"Love's A Secret Weapon" Podcast

“For you are a magnet and I am steel.” Sound familiar? Those unforgettable lyrics come from the 1978 Billboard Top 10 hit “Magnet and Steel", written and performed by Walter Egan — and in this special episode, he joins Donna and Dr. Adam in conversation!

Walter takes us on a journey starting in New York with his surf rock band The Malibooz, followed by five years with the Washington D.C.-based group Sageworth. After relocating to Los Angeles, he became a gigging musician, eventually crossing paths with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The Fleetwood Mac duo produced Walter’s debut album , and then teamed up with him again for his second album, Not Shy – featuring the iconic “Magnet and Steel,” with Stevie on background vocals and Lindsey on guitar.

Walter shares what it was like to collaborate with two rising legends of rock, how Stevie Nicks inspired his biggest hit, and what he’s learned from over five decades of songwriting, performing, and creating.

And as a special treat, don’t miss the end of the episode – where Donna and Walter share their duet of “Magnet and Steel” just for you.

Come spend Valentine’s Day with Donna and Dr Adam and special guest Domenic Priore! Domenic is a writer and expert in ‘60s popular music and youth culture. In this episode, the trio take a trip down the rabbit hole to 1960s Los Angeles through five of Domenic’s books: Riot on Sunset Strip, a chronicle of the electrifying rise and fall of the Sunset Strip music scene; Pacific Ocean Park, a history of the famed Santa Monica mid-century amusement park; Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson’s Lost Masterpiece, the story of perhaps the most famous unfinished album in the history of music; Pop Surf Culture, a history of surf and youth culture of the ‘50s and ‘60s including our favorite Beach Party movies; and Pop Sixties, Domenic’s collaboration with Donna! If you’re a mid-century aficionado with a modern twist, come spend some time with Love’s A Secret Weapon Podcast, now in its 7th season!

We think it’s almost Christmas time! In this holiday special and sixth season finale, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by Gaylord Fields! Gaylord is a longtime host on WFMU, a DJ, and writer whose eclectic interests in music span genres and generations. In conversation, Gaylord shares how music has been a throughline throughout his life and career, and the trio share some Christmas memories. Gaylord also spins Donna’s holiday recordings, including her first single when she was nine years old and her most recent holiday classic!

It's time for the Girls! In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by DJ Glynis Ward, host of WFMU "Crayons to Perfume", a weekly radio show dedicated to girl groups and women artists from the '60s.

In conversation, Glynis shares how she became a champion of the girl group sound, having started as a DJ and writer in Canada. Along the way, you'll be introduced to garage rock rarities like the all-female Daughters of Eve, and reacquainted with The Supremes. Plus the trio bridge the cultural divide, with Glynis spinning tales and tracks from the Canadian Michèle Richard, Little Pattie from Australia, and of course some Northern Soul classics from your host Donna.

Music – and Girl Power – transcend all boundaries!

Are you a fan of classic film and television? Well, Donna and Dr Adam have you covered when they are joined by two very special guests: Scott Morrow and Shannon Allen! As a child actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Scott “Scotty” Morrow played Hope Lange’s brother in the film “Peyton Place” and was seen in classic shows “The Donna Reed Show”, “Wagon Train”, “Lassie”, and “My Three Sons”. Shannon Allen is a podcaster and writer with her popular podcast “Vanguard of Hollywood”, where she gets up close and personal with the films and stars of the Golden Age. In conversation, Scott shares what it was like to share the screen and studio with legends Lana Turner, George Montgomery, Richard Chamberlain, Ethel Waters…and his friend Marilyn Monroe! While Shannon, as an expert on all things Hollywood, shares stories from that classic time. Plus, Scott lets us into his current career as a photographer and Shannon shares her secrets for cooking, Hollywood style.

To learn more about Scott and Shannon, you can purchase the bestselling book “Made in Hollywood: The Scott Morrow Story” and visit Shannon’s website VanguardofHollywood.com

Ep 83 Part 1

Come along with Donna and Dr Adam and experience the famous ancient village of Alberobello in Southern Italy with its well-preserved Trulli houses in this special video episode!

From Donna:

Ep 83 Part 2

Ciao, Love’s A Secret Weapon community! Fancy a summer vacation in Italy? Back in June and July, Dr Adam was travelling around Europe – and Donna and Dr Adam thought you might like to come along! They caught up twice: once in Alberobello in Southern Italy, and this one in Milan before he headed home.

Celebrate Shindig’s 60th Birthday (Sept 16, 1964-2024) on “Love’s a Secret Weapon” Podcast❤️ with a replay of Chapter 7 part 3 of Donna's Memoir: "Tales of Shindig!" But wait! There’s more❣️ If this perks your curiosity, Chapter 7, Parts 1-4 reveal my entire Shindig! Experience

❤️Go Donna and Dr Adam🎊🎉

Onstage and backstage, Donna relishes her role on Shindig being surrounded by the likes of The Righteous Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner and Bobby Sherman.

JUST THE 2 OF US:

In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam Gerace are joined by musician and author Jim Wilson to talk about his new book “Tuned In: Memoirs of a Piano Man”!

Jim has had distinct, but complementary careers as both a musician and performer alongside his work as an expert piano tuner-technician to music royalty, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, and Carole King.

In conversation with Donna and Dr Adam, Jim shares his journey from being a young boy in Amarillo, Texas to his work in California as the go-to-person transforming the Steinways of legends with a revolutionary MIDI-adaptor for acoustic piano. Along the way, tragedy drove his desire to face his fears and follow his dreams of stepping into the limelight as an award-winning and charting musician with four recordings on the Billboard Top-20 and two PBS specials.