Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Jessica Leonard's worked in some of New York's most storied restaurants: Daniel, 11 Madison Park, the James Beard House, but it was her love of chocolate that inspired her to go out on her own. In February, 2018, she opened Miss Maude's Bar of Chocolates in her home state of Virginia. The name refers to Virginia native Miss Maude who came of age in the Roaring 20s and left home for the big city, to among other pursuits, find the world's best chocolates. Jessica's added her brand to that list. Find out more in our mouth-watering conversation with this enthusiastic, adventurous entrepreneur.

Polly Draper does it all. She's an awarding-winning actress, writer, producer and director. Probably best known to fans as Ellyn Warren in the 80's tv hit Thirtysomething, Polly was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1998 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a drama series. Her latest project: STELLA'S LAST WEEKEND. She wrote, directed, and stars in the movie, which also features her 2 sons, Nat and Alex Wolff. We talk about the personal and professional in this open, honest, conversation with yet another accomplished, creative woman.

Jackie Rivera describes herself as a nomadic, theater-maker who acts, directs, stage manages and designs, and as such, is part of The Syndicate. This NYC-based ensemble theater company's mission is to "produce new plays by women, queer and trans artists." It advocates for diversity in how and which stories it tells. Jackie has plenty of stories of her own to tell - unique, quirky and heartening.

Pat Addiss didn't start out wanting to be a theatrical producer. She was busy running the promotion company she founded, but after 30 years, she handed the reins over to her daughter. Then in 2005, after 'learning the tools of the trade,' Pat went on to produce more than 18 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including: Spring Awakening, Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike and Desperate Measures. And...she's never looked back!

Molly Carr might be a millennial, but boy has she got some resume! She's a professional violist, chamber musician, educator and the founder/director of Project: Music Heals Us. Created in 2014, this non-profit provides free, live musical performances in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, homeless shelters and refugee camps. We guarantee you'll be inspired and awed by this incredibly talented, creative woman!

A theatrical press agent for 40 years, Susan Schulman has worked with some of Broadway's most talented folks: Yul Brynner, Zero Mostel, Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Alec Baldwin, Glenn Close. Susan's chronicled her rich and rewarding career in her book, "Backstage Pass to Broadway: True Tales from a Theater Press Agent," published in 2013. Now comes, "Backstage Pass to Broadway: More True Tales." Join us as Susan talks tales and more in this engaging, lively conversation.

Making a return engagement is the classy, accomplished, multi-talented singer/songwriter Vivian Sessoms. And once again, we cover a lot of territory. In a beautiful tribute, Vivian shares the impact the iconic Aretha Franklin had and has on her both personally and professionally. And...she also talks about the impetus for her new, powerful double-album LIFE, scheduled to be released on Baby Buddha/Ropeadope November 2nd.

Money matters to Jill Schlesinger. And to that end, the Certified Financial Planner covers the economy, markets, investing and whatever else contains a $-sign. An Emmy-nominated Business Analyst for CBS News, she shares her expertise on the network's radio and tv stations across the country. You'll want to make time to listen to Jill's jaw-dropping, but empowering stories about what it's been like to be a woman in a man's world.  

This week, we revisit our episode with singer-songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker Rhonda Ross Kendrick. Her parents are music industry icons. Mom is Diana Ross; dad is Motown founder and hit maker Berry Gordy. The oldest of Diana's 5 children, Rhonda's maternal half-sister is actress Tracee Ellis Ross. So...put your 'to do' list on the back burner and spend the next 30+minutes with a very classy, refreshingly honest, creative woman.