Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Actress Ilana Levine's stage, film and tv career has spanned more than 25 years. On Broadway she's best known as Lucy Van Pelt in the revival of "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown." Among her film credits: "Confessions of a Shopaholic," "Kissing Jessica Stein" and the "Nanny Diaries." TV appearances include "Seinfeld," "Law and Order" and "NYPD Blue." She's now part of the podcast universe having launched "Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine." Some of her celebrity guests are recent Tony winner Reed Birney, Cynthia Nixon, John Slattery and BD Wong. Ilana's interview style is unfiltered and uniquely funny and so is this conversation.

Hear what life is like as Pastry Chef of the venerated Balthazar Bakery - where thousands of croissants, baguettes, scones, breads, tarts, cakes, pies and mini pastries are lovingly made daily at its Englewood, New Jersey 14,000 square foot facility. Amanda Pacheco, who earned degrees in both Culinary and Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales, began working at Balthazar as a pastry cook, worked her way up to sous pastry chef and in 2015, snagged her dream job - Pastry Chef. Amanda, who supervises a staff of 8, gets to work at 5:00am 5 days a week, including holidays - Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Easter. But, it's a labor of love.Grab an iced tea and a galette and check out this mouth-watering conversation.

Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women is excited to offer bonus content from our contributors. First out, our own social media master Melanie Breault offers her true-life story of a New York City apartmnt she credits with saving her life. It's a story of heartache, loss, and creating family in the unlikeliest of places.

Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women is excited to offer bonus content from our contributors. First out, our own social media master Melanie Breault offers her true-life story of a New York City apartmnt she credits with saving her life. It's a story of heartache, loss, and creating family in the unlikeliest of places.

From a young age, sports played an important role in Yolanda Jackson's life and continues to do so today. She's the founder and CEO of Yolanda L. Jackson and Associates, a sports marketing company that represents female athletes - a profession built on 30 years experience. Twenty of those years were spent working at the Women's Sports Foundation - the brainchild of tennis great Billie Jean King. You'll want to hear what Yolanda has to say about the current and future status of women in sports.

Ana Castillo, a poet, award-winning novelist, short story writer, essayist, editor and playwright, is one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary Chicana literature. In her most recent book, Black Dove: Mama, Mi'jo and Me, she details her life as a single, brown, feminist parent, while at the same time, describes her against-all-odds career as a writer and activist. Join us for an enlightening, eye-opening and fascinating conversation.

Priscilla Anany hit the big time - the first time. Her feature, "childreN of the mountaiN," premiered at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. It's the first time a Ghanian film debuted at the prestigious New York event. By the way, she won the Best New Narrative Director Award. Priscilla, who came to the States in 2003, earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina and a Master's in Corporate Communications from NYU.  She divides her time between New York and Ghana where she runs i60Productions, the film company she founded in 2011. There's plenty to talk about - so sit back and tune in.

Allison Michael Orenstein's love affair with a camera began when she was 15 and has been going strong ever since. The New York City-based portrait photographer's work has graced the covers and pages of "Vanity Fair," "Esquire," "People," "Vogue," "Elle," "New York" Magazine, "Art Forum," "The Wall Street Journal," "The Hollywood Reporter," "Billboard," and "Town & Country." She's photographed such notables as Chuck Close, Philip Glass, Stella McCartney, John Waters, Billy Crudup, Amy Schumer - the list goes on and on. Enjoy meeting and hearing from this passionate and very creative woman.

Meet and get to know Anastasia Higginbotham, writer, illustrator and creator of the children's book series, "Ordinary Terrible Things." It tells the stories of youngsters who navigate trouble with "their senses sharp and souls intact. Help may come from family, counselors, teachers and dreams, but it's the children who find their own way." Anastasia's first book, "Divorce is the Worst," published by the Feminist Press was followed by "Death is Stupid." Both books tackle very critical, sensitive topics and are must reads for both children and adults.

Meet and get to know Anastasia Higginbotham, writer, illustrator and creator of the children's book series, "Ordinary Terrible Things." It tells the stories of youngsters who navigate trouble with "their senses sharp and souls intact. Help may come from family, counselors, teachers and dreams, but it's the children who find their own way." Anastasia's first book, "Divorce is the Worst," published by the Feminist Press was followed by "Death is Stupid." Both books tackle very critical, sensitive topics and are must reads for both children and adults.