Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning author, sharing her personal experiences with grief. Her debut book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To, is a USA Today best-seller. Her new memoir, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, is available now. In this episode, Kelly discusses healing through remembering her loss, reshaping "everything happens for a reason" into making a reason, and finding gratitude in growing and evolving. Kelly's Book Cure Epilepsy.org Michael in Hamilton View epison on Stages on YOUTUBE

Happy Holidays to all our listeners!

Stephanie and Marylee are moving to YouTube! Starting in Season Six, Stages Podcast will release full episodes (and maybe even some past episodes!). You'll still be able to find us whereever you get your podcasts but now you can watch full episodes!

Please head over and subscribe to the channel and share with all your friends!

Thank you all for the support and joy that you bring to all of us at Stages Podcast. We look forward to another season!

Love,

Stephanie & Marylee

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Renée Elise Goldsberry is a multi-hyphenate actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the groundbreaking Broadway musical HAMILTON, for which she won Tony® and Grammy® Awards and received an Emmy® nomination for the Disney+ filmed version.

She is also known for her work in RENT, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE LION KING, ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, GIRLS-5EVA, and THE GOOD WIFE, and will return to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS in Spring 2026.

In this episode, Renée shares memories of sharing the stage with Stephanie in their early careers and exploring life, faith, family changes, and motherhood in her acclaimed documentary, Satisfied, which is now available digitally.

Watch Satisfied Documentary

Who I Really Am album

Tickets to Stephanie J. Block Holiday Concerts

Tickets to Schmigadoon on Broadway

Jeff Hiller is a recent Emmy Award winner for his heartwarming performance as "Joel Anderson" on HBO's Somebody, Somewhere. Jeff has graced both the stage and screen in shows like American Horror Story: NYC, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and 30 Rock, and recently on stage in New York City Center's Encores! production of Urinetown. His new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, is a humorous collection of autobiographical essays about an aspiring actor climbing his way to Hollywood. In this episode, Jeff shares how empathy folds into his storytelling, working through imposter syndrome, and the challenges he faced when writing a book, as a performer.

Actress of a Certain Age

Jeff's Emmy Speech

Brooke Shields Documentary Pretty Baby

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach on harvesting creativity and finding purpose, and New York Times best-selling author across her dozens of books, including The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, Finding Your Own North Star, and her newest release, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Beck shares how to practice patience in consciousness, the power in both compassionate self-talk and being a compassionate witness, and how creativity works as a tool for anxiety.

Dr. Martha Beck

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Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author, who began to develop her concept of "whole brain living" after experiencing a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain. She has written several books on her experience and learnings, including My Stroke of Insight and her latest work, Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life. Dr. Taylors Ted Talk was the first talk to go viral. In it she describes her stroke and the life lessons that it gifted.

In this episode, Dr. Jill shares how our brain creates a perception of reality, the ways to tap into all of its "characters," and why it's healthy to do weird things every day.

Ted Talk

Dr. Jill

The Master and The Emissary by Iain McGilchrist

Andrew Durand has received a Tony Award nomination for his standout performance in DEAD OUTLAW. He plays the title role of Elmer McCurdy in this brilliant, dark musical comedy about a mummified corpse. The show is nominated for 7 Tony Awards including Best New Musical.

Andrew's Broadway credits include HEAD OVER HEELS, SHUCKED, INK, WAR HORSE and SPRING AWAKENING. He performed in the West End in THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG and Off-Broadway in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, GIGANTIC, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, THE WILD BRIDE, & THE BURNT PART BOYS.

In this episode, Andrew talks about the meditative process he undertakes to stand perfectly still for 45 minutes during the show, his years working in England in experimental theater and how his instincts have led him to unique shows.

DEAD OUTLAW tickets

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK Live

PBS KISS ME KATE

The Tony Awards

Jasmine Amy Rogers is an Outer Critics Circle Award Winner and Tony Award Nominee for her Broadway debut as "Betty Boop" in BOOP! The Musical, directed by Jerry Mitchell. She has also graced the stage across the country as "Anita" in JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse, in the National Tour of MEAN GIRLS, as "Melody Green" in THE WANDERER at Papermill Playhouse, and in the world premiere of BECOMING NANCY at Alliance Theatre.

In this episode, Jasmine shares her childhood moment that revealed she wanted to be a performer, why she trusts the universal plan, and how auditioning for BOOP! taught her how to stand up for herself in her career.

Boop! Tickets

William Finns Falsettos

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Adrienne Warren is currently starring as "Cathy Hiatt," opposite Nick Jonas, in the highly anticipated Broadway debut of THE LAST FIVE YEARS. She received a Tony Award for her performance as "Tina Turner" in TINA, THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, after originating the role in the West End. Her additional Broadway credits include SHUFFLE ALONG, BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, THE WIZ, and DREAMGIRLS. She has also starred on TV and film in Hulu's BLACK CAKE, Sony Pictures' THE WOMAN KING, and ABC's WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT, where she starred as Mamie Till-Mobley. Adrienne is also dedicated to building a more equitable society through arts and storytelling, as a Co-Founder of Broadway Advocacy Coalition (BAC), which won an honorary Tony Award in 2021.

In this episode, Adrienne shares how she gets to use every part of her voice in "Cathy," the ways she will always be connected to Tina Turner, and her belief that nothing happens in life before you are ready for it.

The Last Five Years

Broadway Advocacy Coalition

Tina's Chant Album

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Jonathan Groff is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, who is beloved on Broadway and beyond. He is known on stage for his acclaimed performances in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, HAMILTON, and SPRING AWAKENING, as well as for his roles on TV and in film, including Glee, Looking and the Frozen franchise. Jonathan returns to Broadway as "Bobby Darin" in the new musical JUST IN TIME.

In this episode, Jonathan shares what it felt like performing to empty houses before SPRING AWAKENING became a massive hit, transforming into a musical icon on-stage as Bobby Darin, and getting comfortable with failure on the path to growth.

Just In TIme

Intimacy Idiot

Broadway Impact

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