John Koblin is a journalist who covers media for the New York Times.  He is also the co-author of a fascinating new book on the  story of HBO entitled, “It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO.”   Join us as we do a deep dive into the origins of Home Box Office and the state of television as a result.

She’s rock and roll royalty! Enjoy a conversation with legendary musician and composer Robin Lane.  Robin is the subject of a new documentary entitled “When Things Go Wrong” and is famous for multiple hits with her group Robin Lane and the Chart Busters.  She just cut a new album and has a non-profit organization that actively helps women and others suffering from trauma.

Rachel Silber Devlin has written the most in-depth biography or her late father, the towering figure John Silber.

Meet Master Chef Giovanna Huyke, currently  serving  the most delicious Latin and Puerto Rican cuisine at a Boston area restaurant known as La Fabrica Central.

Joan Wallace-Benjamin is a woman of accomplishment and that is an understatement!   She has served the public sector in a variety of leadership roles with  The  New England Home for Little Wanderers, the ABCD Head start Program, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and as Chief of Staff during the early months of the Governor Duval Patrick administration in Massachusetts.   Through her many years of service she has exemplified good character and leadership traits that many have come to admire.  We commemorate  the publishing of her memoir, Leading a Life in Balance: Principles of Leadership from the Executive Suite to the Family Table with a conversation about what matters most in the board room and at home.

As a proud “Monster Kid,” ( and don’t worry we will define that term ) your fanboy host is proud to welcome Julian David Stone,  a founding member of the MC club, to the podcast.   Julian is a successful screenwriter and documentarian who spends much of his time these days writing books about the coolest of  pop culture topics.

The multifaceted Michael Oren joins us today to talk about his thrilling new WWII novel Swann’s War. Michael is a respected historian, novelist, politician and military veteran who recently served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. He is also one fine storyteller who weaves an exciting tale about a rarely mentioned aspect of the Second World War. We’ll talk a little geopolitics as well with the Ambassador.

Today, we examine how people choose to look and feel better about themselves as we focus on the essence of beauty.  Our guest is nurse practitioner Mary Dealy, owner /operator of BeautoxEtc, a cosmetic dermatology practice located near Boston.  Mary shares with us the  many safe and proven non-surgical  options for looking younger  as well as the visible  emotional lift one receives.

We welcome back one of our favorite Renaissance men,  the inimitable Larry Ruttman. Larry has penned books about baseball, and Jewish American history along with a fascinating memoir covering eight-plus decades of his rich life.  His latest project is a book called Intimate Conversations: Face to Face with Matchless Musicians. We talk about conversations Larry has had with the world’s top classical artists, composers and conductors.  His work offers fresh insights into the hearts and minds of musical geniuses. And together we celebrate the lasting beauty and significance of classical music.

Vincent Paterson is one of the  top choreographers and directors in the nation, with a host of show business accomplishments and milestones.  He tells us about working with countless superstars from Michael Jackson to Madonna.  His memoir  entitled Icons and Instincts: Choreographing  and Directing Entertainment’s Biggest Stars chronicles the career highs and occasional setbacks of one of this era’s most innovative artists. Enjoy stories of Broadway, Hollywood and the exciting world of dance with a masterful storyteller.