The Broadway Husbands Podcast

What a fun interview with an amazing couple!

In case you aren’t familiar with Jordyn and Ziggy Pollack and their Instagram following, allow us to introduce them and their incredible story. 

Ziggy is a Burlesque performer, makeup artist, costumer, and all around creative genius. Her husband Jordyn as a very successful entrepreneur (and owner of Ziggy’s Naturals) who has a passion for fitness, the outdoors, and cooking. They recently celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary, and their love story has been anything but traditional! Jordan transitioned into a man once they were already engaged. The way these two unique souls have loved and supported and allowed one another to grow into the truest version of themselves- it’s nothing short of inspirational!

We cover all sorts of topics in today’s episode- from Wedding Traditions (When gender roles aren’t clearly defined, who breaks the glass? In what order are you supposed to dance with your parents? Can a dog walk someone down the aisle?) to the recent ban on transgender children from competing in sports (Is it really necessary to tell a child they must compete with the gender that is on their birth certificate?) No topic is off limits. And no answer reached without compassion and an open mind. One of the many things we love about this couple.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

My brother and I haven’t talked in over a year. We have a lot of history and I want to set some boundaries. I want him in my life, but I’m afraid to reach out because of how he might react. What is the best way to reach out to him and maintain healthy boundaries?

Want to learn more about this couple and their products? Follow them! And use the code Broadway20 to get 20% off your order with Ziggy’s Naturals!

@stylelust

@jojopollack

@ziggysnaturals

And if you’d like to learn more about the Broadway Husbands’ journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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Follow us

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Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when we thought life didn’t have another surprise in store for us this year… CRASH! That’s right. A literal car crash. On our way to our niece’s graduation, no less, our dear Blue Bell suffered an accident. There we were, all dressed up with graduation banners and presents in tow, dealing with yet another unexpected chapter to 2021. We were incredibly fortunate that no one was hurt. And aside from the disappointment of missing the graduation ceremony, we were able to move past the sadness of the event to do that thing that many people have to do- but no one likes to talk about… Buy a new car! Living in New York, we both skipped this rite of passage for many, many years. And we know that many artists and creatives living in big cities are the same. There are so many unspoken rules about negotiating, payment plans, extras, what time of the month is the best to buy. And unless someone in the know shares this wisdom, the whole process can feel a little overwhelming. So we reached out to our Instagram community for advice and it paid off! In this episode, we walk you through the whole process. (For us, it took a total of six hours to purchase our new car, but everyone’s experience is a little different.) Many parts of the negotiations were more complicated than we imagined. But we had each other. And now we want to help anyone listening so that you can learn from our experience. How about you? Have you learned something from the experience of buying a new car?Did you walk away feeling like you got a great deal- or like you could have done a little better with more information? And- even more importantly- where are you excited about driving this year? We can’t wait to hear all about it. Send us a message! And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our journey to become dads has been fraught with challenges and obstacles- many of which have been too painful to speak openly about until this week. But we have always done our best to present ourselves as we are, dear listeners, and we know that sharing our journey will help others along the way. So here goes. Our most recent embryo transfer in February did not take. Naturally, we were filled with grief and disappointment, as was our surrogate. And grief has a funny way of popping up at different times. Sometimes immediate, sometimes appearing out of nowhere at the most inconvenient of times. Bret tends to process things out loud; Stephen... not so much. As we both process this in our own time we are more grateful than ever to have each other. We’re in this marriage and family for the long haul. And while we have absolutely no control over the timing of these things, our desire to become dads has only increased as a result. We felt like we were collectively holding our breath for weeks just to hold it together. To function at work. To move to our new home. To keep inspiring others around us. And then once we let reality sink in, it helps us to move toward the future. And the future is very exciting! We’re so happy to share with you all that we’ll be performing another transfer SOON. We hope and pray that it’s the final transfer and that we can start the family we’ve been waiting for. — This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener: I’ve been seeing a guy for three months now, and it has been going well. He’s divorced with kids, and I know that they are his priority. But then I don’t hear from him for days and then I start to feel like I’m not on top of his list. I’m afraid to bring it up without coming off as needy. We’ve really surprised ourselves with this choice to stay in Texas when our lives have been so New York-centric for many years. We’re proud of this bold choice because it feels true and right for us right now. In what ways have you surprised yourselves recently? We’d love to hear about them and send you a virtual hug. We’re here to uplift one another through the good times and the bad. And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands. Follow us so we can connect!

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Follow us

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http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and here at the Broadway Husbands Podcast, we want to share our own mental health journeys with you- to do our small part to stop the stigma once and for all!

In this episode, we shed light on our struggles with addition, depression, and attention deficit disorder. Since sobriety is a bond we both share- and the thing that allowed us to meet in the first place- we’ve always felt comfort in being honest and transparent with one another about our emotions. And since mental health issues shift over our lifetimes, when you are married, you often have a glimpse into your partner’s childhood and adolescence and see things they hide from the rest of the world. We have become each other’s biggest cheerleaders in our quest for mental well-being. Developing a safe space for big feelings at home has been key for us.

In addition to therapy (which we HIGHLY recommend!) we also reconnect with our bodies by taking deep breaths, reading, and doing one small thing every day- like making your bed- to look back on as an accomplishment. And there are so many resources to help if you’re ever in need. We love the Actors Fund (theactorsfund.org) and all the ways they help performers in all walks of life.

We’ve been watching The Me You Can’t See on Apple+ and have been loving it! Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry discuss mental health issues as a whole, and share their personal journeys with wellness. What tv shows, movies, books, and podcasts are your favorite? We’d love to hear from you!

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is an absolute gift. We are still buzzing from our inspirational and healing talk with Shelby Elsbree and Jessica Cohen. If you’re ready to be seen, to address systemic problems in the performing arts industry, and to give your inner artist the biggest hug ever, please tune in. You’ll be so glad you did.

Shelby and Jessica are bright lights in our industry- and in the world! They both enjoyed incredible ballet and performance careers, dancing all over the world as well as on Broadway and National Tours. And in those years immersed in show business, they did two remarkable things: They noticed systemic problems, and followed their hearts to create change and heal our community.

Together they founded Artists Becoming, whose mission is to elevate the standards of well-being across the performing arts industry. They bring the gifts of yoga and meditation to artists of all kinds. Think of them as a full-service emotional support supplement in an often toxic environment. What started as a way to help individuals has now evolved to help institutions as a whole. And you don’t have to speak with Shelby and Jessica more than 30 seconds to know that these giant issues and difficult conversations are in the very best of hands. They care so much about artists and this broken industry we’ve all navigated for a variety of reasons, whether they be low self-worth or a scarcity mindset.

Our conversation with Shelby and Jessica covers a lot of ground, from the current state of our industry to dreams that no longer suit us and how to heal from that- we learned so much today. And what a gift that their words are recorded as a reminder to play again and again. We plan to sign up for one of their courses. How about you? Check out Artistsbecoming.com to learn more. And follow them on Instagram @artistsbecoming

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

What advice do you have for someone trying to transition out of dance?

Shelby made the decision to leave the ballet world on her own terms- not because the industry or an injury told her to retire. How about you? Have you ever walked away from an opportunity or dream knowing you still have something to give? Artists navigate so many complex chapters in their careers. Hundreds of tiny and enormous decisions. And they can feel very isolating, but they don’t have to be. We’re here and would absolutely love to hear your stories!

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Follow us

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Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelli Erdmann and Freeman Butler quite simply bring joy, light, and creativity to the world. And we were overjoyed to be able to interview them on this week’s podcast! You may know Kelli and Freeman from their amazing TikTok and Instagram videos (tiktok: happykelli and instagram @kelladactyl) featuring Kelly’s amazing dance moves and Freeman’s expert art directing and editing. They are just as lovely as you would imagine and this interview still has us smiling!

We loved learning about Kelli and Freeman’s love story. They lived across the country and met on a dating app. Then nearly a year later, they met in New York when Kelli was in Wicked on Broadway. After that fateful day in Times Square, they just knew that even the greatest distance couldn’t keep them apart. They were married six months later. And today, they continue to be are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters.

Like so many of us, Kelli and Freeman found themselves looking for a creative outlet during the pandemic and decided to give this TikTok thing (and some new video editing software) a try. They were an overnight sensation! And now anyone who is anyone wants to the chance to dance with Happykelli! Their videos make us smile every time we see them. And their creativity knows no bounds.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

After a year of being in quarantine together, working from home, pivoting all of the time, I find myself shutting down with my partner. It’s like I think he should be able to read my mind now after all of this time and if he doesn’t do things exactly how I want I lose my patience. How do I keep myself expressing my emotions to my partner without shutting down? 

TikTok as become Kelli and Freeman’s full-time job- and no one is more surprised about that then they are! What surprises has this pandemic brought in your lives? We’d love to hear about them. Send us a message!

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 18, 2021 we celebrated ten years of wedded bliss! That’s right- one decade ago, we said “I do!” And what better opportunity than an anniversary to pause for some reflection on the past and hopes for the future!

Since 2011, we’ve had some epic anniversary gifts. There was the year Stephen surprised Bret with a plane ticket to Japan to celebrate our “paper” anniversary. And who can forget our “copper” anniversary when our rings turned both our fingers green! We’ve come a long way in ten years. Geographically, we’ve moved from our East Village apartment to our Texas home. Career-wise, we’ve been on Broadway, National Tours, film and tv, taught ballet, directed, and coached from home. And emotionally, we’ve learned more about each other and ourselves than we ever thought possible.

The world around us has changed quite a bit since 2011, too. And in this episode, we also discuss some changes that are happening in the Broadway community. Actors Equity is in uncharted territory deciding the future of post-pandemic theatre. Producers like Scott Rudin are being exposed for behavior that many kept secret until now. And theatre makers everywhere are calling for diversity and equality at long last. It’s an empowering and unprecedented time to be in show business. And these changes are long overdue.

We had so much fun recording this episode. And we hope that when we look back one year from today that many more changes will be made. In our own lives, we hope that one year from now, we’ll be dads. In fact, we can’t wait for that day to come! We also hope to make an impact on the theatre and arts community here in Houston. 

What are your hopes and dreams for the next year of life? What changes do you want to see in your own life? And what changes do you want to see in the greater theatre community? We’d love to hear about your goals and cheer you on each step of the way. Send us a message!

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode has two very special guest stars: Taylor Phillips and Jeff O’Donnell, who you may know and love from their incredible social media presence. They’re a great couple on quite the journey together. And while everyone’s Pandemic stories have been different, there’s some comfort in sitting down to speak with other couples and seeing that many of the decisions, trials, tribulations, and little joys are universal.

Taylor and Jeff moved out of New York during the Pandemic, and have invested a lot of time and creative energy into buying and fixing up a house. They love walks with their dog, the sound of birds chirping in the morning, the size of shopping carts in suburbia… New York City might be one of the greatest places on earth, but when you live anywhere else, your eyes are opened to hundreds of conveniences you never knew you wanted. And they’re so lucky to be exploring them together during this “extended summer vacation” that is the Pandemic. They’re learning to communicate and give their relationship the quality time it needs and deserves … all while while balancing schedules, maintaining their social media presence, and planning a wedding!

These two are more than just content creators. They are community creators. And it was so inspiring to hear their stories of what visibility means in the gay community. Taylor lives his life by the quote “Live the life of the person you needed when you were younger.” And when we were all younger, we did not see same-sex couples paving the way and telling us your feelings are valid, love is out there, and ask questions if you have them. So these two are paving the way in that regard. We love their content, and they are constantly surprised by the way it impacts the community they both work hard to create.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I recently survived a divorce and started dating. I want to be cautious and selective when using dates apps. I recently went on a date with a gorgeous man who is- I don’t know how to say it… not smart. I’m definitely intellectual and this guy is so sweet, but I’m not sure if I can date someone who isn’t very intelligent. Is that shallow of me? I’m not sure if I should still consider going out with him.

Taylor and Jeff have different opinions on how much information they should share online. So communication is key before sharing. How do you feel about sharing your personal life on Instagram? Do you think twice before pressing the “share” button? Have you ever regretted a post- or been surprised by the way that you story impacted a complete stranger? We’d love to hear your stories! Send us a message!

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a week! Listeners, we’re not sure how many of you have purchased a home and gone through the many, many steps between that and closing and actually receiving the keys. But if you have, you can relate to the twists and turns of this week in our lives!

While we went into this process with all the optimism of two Broadway performers- What could go wrong? This should be a piece of cake!- we were surprised by delays, new plans, surprise adjustments, and unmet expectations. While we can’t control most of those things, the expectations are in our ability to manage.

So, how do you manage expectations? We discuss this and more in today’s episode. It’s only natural to walk into a situation that you’re looking forward to- a new home, a relationship, a career in show business- and want the best. Yet there’s a fine line between optimism and wanting to protect your heart.

What better time to discuss Managing Expectations than a Global Pandemic! This time has been an incredible teacher in that regard. We have no expectations how long we will stay in Texas. This suits our lives and brings happiness in this moment. We have no expectations when Broadway will reopen. Producers may set an Opening Night, and medical experts and governing officials may push that back. If the only thing we are certain of this year is uncertainty, then it’s time to take focus off of the future and place it on the present. How can we make this moment livable? We’re incredibly lucky to have each other through the uncertainty of life- and we do not take that for granted.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from Bret:

I was so excited to buy this house and start this new chapter of our lives. But as a kid, it was my dream to move far, far away from Texas and become a Broadway star. Now that we’re back here (and just found out that my childhood friend’s parents live in the neighborhood) the shininess of this new dream is starting to feel like settling into the life I never wanted as a kid. How do I come to grips with these two feelings?

Now that you’ve heard our story, we’d love to hear yours! What expectations are you managing right now? Are you thriving or struggling or taking it one hour at a time? We’re here for you and would love to connect!

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you believe how far we’ve all come in one year? This week, we take a look back at this wild year in the life of the Broadway Husbands. It’s hard to imagine where we were this time last year: Living in our apartment in the East Village, afraid to go outside except for short walks between episodes of ‘Tiger King’. Broadway closed, we didn’t own masks or know the importance of them yet, and we decided to make a major pivot.

At the same time that we were moving out of our home in the East Village- check out Episodes 31 and 32 for all of that drama!- Stephen got an incredible teaching offer in Texas that brought us down this brand new path. Anxiety was through the roof- and not just because the global pandemic was raging all around us. Working from home isn’t easy. Shifting careers isn’t either. And yet, artists all over the world have found themselves doing both. And thriving!

Since then, we’ve spent some quality time in the car driving to Pittsburgh to spend time with Stephen’s family and then Texas to be with Bret’s before finally landing a home of our own here in Texas. It’s been a wild ride to say the least! But we have each other, and friends near and far cheering us on.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I’ve been in quarantine with my husband for a year now, and sometimes we have bad days separately and it’s so difficult not to take on each other’s energy. How do I create space for my spouse when they are going through a bad day, without taking on their bad day?

We can’t wait to see what we’re reflecting back on at this time next year. How about you? What has your path been this year? If you knew the pandemic would still be affecting our lives and careers in 2021, would you have done anything differently? We want to hear everything. Send us a message! And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands

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Follow us

http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

http://youtube.com/broadwayhusbands 

Bret

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices