Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

According to the National Restaurant Association, only 19% of chefs in the U.S. are women. You're about to meet one of them. Susan Spicer has been dubbed a one-woman industry in New Orleans. She is the chef/owner of 3 Big Easy restaurants: Mondo, Rosedale and the French Quarter's culinary landmark, Bayona. Inducted into the James Beard Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America and a member of the Culinary Hall of Fame, Susan shares her passion and drive to prepare creative classic dishes, while expanding on local culinary traditions.

Meet Lucie Canzoniero, who certainly has the creative street cred, just not the age. Lucie is a freshman at New York City's prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts Her major is technical theater, but she has many interests and talents. They include: photography, film and....wrestling! Lucie started taking pictures about 4 years ago. Last Spring she had the opportunity to accompany her dad to India where he was working on a documentary about an organization that helps girls, rescued from sex trafficking, get jobs and start new lives. Lucie, took lots of pictures and says the experience was inspirational and sparked in her a desire to "take pictures for the rest of my life." She'd better! You're in store for a very refreshing, open, honest conversation with one very classy female.

Although state courts handle more than 95% of all court cases in the U.S., a report from the American Constitution Society found that white men comprise 58% of state court judges; less than 33% are women and 20% are people of color. You're about to meet one of the 33%. Although recently retired, Joan Lobis spent more than 30 years on the bench, 26 as a New York State Supreme Court Judge. Her election to Civil Court in 1988 made Joan the first openly gay female judge in New York and then on the Supreme Court. She was one of the founding members of the New York City Bar Association's Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. We cover a lot of territory during a conversation you won't want to miss.

Singer-songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, Rhonda Ross Kendrick is a force to be reckoned with. 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.

Ellen Tilem knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a Cantor. In Jewish tradition the Cantor is a musician trained in the vocal arts, who along with the Rabbi, leads the congregation in prayer. But there's so much more for Cantor Tilem. She's been a member of the clergy at Temple Emeth, a reform congregation in Teaneck, New Jersey since 1994 following her Ordination from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion - School of Sacred Music. She officiates at weddings, funerals and baby namings. And, as an experienced Pastoral Counselor she connects with congregants who are struggling with life's challenges: grief, spirituality, illness, divorce. Join us as Cantor Tile shares her personal and professional stories.

You're about to meet activist, scholar, educator, critic, writer and publisher, Debbie Reese, Ph.D., an enrolled member of Northern New Mexico's Nambe Pueblo tribe. Her research and writing are centered on how Native Americans are represented in children's literature - from books for infants, through and including the young adult genre. She is the author of the critically acclaimed blog, American Indians in Children's Literature. This is one hell of an eye-opening, powerful and long overdue conversation.

You're about to meet activist, scholar, educator, critic, writer and publisher, Debbie Reese, Ph.D., an enrolled member of Northern New Mexico's Nambe Pueblo tribe. Her research and writing are centered on how Native Americans are represented in children's literature - from books for infants, through and including the young adult genre. She is the author of the critically acclaimed blog, American Indians in Children's Literature. This is one hell of an eye-opening, powerful and long overdue conversation.

Meet Michelle Materre, who during her 30+ year career, has amassed the following credits: producer, writer, arts administrator, distribution and marketing specialist and professor. For more than 20 years, her critically acclaimed film series,"Creatively Speaking," has been a respected forum for presenting works by and about women and people of color. Michelle is also a Associate Professor of Media Studies and Film at The New School. This creative woman has plenty to share, so sit back and enjoy this conversation.

Meet Michelle Materre, who during her 30+ year career, has amassed the following credits: producer, writer, arts administrator, distribution and marketing specialist and professor. For more than 20 years, her critically acclaimed film series,"Creatively Speaking," has been a respected forum for presenting works by and about women and people of color. Michelle is also a Associate Professor of Media Studies and Film at The New School. This creative woman has plenty to share, so sit back and enjoy this conversation.

Meet Michelle Materre, who during her 30+ year career, has amassed the following credits: producer, writer, arts administrator, distribution and marketing specialist and professor. For more than 20 years, her critically acclaimed film series, "Creatively Speaking," has been a respected forum for presenting works by and about women and people of color. Michelle is also a Associate Professor of Media Studies and Film at The New School. This creative woman has plenty to share, so sit back and enjoy this conversation.