In Chicago today with children's book author Lisa Maggiore, who has paved a whole new world for herself in the world of publishing - and she's sharing her story today on the podcast! This social worker turned published author of 'Ava The Monster Slayer - Sleepover SuperHeroes', is a story for anyone who wants to overcome their fear of literally anything. Her telling of how Ava and her friends challenge their fears has grown into a series of beloved books for both children and parents alike. In the podcast she discusses new roads to publishing - understanding keywords, knowing where to 'place' your book and those oh so important algorithms - while staying true to the story you believe needs to be told. An author who understands the importance of luck, timing and perseverance also talks about her Live Lit scenes (it's definitely an art form!) and why she believes "scary stories matter."

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...

Meeting up in the studio with Marty Scott, guitar player with world famous Beatles tribute band 'Liverpool Legends'. With support for the band from Sir Paul McCartney and one special gig which led to Marty being hand-picked for the band by Louise Harrison (sister of the late George Harrison), let's just say great talent, luck and timing is all part of this fascinating Beatles tribute band! Marty discusses the beginnings of Liverpool Legends stellar success, including a moment that almost wasn't (the story is in the podcast!), when the band recorded and produced all The Beatles songs for a unique album called "Fab Fan Memories" - which eventually led to a Grammy Award nomination! Along with their performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, The Cavern Club in Liverpool and the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, Marty talks about those oh so special gigs with Denny Laine (WIngs, Moody Blues), Joey Molland (Badfinger), Pete Best and more. Bring your love of the 60's with you 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 with writer Scott Sollers, who has written several children's books including his newest release 'A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs'. We discuss his process of writing a book - starting from idea to outline to actually writing the story, then deciding on an illustrator - to eventually finding a publisher - and as Scott says, it's one of the hardest projects to undertake as a writer! An investment banker by profession and also an avid golfer, Scott talks about his not-for-profit organization in California which helps disadvantaged children discover those important core values through the game of golf. Plus we find out exactly how his youngest daughter inspired him to write. Bring along your love of books 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 North Carolina with the talented photographer Bill Reaves, who is in the studio to talk about working with local Raleigh musicians Mitch Easter, Dave Adams, Don Dixon, The Woods, Terry Anderson and new artist Anya Hinkle; to photographing  music legends Tom Petty, Howie Epstein and Mike Cambell (The Heartbreakers); plus Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Dale Watson, Brad Paisley and NRBQ to name a few! We also talk about his commercial photo work for Lone Star Beer, along with his published work with Guitar World magazine. Bill also discusses his upcoming book collaboration with music critic and author David Menconi about musicians in North Carolina who've made a difference. Bring your love of photography - and music - 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 Hollywood today with the legendary George Schlatter, creator of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, an American sketch comedy television show inspired by the hippie counterculture, which aired on NBC from 1968-1973. The always vibrant (and perceptive!) 94 year old tells all about show biz - from getting the networks to pick up his shows 'Laugh-In', 'Turn On' and 'Real People', to working in Las Vegas with the greats like Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle; all the while keeping true to his core belief of how uncertainty  - and yes, even at times failure - generate more creativity than anything else. We also discuss his book 'Still Laughing' about the never before heard stories about this iconic producer and his groundbreaking television programming (with a documentary on his career soon to follow); his YouTube channel 'Clown Jewels' and the backstory about The National Comedy Center in Jamestown NY! Find out why George gives a whole new meaning on what it takes to make it in show business. 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 podcast studio today with Houston's pet advocate and community leader Gloria Zenteno, who along with her many volunteers work tirelessly for Barrio Dogs - an organization she started which helps Houston create a better future for animals. Gloria talks about her journey from leaving the corporate world of nearly 30 years to finding her true calling as an animal advocate; working alongside local civic leaders on Barrio Dog's programs like Pedal for Paws and the Fix-It Program; in addition to local businesses such as Camp Bow Wow and Kroger; to how a grass root effort turned into a strong community outreach program for animal advocacy. She also discusses her family's band 'Zenteno Spirit', with a special mention of her late sister-in-law Norma, who was one of the founding members of not only Zenteno Spirit, but Barrio Dogs as well. Join us!

Volunteer opportunities available. Reach out at [email protected]

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...

Covering sports today with NBC reporter and producer Mark Barger about The Olympic Games in Paris, along with his personal stories from Olympic days gone by. The 30 year broadcast veteran discusses the games in Torino, Sydney, Tokyo and Beijing as well as Paris; what his day to day job is like this summer - and adds a bit of broadcasting advice on what it takes to be successful in television. 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 Hollywood with the talented journalist and movie critic Grae Drake who tells all about starting a career in show biz where EVERYBODY is starting a career in show biz! Listen in as we talk about her interviews with Channing Tatum (yes, there's a lap dance story and it's legit); Ryan Gosling and duck towels (you have to hear it to believe it!) plus one of the most talked about quirky television interviews with actor Paul Rudd. The original Miss Moviefone also discusses her love of ComicCon, social media managers, and how to work hard while staying true to yourself - no matter what creative gig you have. 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 New York today to chat with author Holly George-Warren about 'Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones', the New York Times bestselling fashion autobiography by music icon Dolly Parton, written with Warren. The two time Grammy nominated writer and former book editor for Rolling Stone Magazine has written other biographies including "Janis: Her Life and Music' (2019); 'A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, from Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man' (2014), describes her recent journey of writing and working alongside Dolly, focusing on the iconic country singer's humble beginnings in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where her early fashion sense and unique wardrobe style began. We also catch up on two books she's working on - one about writer Jack Kerouac and the other about country singer Jerry Jeff Walker.  This self proclaimed "research nerd" with a true love of  music, also describes her special college reunion in Chapel Hill, NC over the summer, at a place she appropriately calls "The Hippie House". Bring your love of books and music 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...

Staying awhile in Hollywood to talk with legendary game show announcer - and author - Randy West ('The Price Is Right', 'Supermarket Sweep') talks about leaving New York to start both a radio and television career to working with game show greats like Dick Clark, Bob Barker, Bob Eubanks and the amazing Johnny Olsen, and all the success stories in between, it's an entertaining interview from beginning to end! Randy also discusses making the transition from working behind the radio mic to television mic (no easy feat, and he explains why), to how his longtime mentor, Johnny Olsen inspired both Randy's broadcast career and his writing career, including Randy's book 'Johnny Olson: A Voice in Time' and his recent book 'TV INSIDE-OUT: Flukes, Flakes, Feuds and Felonies'! This long time booth announcer digs deep into the highs and lows of working over 35 years in show business, those huge differences between voicing a show on the air and working a game show to showmanship in the voiceover booth and more. And catch his update on the National Archives of Game Show History, too! If you love anything to do with game shows - this podcast is for you. 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...