IN THIS EPISODE - Dating in 2026 is totally effed. The apps, the ghosting, the mixed signals, the situationships, trying to decode a text message like you're working for the FBI. And then there's another layer. For women like the comedian Sonia Z and me, women who are confident, independent, not afraid to take up space, and real as fuck, it could even be more complicated. I figured if we're gonna talk about dating in 2026, we might as well bring in someone who can maybe make us laugh through it. Sonia's a Philadelphia-based comedian, actor, writer and activist. She's also the host of the podcast "Yo, That's Weird".

I met Sonia years ago when she hosted a comedy night at Manny Brown's (the bar I was managing at the time), and I remember thinking, "This woman is absolutely hilarious!" That wasn't because she was standing on stage telling jokes, but because she's just naturally funny. She's the kind of person where, sometimes you don't realize she's being funny until it hits you later. That's when you roar with laughter. So, if I laugh a second too late during this episode, now you know why. I followed Sonia ever since. She's a Philadelphia comedian and the host of the podcast Yo, That's Weird".

SHOW NOTES

You can learn more about Sonia Vai - see clips and buy show tickets - at her website.

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IN THIS EPISODE My friend Pascale is a singer, a single mom, a hustler and one hell of a human being. Pascale and I talk about raising a son on the autism spectrum, relationships, chasing our passions, taking care of ourselselves and figuring it all out on the fly.

SHOW NOTES

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IN THIS EPISODE What does it really mean to belong? Dr. Beth Kaplan is the author of Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point, a fantastic book which explores why belonging isn’t just something we want—it’s something we need. Together, we discuss how feeling seen, valued, and accepted impacts our mental health, our relationships, and even our ability to thrive at work and in life. We also talk about what happens when belonging is missing, and how we can begin creating spaces where people feel safe enough to show up as their authentic selves.

As someone who spent years searching for where I fit, this conversation was deeply personal. I hope it reminds you that true belonging isn’t about changing who you are to be accepted—it’s about finding the people and places where you never have to.

Whether you’ve ever felt like the outsider or questioned your worth, this episode is for you!

SHOW NOTES

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IN THIS EPISODE What if one DNA test changed everything you thought you knew about yourself? When J. Steven Osborne set out to learn more about his ancestry, he never imagined it would unravel the very foundation of his identity. In this deeply personal conversation, J. Steven shares the emotional journey behind discovering that the man who raised him wasn’t his biological father—and how that revelation forever changed his understanding of family, truth, and belonging.

As someone who discovered I was donor conceived as an adult, this conversation hit close to home. Together, we explore the shock of unexpected DNA discoveries, the grief that can come with unanswered questions, and the healing that’s possible when the truth finally comes to light.

Whether you’ve experienced a DNA surprise, grown up with family secrets, or simply wrestled with questions of identity, this episode is a powerful reminder that while our past may shape us, it doesn’t have to define us.

SHOW NOTES

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This wasn’t the episode I planned. My guest had to cancel, and instead of taking the night off, I decided to hit record anyway. This one’s just me.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the ripple effects of growing up with trauma, the patterns I’ve started noticing in myself, and the questions I still don’t have answers to. Things like why I keep ending up in the same situations… why my brain works the way it does… and whether healing is less about finding the answers and more about understanding ourselves.

No script. No guest. Just an honest conversation that I think I needed to have.

Maybe you do too.

SHOW NOTES

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IN THIS EPISODE: Healing isn’t about pretending the past never happened—it’s about deciding what comes next. In Part 2 of our conversation, Righteous shares how music became more than a creative outlet—it became a way to process pain, rediscover himself, and build a different future. We talk about fatherhood, accountability, mental health, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to choose a life that looks nothing like the one you were given. This conversation is a reminder that while none of us gets to choose the story we’re born into, we all have the power to decide what we do with it.

SHOW NOTES

To hear more about and from Righeous Jolly, visit https://linktr.ee/righteousjolly 

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In This Episode: what happens when two people from different walks of life realize they’ve been carrying many of the same invisible wounds? In Part 1 of my conversation with Righteous, we explore the lasting ripple effects of childhood trauma, the masks we wear to survive, and the ways our past quietly shapes our relationships, identity, and sense of self. Through honest conversation and shared reflection, we uncover the common threads that connect so many of our stories—even when they look completely different on the surface.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain patterns seem impossible to break, or why healing is anything but linear, this conversation is for you.

SHOW NOTES

To hear more about and from Righeous Jolly, visit https://linktr.ee/righteousjolly 

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3E6 The Power Of Connection with Danielle Brody, Part 2 Some conversations have a way of taking on a life of their own... and this is one of them. In Part 2 of my conversation with Danielle Brody, we continue exploring what it means to take ownership of our health, our healing and the stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible. We dive deeper into the role of mindset, community, stress management, and the small daily choices that can create profound changes over time.

SHOW NOTES

Danielle reminds us that healing isn’t always about finding one miracle solution. Often, it’s about building a foundation, one habit, one choice, and one act of self-compassion at a time. Whether you’re living with an autoimmune disease, supporting someone who is, or simply searching for ways to feel stronger and more connected to yourself, this episode is filled with encouragement and practical wisdom.

Because sometimes the most powerful medicine isn’t found in a bottle... it’s found in connection, hope and the willingness to believe that better is possible.   

To reach Danielle -

Health House Fitness

890 N. 2nd Street Pike, Unit 902

Richboro Pa, 18954

267-668-9259    

[email protected]

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3E5 The Power Of Connection with Danielle Brody, Part 1 What if some of the biggest changes in our lives begin with the smallest ones? In Part 1 of my conversation with Danielle Brody, we explore the powerful connection between mind, body, and healing. Danielle shares her journey of living with lupus, the lifestyle changes that helped transform her health, and the lessons she learned about stress, nutrition, movement and self-care along the way.

SHOW NOTES

This conversation is about more than autoimmune disease. It’s about learning to listen to our bodies, questioning what we’ve been told is “normal,” and recognizing that healing often starts with small, intentional choices made consistently over time. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, feeling stuck, or simply looking for ways to feel better in your own body, this episode offers hope, practical insight and a reminder that change is possible.

This is Part 1 of a conversation that became too important to fit into a single episode.

To reach Danielle -

Health House Fitness  

890 N. 2nd Street Pike, Unit 902,

Richboro Pa, 18954

267-668-9259

[email protected]

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced The podcast. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3E4 Sisters, Part 4 My donor sibling Amy was the the first donor sibling I ever connected with after I got my DNA results back and suddenly this entire hidden world cracked open. Amy and I share a lot of the same emotional wiring, the same sensitivities. But we’re also wildly different. But what means the most to me isn’t just the DNA connection, it’s the relationship we built afterward. Amy has become one of those people I know I can call at any moment and she’ll be there. So today, we’re talking about Amy’s DNA story. What it felt like when she found out. How it changed her identity, her family dynamics, her understanding of herself… and what this strange, beautiful & complicated donor sibling relationship has meant to both of us.

SHOW NOTES

The Hall Closet is written by Donna Hall. Costard & Touchstone Productions produced it. Donna Hall and A L Katz are the executive producers.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: The Hall Closet is not intended for sensitive audiences. Domestic abuse, violence, child endangerment, adultery, explicit language.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook: @THEHALLCLOSETPODCAST

Instagram: @THE_HALL_CLOSET_PODCAST

TikTok: @the.hall.closet.p

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.