In the studio with blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, talking about his new music with blues legend Bobby Rush called  'Old Fashioned Ways', where the music not only spans generations, it brings two legends together in the studio that is special in every blues rock way possible. We also talk about his tour with Bobby;  the early days of teaching himself how to play the guitar, plus how his cool DJ dad from Shreveport LA have him a first look into the world of rock and roll! Bring along those Stratocasters and your love of blues rock and join us!

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...

In Los Angeles to today, chatting with Jamie Jamitkowski, Senior Marketing Manager at Propstore, one of the world's leading film and television memorabilia auction houses. Their first major live auction of 2025 is happening March 26 - March 28 (for guests both in LA and online), so if you are a film fanatic, you gotta be there! From the incredible sets of Ghostbusters to Top Gun, Star Wars to X-Men, Harry Potter and Batman, Jamie talks about those special costumes, extraordinary film-used props and cool collectibles that make up your fave flick or television show. Bring along your love of all things entertainment and join us.

(This program was previously recorded)

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...

Studio ready in Los Angeles today with Emmy Award winning producer and writer Rick Mitchell (The Ellen DeGeneres Show/TMZ) to talk about his new book 'How To Write A Funny Speech...for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want To Go to in the First Place' - yes, he does cover all those nerve wracking/speech making events! Co-written with Emmy and Golden Globe winner Carol Leifer (Hacks) - with a forward by the legendary Carol Burnett! - the book brings together two funny and insightful comedy writers who show you how to speak from the heart while entertaining the crowd at any kind o' shindig.

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...

Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC, the English pop band from the '80s who mixed a bit 'o disco funk, rhythm and blues along with their cool post-punk sound -'Poison Arrow', 'The Look Of Love', 'When Smokey SIngs' - stops by the studio to talk about music and his upcoming tour with Howard Jones! He also gives us the details about his new autobiography (available now - check his website)  'A Lexicon of Life' - about growing up in Manchester; lovin' music, starting his band in Sheffield, and eventually, rocking his mega-stardom status with ABC. Bring your love of the '80s and join us - it's cinematic baby!

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...

In San Francisco this week with noted author and journalist Maria Castellucci Moore, as we talk about her new children's book 'Sophia In Rome'. This second book in her traveling mindfulness series shows how the world around us can inspire curiosity, wonder and surprise whether traveling abroad or right in our own back yard! We also discuss what inspires her as a writer, her love of Italy, plus other books coming in this delightful series for all ages. 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...

Find learning new things difficult? Can't seem to "grasp the material" when it comes to understanding that new way of doing your old job? Relax already! Author, teacher and inventor Gary Dean Petersen stops by the studio to talk about how to answer those questions and more. His award winning book 'The Self-education Manual' presents a logical learning system of proven study methods which you can really master. With dozens of learning scenarios along with colorful graphics and illustrations, Gary describes all the ways that you can "take charge and teach yourself!" when it comes to learning new stuff. We also discuss his many interests outside of writing, including charity work both in and outside the United States; his explanation of cognitive dissonance and how it applies to learning and more. Bring along a fresh approach to learning something new and join us!

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...

In Boston today with entertainment journalist Tripp Whetsell, author of the new book 'Norman Lear: His Life & Times'. A passionate fan of every show Lear created and produced, Whetsell takes us behind the scenes of American retro television and Lear's inspiration for his legendary comedy series All In The Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Good Times to producing films Come Blow Your Horn with Frank Sinatra and Divorce American Style with Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds. This show business biographer and media studies professor at Emerson College (the only college which offers a college major in 'comedy' - along with the Norman Lear Scholarship Fund for aspiring writing students!) is also the author of The Improv; An Oral History of the Comedy Club that Revolutionized Stand-Up (co-written with founder Budd Friedman with a forward by Jay Leno). Whetsell discusses his continuing career as a show business biographer with his new book about Lear, mixing in stories behind Lear's ground breaking comedy series and more. Bring your love of retro and join us!

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...

Visiting London In the studio today with 'The 286', a visionary band mixing rock and roll guitar riffs along with cellos and violins! Sounds different - and it works! This unique sound experience is lead by guitarist Spencer Hannabuss, who discusses everything from how this special band got started, how they built their incredible fan base across the United Kingdom plus how they found the perfect mix of musicians to bring the rock and roll riffs AND the violins and cellos together. Bring along your love of orchestral rock and join us!

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...

In the studio this week with Bruce Blackman, lead singer from the iconic 70's band 'Starbuck' - talking about his music then and now - including his new single 'Jones About You'. Once you start listening to Bruce's story, you get the feeling this guy isn't slowing down for anything! We talk about how he met his college sweetheart (and the inspiration for the hit single 'Moonlight Feels Right') to his continued success on the Yacht Rock charts, the backstory on the members of his band and more. We also discuss songwriting, music charting and knowing why it's important for all talent to understand the music business as well. From his early days touring with the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), KC and The Sunshine Band and Boston; to a discussion about his memoir; the southern rock and disco music era, and his thoughts on music streaming, Bruce gives an entertaining interview about why his unique music journey feels right. Bring along your love of 70's tunes and join us.

Special thanks to our booth announcer Joe Szymanski for this interview!

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...

In the studio today with children's book author Frank Payne, who has written a true adventure story about his beloved adopted pup named Webster in 'Webster the Beagle' (winner of the 'Mom's Choice Award and 'Readers' Favorite' Book Review Award). Initially adopted as a hunting dog, Payne eventually discovers Webster's true calling is really the life of a therapy dog! Frank talks about this special beagle who inspired him to write a series of books, plus the joy Webster brought to charity work in Virginia with The Children's Hospital of Richmond and the Richmond County Little League. Bring along your love of pets and join us!

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...