Today I'm in the studio with actor and television journalist Jake Reiner - and we talk about his beloved grandfather, Carl Reiner;  Dodgers baseball, his move to Los Angeles from Houston to pursue his acting career;  his ongoing web series called 'Beyond Hope' and his new  baseball podcast 'Meeting on the Mound'. Jake discusses covering Hurricane Harvey while at KPRC TV in Houston; news and sports reporting at CBS Los Angeles; his work on 'Investigation Discovery'; shooting a movie on Zoom and co-hosting a Dodgers podcast called 'The Incline'. He also describes a very special interview on his upcoming podcast with both his father, Rob and his late grandfather, Carl. It's a special interview you don't want to miss!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

I'm calling it a 'retrospective resurgence' this week with Nashville's Emmy winning video editor Steve Boyle. He stops by the studio to talk about the legendary musicians from one of his earliest video making venues - Raleigh, NC.  Steve, who makes a living making very cool videos for rock stars, sits down and talks up everything from new music from Raleigh music makers Jack Cornell, Gardners of Soule, The Spongetones and The OAK Team; to the Georgia Satellites and their ties to the Raleigh music scene; to making music videos for Garth Brooks. Steve describes how he is making videos during the pandemic, including his recent work with country music singer-songwriter Radney Foster. 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Today I'm in the studio talking with Gloria Zenteno, founder and president of Barrio Dogs in Houston, an animal welfare group whose goal is to not only help stray and neglected animals in the city, but also offer resources to help the people who care for them. Stressing the importance of education and community, Gloria talks about the many ways her group reaches out to the communities in the Greater East End; of her dedicated staff and partners who work tirelessly with  www.barriodogs.org; about her calling as an animal activist; and a little about her beloved musical family, The Zenteno's. It's an episode about community that you don't want to miss!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Guess I can say this television reporter has just about seen it all!  I'm in the studio with NBC News Channel reporter and producer Mark Barger, who is celebrating his 30 years covering news. I mean, he's got stories! He talks about covering some of the biggest stories in television news and entertainment since starting his career with the network in Charlotte, NC; his early beginnings of news reporting in the Raleigh-Durham market with WQDR FM and WPTF TV; his fast thinking backstage maneuver on the set of Saturday Night Live (plus reporting on the show's 40th Anniversary shindig); his favorite locale for the NBC Olympics and tosses in a few of his favorite celebrity interviews. He also offers some sound advice for aspiring radio and television journalists. Enjoy!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

This week I'm with the very entertaining Emmy nominated actress and North Carolina native Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue/Sylvia Sipowitz; Grey's Anatomy; Desperate Housewives) as we talk about her growing up in Raleigh with her parents (her dad, Tom Lawrence, was a television reporter for then CBS affiliate WRAL TV5) to her years working in New York on Broadway, to her successful career in Hollywood; plus all about her new movie 'A Christmas House' premiering this month on Hallmark Channel USA! The  versatile actress and advocate discusses how more women than ever are making the decisions in Hollywood, and shares her many stories on the craft of acting, writing and directing. Don't miss it!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Kicking off Season Two of Spotlight Conversations is producer, radio host, podcaster and morning show guru Jim Beazy - also known around Houston, TX as 'Jimbo' of the Madd Hatta Morning Show on KBXX 97.9 The Box. The multi talented master of parodies sits down in the studio and talks about making the successful transition to the world of podcasting, including his new podcast creation 'Crispy Coated Robots; a new morning gig called  'The Jimbo Show' on internet station 'Houston Radio Platinum'; plus all about his band 'The Surrealtors'. (he's also a skilled  juggler too - but that's a whole other podcast!)

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

This week, it's all about branding, marketing, radio, podcasting, health and wellness, all wrapped up in a tidy bundle with my guest Jay Nachlis. He talks of how his radio days as a program director led to his current work as the Marketing Director with media research firm 'Coleman Insights' in North Carolina; how he works in a side hustle as a voice talent; what's with his book 'Never Trust A Grown Man With A Ponytail; How A Regular Guy Lived A Rockstar Life' (I mean, right?); plus the inspiration for his new wellness/mental health podcast 'Do This, Feel Better'. Join me in the studio for this entertaining and insightful episode. 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

This week, Lone Star 92.5 Dallas radio veteran Ted Mckay (also known as The Rock Professor), joins me in the studio to talk about his new show 'Throwback Thursday' on Radio Free Raleigh; his love of classic rock and rock trivia, plus a few backstage stories. Direct and humble, he also discusses the radio industry, the new internet radio boom and his charity work in Dallas with 'Paws in the City' (www.pawsinthecity.org). Tune in and enjoy!

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Today we're in the studio with Brandon Baca, CEO of the Houston based charity 'Attack Poverty'. Brandon talks of how his unique team and the local communities work together to help others; by building strategies for the community and with the community; and by working with area partners and foundations to find solutions to poverty. The global organization led by Brandon and his Disaster Recovery Team continue to help families during the pandemic and hurricane disasters with supplies, financial assistance and job skills. Here's your opportunity to tune in - and then volunteer at www.attackpoverty.org !

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...

Houston rock radio legend Dayna Steele talks about her inspiring book 'Surviving Alzheimer's With Friends, Facebook and a Really Big Glass of WIne'. The Texas Radio Hall of Famer and former Rock 101 KLOL alum talks openly and candidly about her mothers' Alzheimer's diagnosis. Chronicling two years of caring for her mom in the book (pulled from posts and comments on Facebook) Dayna talks family, friends and community struggling to come to terms with the disease. (The book is now her one woman play 'The Woman in the Mirror'). As Dayna puts it all out there in the interview, the book - and the play - continue to let caregivers know they aren't alone as they work through a loved ones Alzheimer's diagnosis. 

About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:

Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the media spotlight, we're talking! Refreshingly unscripted and always entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. So settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! 

New episodes drop every other Tuesday. 

Listen to Donna every night as she shares her fave Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum (get the app for the station in your App Store!) Then hang out for her evening seqment on the show called 'Late Night Spotlight'- intimate, unscripted interviews with guests from the entertainment industry, airing Monday through Friday at 10PM CT/11:00 ET 

Social media links, website and more here
Follow and subscribe here

Booth Announcer: Joe Szymans...