special Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O'Hara and Richard Thomas that channels the beauty of the holiday season (1:21).

Plus, Kelli and Nancy discuss routine shifts and changes during these isolating times, and ways to lend support to those in the arts impacted by the pandemic.

In the second segment, Nancy shares some livestream holiday entertainment ideas for December and a gift suggestion for the rock and roll fan on your gift list (24:03).

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Find out more about Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O'Hara and Richard Thomas:

Premiering December 14th at 9 pm ET on PBS (check local listings) and premiering December 17th at 8 pm ET on BYUtv.org

Watch Kelli O'Hara in The Accidental Wolf.

Kelli O'Hara's music.

Find out more about The Actors Fund and Say.org.

Livestream Events

Multiple December dates: Jim Brickman's Comfort & Joy At Home Virtual Holiday Tour 2020.

December 12: Andrea Boccelli performs from Italy's Royal Theater.

December 12: Englebert Humperdinck hosts his Christmas Special from his home.

December 18: Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve and Other Stories Livestream Event.

Get more information about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Rock Hall Virtual Membership.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:00, 23:52).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

Folk legend and Grammy winner Noel Paul Stookey joins Nancy to discuss the power of music to create social awareness and change, his journey as one-third of the beloved '60s folk music trio Peter, Paul, and Mary and their hits like "If I Had a Hammer" "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Blowin' in The Wind" that quickly became empowering songs during the difficult times of that decade. Plus, Noel discusses the story behind his popular "Wedding Song (There is Love)" and its contribution in fostering the non-profit Music to Life, and his future tour plans (1:53).

In the second segment, Elizabeth Stookey Sunde talks with Nancy about growing up with a famous musician and musical influencer, co-founding the non-profit Music to Life with her father Noel Paul Stookey, her work as its executive director and helping music work for change, and the organization's new album Hope Rises featuring 15 activist artists of diverse backgrounds, genres, and styles (35:06).

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Listen to the "Wedding Song (There is Love)."

Find out more about the programs offered by Music to Life.

Watch a Music to Life House Concert with Noel Paul Stookey.

Check out Noel Paul Stookey's At Home: The Maine Tour.

Listen to "Cabin Fever Waltz".

Find more Entertaining Insights episodes with Noel Paul Stookey.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:32, 34:55).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

Emmy Award-winning television, film and stage actor Richard Thomas joins Nancy to discuss acting and career balance, his creative journey from his role as the beloved John-Boy Walton on The Waltons to more recent roles in hit series like The Americans and Billions, and the upcoming holiday special and PBS tradition Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O'Hara and Richard Thomas. Plus, Richard and Nancy talk about the comfort in celebrating the season with music and traditions, his latest project, filming changes during the pandemic, and why he loved playing The Americans' FBI Special Agent Frank Gaad (1:44).

In the second segment, Nancy offers a few simple tips to help make the holidays and Thanksgiving a bit brighter (39:46).

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Find out more about Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir featuring Kelli O'Hara and Richard Thomas:

Premiering December 14th at 9 pm ET on PBS (check local listings)

Premiering December 17th at 8 pm ET on BYUtv.org

Watch Richard Thomas in The Waltons and The Americans.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:24, 39:30).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's latest book The Most Powerful You.

Artist and actress Angela Cartwright joins Nancy to discuss her childhood roles in the beloved film The Sound of Music, and television favorites Lost in Space and Make Room for Daddy, the importance of friendships and communication, and her real life role as a grandmother. Plus, Angela shares the story behind The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook and her books Styling The Stars with co-author Tom McLaren and Lost (and Found) in Space with co-star Bill Mummy, and her 2019 return to Lost in Space in an appearance on the Netflix series' remake (1:32).

In the second segment, Nancy reviews entertaining ideas and opportunities for parents and grandparents to share with the kids in their lives including the new children's picture book Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus (36:00).

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Find Angela Cartwright on Cameo and Instagram.

Check out some of Angela's books:

The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook (55th Anniversary Edition). For autographed books and photos see AngelaCartwrightStudio.com.

Styling the Stars: Lost Treasures from the Twentieth Century Fox Archive

More on Angela's original art designs.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:12, 35:42).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's new book The Most Powerful You.

Rocker Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, and wife and manager Ami Negron join Nancy to discuss the challenges of performing and maintaining fan engagement during the pandemic, Chuck's recovery journey, their Three Dog Nightmare book club, and recent wedding. Plus, Ami shares some of her solo creative projects (1:24).

And in the second segment, Nancy reviews the power of embracing tech adventures and updates listeners on her latest virtual projects including a comedy event (Erma's Got Talent the Stand-up Auditions) and writers' workshop (33:29).

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Watch Chuck and Ami's wedding video.

Follow Chuck Negron on Facebook.

Find out more about Ami's Rock N Pop Shop.

Get information on alcohol and substance abuse and mental health resources via the Centers for Disease Control.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line

Cri-Help

Watch Nancy host Erma's Got Talent the Stand-up Auditions.

Find out more about the Virtual Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop on Crowdcast.

Visit Nancy's website.

Learn about segment sponsor the Finding Brave podcast with host Kathy Caprino (1:04, 33:18).

Find out more about Kathy Caprino's new book The Most Powerful You.