The Locher Room

Listen to this exciting episode of The Locher Room as we welcome back the incredibly talented Van Hansis. 

Van returned to daytime TV in the role of Lucas Jones on General Hospital, and he’s also a five-time Daytime Emmy nominee. In addition to his return to daytime, Van has been busy over the last few years coaching actors who have booked roles in over 70 network TV shows, feature films, and Broadway productions.

Fans of As the World Turns will remember him as the groundbreaking Luke Snyder, and his career continues to thrive with credits including Paul Schrader’s Oscar-nominated film First Reformed, HBO’s The Deuce, CBS’s FBI, and his role as a series regular on Netflix’s Emmy-winning Eastsiders. Join us as Van shares behind-the-scenes stories from his acting career, insights into his coaching methods, and all the details about his exciting return to daytime TV.

You won’t want to miss this conversation with Van!

Listen to The Locher Room for a special episode in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. I sat down with Michelle Ray Smith, best known for her role as Ava Peralta on Guiding Light.  While fans will get a glimpse into her time in Springfield, Michelle will be sharing her deeply personal journey through breast cancer. Crystal Chappell drops in to show her support for Michelle.

Diagnosed first in late 2021 and now facing a recurrence, Michelle's story is one of faith, resilience, and humor. She has bravely chosen to approach her battle with laughter and positivity, despite the challenges that cancer brings. Michelle will open up about the importance of family, her deep faith, and how she navigates the ups and downs of this ongoing fight. Her message is one of strength and hope, and she’ll share advice for others walking a similar path.

Don't miss this heartfelt conversation with Michelle Ray Smith, a courageous voice during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Listen in to show your support to Michelle!

Listen as I welcome two amazing guests, Julie Dove and Lauren-Marie Taylor, for a special conversation! 📺

Julie Dove recently wrapped her latest stint on Days of Our Lives as the villainous "Connie," turning heads with her captivating portrayal of a character gone bad. Lauren-Marie Taylor is best known for her 12-year role as "Stacy Donovan" on ABC's Loving. She also made waves in the horror genre with Friday the 13th, Part 2 and the recent Sundance hit A Violent Nature.

Here's what's extra special: Julie and Lauren-Marie have shared a deep friendship since Julie's teenage years, thanks to a 10-year fan letter exchange that started when Julie was just 13. Now, they're real-life friends, and we'll be diving into their incredible story, which includes a visit to the set of Loving in the late '80s.

Listen to this conversation to hear all about their careers, personal stories, and the special bond that has grown between them—plus some fun behind-the-scenes moments that Days and Loving fans won’t want to miss! Don’t miss it! 🎬

Listen to an exciting conversation with the talented Paul Carafotes! Paul is an award-winning actor, writer, and director who has graced our screens in beloved shows like The Greatest American Hero, Different Strokes, Knots Landing, MINDHUNTER, and the second season of Tulsa King. 

Having worked alongside legends like Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and James Gandolfini, Paul has carved out an impressive career in both acting and storytelling. His play Beyond the Ring, about the bond between father and son, earned him accolades as a writer, while his directorial debut Club Soda won multiple awards.

Paul is also the author of the critically acclaimed Charlie Bubbles children's books, inspired by his son. Through his nonprofit, Charlie Bubbles Cares for Kids, Paul donates books to children in hospitals, schools, and homeless children.

Don't miss this inspiring chat—listen in to discover more about Paul's incredible journey in entertainment and how you can support his charitable mission at CharlieBubbles.com!

Listen to a powerful and inspiring episode of The Locher Room with Beth Chamberlin and Tina Sloan.

Beth Chamberlin will be my guest to discuss the Rockland Women Leaders Hall of Fame Celebration where she was honored by the Center for Safety & Change. Beth is being recognized for her incredible work with her Nyack Boot Camp, where she empowers people of all ages to enhance their physical well-being through exercise while fostering mental health by creating a secure and encouraging community.

The Center for Safety & Change is celebrating its 45th Anniversary and hosting the Rockland Women Leaders Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. We'll also discuss the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. 

Joining Beth will be Sandra Page-Cook, the Development Officer at the Center, to shed light on their incredible work in the community. And you won't want to miss a visit from Tina Sloan, Beth's on-screen mom from Guiding Light, as they reflect on their impactful domestic violence storyline and its lasting impact.

Listen in for a thought-provoking and empowering discussion.

Listen to The Locher Room for an exclusive conversation with Dan J. Kroll, founder of Soap Central!

After 30 years at the helm of the longest-running soap opera website, Dan Kroll has made a bold move by stepping away from Soap Central. The site was sold to Absolute Sports, a tech-led sports and gaming media giant.

We'll dive deep into Dan's journey from launching Soap Central in 1995 to becoming a Red-Carpet mainstay and hosting the successful podcast Soap Central Live. Discover what led to his surprising decision to sell, his thoughts on the ever-changing soap opera landscape, and what’s on his bucket list now that he’s moving on from the 7-day, 18-hour grind of running a website.

You won't want to miss this conversation with a true pioneer in soap opera journalism, who turned his passion into a philanthropic force and a beloved community hub. Listen to  this entertaining and heartfelt discussion with Dan Kroll on The Locher Room!

Join us in The Locher Room as we celebrate a remarkable milestone with three of daytime television’s brightest stars — Sharon Case, Joshua Morrow, and Michelle Stafford — in honor of their 30-year journey on The Young and the Restless!

Michelle Stafford, who originated the role of Phyllis Summers in 1994, is back on Y&R since 2019 and has earned a total of twelve Daytime Emmy nominations, winning twice for Outstanding Lead Actress and once for Outstanding Supporting Actress. With her versatile talent spanning film, television, and digital media, Michelle has been an audience favorite for decades.

Sharon Case, who joined Y&R in 1994 as Sharon Collins, has grown into one of the show’s leading ladies. Sharon has won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress and earned numerous nominations for her riveting performances. Beyond her Y&R role, she has a rich history in television and film.

Joshua Morrow, who has portrayed Nicholas Newman since 1994, is a fan-favorite and has earned five Daytime Emmy nominations. Known for his charm and talent, Joshua has become synonymous with his character, captivating viewers for three decades. Don't miss this special episode as we dive deep into their incredible stories, careers, and unforgettable moments from their three decades on The Young and the Restless.

Listen in to hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and celebrate along with us.

Join us as we honor the 15th anniversary of the final episode of Guiding Light in this episode of The Locher Room! ✨ I'm excited to welcome Guiding Light’s Frank Dicopoulos, who captivated audiences for 22 years as the beloved Frank Cooper! Frank's career began in primetime with memorable appearances on Falcon Crest, Who's the Boss?, and Hotel to name a small few.  Currently, he lends his voice to Andrew Rutledge in the final season of the audio drama Forever and a Day.

We'll look back at Frank's remarkable journey on Guiding Light, where his character, Frank Cooper, became the heart of Springfield. The show built the entire Cooper family around him, introducing his sister, father, and mother, creating one of the most beloved families in daytime television. We’ll also dive into his experiences on other projects and what he’s been up to since the show's final curtain 15 years ago today.

Don't miss this chance to relive the magic of Guiding Light, celebrate Frank's incredible career, and hear his behind-the-scenes stories.

Join us in The Locher Room for a special conversation with Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and director, Jody Small.

We'll be discussing her powerful one-hour documentary, The Storm & The Boats, which captures the raw, emotional, and diverse experiences of New Jersey residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Derived from her Pandemic Stories Project, Jody filmed over 25 hours of oral histories in 2021 to preserve these stories for future generations. The documentary highlights the voices of healthcare workers, elected officials, students, parents, and many more, offering a personal narrative to the pandemic and its impact on mental health.

Don't miss this the chance to listen to this insightful discussion with Jody Small, as we delve into the importance of preserving these vital stories for the permanent record.

I couldn’t be more excited to finally welcome actor Steven Weber to The Locher Room! Join Steven and I as we dive into his remarkable career and revisit one of his earliest and most memorable roles as Kevin Gibson on As the World Turns. 

Steven is currently captivating audiences on NBC’s Chicago Med, produced by the legendary Dick Wolf. His recent credits include HBO’s Ballers, Epix’s Get Shorty, and a standout guest appearance in Curb Your Enthusiasm. You’ve also seen him in the Netflix sensation 13 Reasons Why. Best known for his unforgettable role as Brian Hackett on the hit series Wings, Steven also voiced Charlie B. Barkin in All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series and delivered a chilling performance as Jack Torrance in Stephen King’s The Shining. His versatility shines through in recurring roles on iZombie and NCIS: New Orleans and in his standout title role of Jeffrey in the 1995 LGBTQ+ classic film Jeffrey.

This is one conversation you won’t want to miss!