In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews British actor and singer, Richard Shelton.

Richard has enjoyed enormous success on both sides of The Atlantic starring in film, TV and theater. Music is his passion. He's a wonderful singer.

Combining his talents, Richard wrote and stars in 'Sinatra: RAW', a play about the last intimate performance by Frank Sinatra prior to his first retirement in 1971, imagining the icon's state of mind as he answers life long allegations in-between some of Frank's best loved songs.

http://richardshelton.co.uk/

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen… 

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews visual artist and co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Dianna Cohen.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition has many initiatives but one in particular is something we can all get on board with - drastically cutting down on single use plastics like straws, bags and containers.

They've been banned in many places but there is still much we can learn from this environmentalist who has traveled the world looking for solutions to plastic pollution that is killing animals and fish and poisoning our oceans and land.  www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org 

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews two concerned citizens who are working tirelessly to inspire democrats to vote in the mid-terms on November 6: Melanie Rothschild and Alexis Aria.

Melanie is an artist who has been campaigning for Katie Hill in District 25, one of the new wave of concerned citizens who are standing for election to flip seats in the house considered winnable from the Republicans.

www.swingleft.org

www.thelastweekend.org

Harpist Alexis Aria runs the phone banks for Democrats in Topanga and Malibu. It's accepted wisdom that the most important time to canvas is the weekend before the election. If you'd like to do more than vote to help the Democrats, be inspired by these two wonder women. 

In this first anniversary episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews multi Grammy award-winning Producer and Songwriter Simon Climie.

Simon enjoyed great international success in the 80s as the singing half of the British pop duo Climie Fisher with smash hits including Love Changes (Everything). He also wrote hits for George Michael, Aretha Franklyn, Pat Benatar, Smokey Robinson and Jeff Beck.

But it's as Eric Clapton's long time producer and collaborator that Simon is best known. Very conveniently, Eric Clapton's first Christmas album, Happy Xmas, is released today.

We have tracks from Eric's hot of the presses new album as Producer Simon Climie explains how the songs were chosen and played. Also some of Simon's biggest hits and tracks he produced for Singing Sensation Michael McDonald.

And Tracy Ullman and Julia Fordham sing us Happy Birthday!

http://simonclimie.com/

http://www.ericclapton.com/

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

Comedy Legend Tracey Ullman - a former guest of The Chat and tennis partner of Claire's - and Legendary Songstress Julia Fordham - Claire's sister and singer of The Chat theme tune - wish Claire Fordham and The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast a happy 1-year anniversary in this quick clip sent from London.

You will not want to miss Tracey's spot-on impression of Claire or their beautiful rendition of the 'Happy Birthday' song!

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews Homeless Activist and Philanthropist Dr. Marilyn Wells, KamGi and Kyle Finch who feed the homeless and "S", a homeless man.

With 58,000 people currently sleeping rough in LA, one podcast can't begin to explain the enormity of the issue or discuss all the solutions but we hope that by hearing these inspiring and fascinating people share their observations and stories of what they are doing to help the homeless and in one case, try to escape homelessness, it might inspire you to get involved and help.

It's a sobering thought that most of us live paycheck to paycheck and are therefore one month away from homelessness ourselves. At the very least, we hope this episode will make us all more compassionate.

www.storiesfrontline.org

www.csh.org

www.beloveapparel.com

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews Oscar nominated actress and star poker player Jennifer Tilly.

Jennifer is perhaps best known for her role as The Bride of Chucky in the horror franchise but she is much better than that with critically acclaimed roles in Dancing at the Blue Iguana and Bound. And an Academy Award nomination for her role in Bullets over Broadway, directed by Woody Allen.

Then there's her other career as poker player where Jennifer is one of the few players, men or women, who can afford to buy into big games. Jennifer chats about some of her favorite roles, being directed by Woody Allen, her own close call with a Hollywood Executive in light of the #MeToo movement and the crazy world of poker where she confirms the rumor that she has won almost a million dollars playing poker and how much she has lost.

If you enjoy this chat or any previous episode, please click here and leave us a five star review on iTunes. Podcast success isn't measured by the number of downloads but the number of 5 Star reviews on iTunes. Thank you!

Buckle up listeners,  make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews Advertising Titan Aaron Walton.

Aaron is co-founder of Walton Isaacson, a full-service advertising agency, with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami and Dallas. Aaron’s boundless creativity and strategic acumen have made him one of the most admired executives throughout the advertising, brand marketing and entertainment industries.

Since turning 50, Aaron has been a runway model and muse for the internationally renowned haute couture fashion designer, Rynshu. He walks the runway twice a year during Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

Aaron chats about the changing world of advertising, working with Michael Jackson and Marlon Brando on iconic Pepsi ads and how he feels about people like me fast forwarding through the ads when we watch our favorite TV shows.

www.waltonisaacson.com

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews British singing sensation Mari Wilson.

Known in the UK as the Neasden Queen of Soul, Mari had a string of hits in the 80s then ditched her signature Beehive hair do for something more manageable, carried on making great music and has never stopped writing songs and gigging.

Mari chats about being a working class girl from Neasden who made it big and then made it bigger, starring as her singing heroine Dusty Springfield in Dusty: The Musical and getting her first Emmy nomination this year after 35 years in the biz.

http://www.mariwilson.co.uk/

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…

In this episode of The Chat with Claire Fordham podcast, Claire interviews Hollywood Legend Cloris Leachman.

In a brilliant career spanning seven decades, Cloris has won eight Prime Time Emmy awards (a long standing record now tied with Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a Daytime Emmy and the big one - an Academy Award - for her role in The Last Picture Show.

Cloris chats about love, family, her favorite roles and what it's like to be a Hollywood Legend aged 92.

Make a cup of your favorite brew, get comfy and click below to listen…