Jen Jacob and Jordi Vilasuso joined me in The Locher Room for a fun and insightful conversation about their work on Beyond the Gates and their journeys through the entertainment industry.

Jen talked about her audition process for the role of Ashley Morgan, transitioning from primetime and film into daytime television, and the fast pace that comes with working on a soap. She also opened up about the incredible support system among the cast and what has made this experience so meaningful for her.

Jordi reflected on how the role of Grayson Perez came into his life and what it has meant to step into his fifth daytime role after memorable runs on Guiding Light, All My Children, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless. He also shared his thoughts on the recent two-season renewal for Beyond the Gates and why he believes audiences continue to connect with daytime storytelling.

We also talked about working with their co-stars, the family atmosphere behind the scenes, life outside of acting and so much more.

A heartfelt, funny and engaging conversation with two stars helping bring new energy to daytime television.

Jon Lindstrom joined me in The Locher Room to discuss his new novel Hollywood Payback and what it took to follow up Hollywood Hustle. He opened up about the pressure of writing a second book, the discipline of his early morning routine, and why he truly fell in love with the writing process.

We also talked about the research behind the book, including the experts he leaned on to bring authenticity to the worlds of crime, prison life, and the legal system, and how those insights shaped the story.

Jon shared how his role as Joey Armstrong on Beyond the Gates came to life through his longtime friendship with Michelle Val Jean, and just how much he’s enjoying being part of a brand-new show that’s already building momentum.

He also reflected on his career in daytime television, from Kevin Collins and Ryan Chamberlain to Craig Montgomery, and how those experiences continue to influence his work today.

Plus, Jon gave a preview of what’s next, including his upcoming book Pressure Point, co-written with Jeff Ayers, set for release this December.

Holocaust survivor Nate Leipciger joined me for a powerful Conversation with Alan, sharing his story of survival, resilience, and the responsibility to bear witness.

At just 11 years old, Nate was forced into ghettos and later Auschwitz during the Nazi occupation of Poland. He survived unimaginable conditions alongside his father, including a death march, before being liberated in 1945. His mother and sister were murdered during the Holocaust.

In this conversation, Nate reflected on his memoir The Weight of Freedom, the vivid memories he continues to carry, and the bond with his father that helped him survive. He also spoke about his lifelong work as an educator, including his involvement with March of the Living, and his mission to ensure future generations understand not only what happened, but why it must never be forgotten.

At 98, Nate’s message remains clear and urgent: love your neighbor, accept your fellow man as your equal, and choose to be an upstander, not a bystander.

Bernice Leipciger also joined the conversation, offering her perspective on Nate’s journey and the importance of continuing to share his story.

Eric Feltes joined me for a powerful and honest conversation about healing from religious trauma, unlearning shame, and building confidence, intimacy, and self-worth.

Growing up in a conservative evangelical environment, Eric shares what it was like to feel that being gay was incompatible with belonging, and how that early messaging shaped his identity. He opens up about the moment everything changed, and the years of work that followed as he began to untangle belief from identity and build a life rooted in authenticity.

We talk about the root of shame, how it shows up in everyday life, and what it really takes to move beyond it. Eric also shares insight into why intimacy can be a challenge, and how it’s something that can be learned and rebuilt over time.

We also discuss his new program launching in June, designed to help gay men reconnect with themselves, their desires, and their relationships in a more honest and fulfilling way.

This is a meaningful conversation about identity, healing, and what it takes to fully embrace who you are.

Jessica Collins and Lisa Melamed joined me to talk about their heartfelt book Where’s Big Dog?, inspired by Jessica’s loss of her beloved dog Lucy and the journey of turning that grief into something meaningful for families.

We talked about the genesis of the book, how a deeply personal moment became the foundation for a story centered on love, loss and healing, and how they approached creating something that could help both children and parents navigate difficult conversations.

Jessica also looked back on her early days on Loving, working alongside Laura Wright and Paul Anthony Stewart, and the lasting impact The Young and the Restless had on her life, including her Daytime Emmy win.

Lisa shared her path from Brooklyn to Hollywood, her work as a writer and producer on series like Party of Five, Sistersand Hey Dude, and what it meant to step into a more intimate form of storytelling with this book.

We also talked about their friendship, working with Dolly Parton, and so much more.

In this episode of The Locher Room, Alan sat down with authors Diana Malkin and Margaret Gurevich for a meaningful conversation about identity, culture, and the stories that shape who we are.

Margaret shares the inspiration behind her new novel, Yasha’s Amazin’ Bar Mitzvah, a coming-of-age story set in 1986 that follows a young Russian American boy navigating life between cultures while preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. Drawing from her own experiences, Margaret opens up about growing up feeling “othered,” embracing her identity, and the importance of telling Jewish stories at a time when antisemitism is on the rise.

Diana discusses her children’s book, The Crossing, which weaves together themes of immigration, health awareness, and cultural diversity through a deeply personal lens. Her work speaks to both children and parents, offering an accessible and heartfelt way to explore complex topics.

Together, this conversation highlights the power of storytelling to build empathy, foster understanding, and help us all feel a little less alone.

Yasha’s Amazin’ Bar Mitzvah and The Crossing are both available now wherever books are sol

Carl Tye Evans joined me to revisit his time as Alan-Michael Spaulding on Guiding Light and Nick Scudder on As the World Turns, sharing memories from both shows and reflecting on his years in daytime.

In a special moment, Kristina Sisco Romero (Abigail Williams) dropped in to surprise Carl as we celebrated what would have been the 70th anniversary of As the World Turns. Together, they looked back on their unforgettable storyline and the moments that still resonate with fans today.

We also talked about Carl’s first feature film, Walking on the Sky, and how a deeply personal experience led him to step behind the camera. He also shared more about his life today, including earning his pilot’s license and his love of motorcycles.

Katherine Kamhi joined me to reflect on her career across daytime television, primetime, and film. Best known for her roles as Pamela Kingsley on All My Children and Marcy Campbell on Guiding Light, she discussed getting her start at 16 while balancing school and a demanding production schedule during a peak era of daytime television.

She shared memories of working with Susan Lucci, her friendship with Jennifer Gatti, and her experience appearing in a scene with Oprah Winfrey early in Oprah’s career. Katherine also reflected on her time on Guiding Light, where she returned over several years in a recurring role that allowed her to play a very different kind of character.

The conversation also covered her work in primetime television, including appearances on NYPD Blue, The Practice, and Bones, as well as her role in the cult film Sleepaway Camp.

Throughout the episode, Katherine offered insight into her experience working across different formats and how her career evolved from daytime to primetime and beyond.

Rich Burns, Gedde Watanabe, James Campbell and Chuck Saculla joined me in The Locher Room to preview Season 2 of The Disappointments, the Humanitas Prize-winning series that resonated with audiences for its honest, funny and heartfelt storytelling.

We talked about the long journey to bring Season 2 to life, revisiting Season 1 through the Director’s Cut, and what fans could expect as the story continued. From new opportunities and challenges for Ray, Gary and James to deeper themes of reinvention, friendship and purpose, the new season took even bigger swings.

Rich also shared why the themes of the series connected with so many people, regardless of age or identity. At its core, The Disappointments explored friendship, resilience and the humor that can be found even in life’s disappointments.

Season 2 is now streaming on YouTube.

Damian Pelliccione joined me in The Locher Room to discuss the journey behind Revry, the first global queer-owned streaming platform. Damian shared how the idea for Revry was sparked while watching an Apple keynote and how that lightbulb moment led to building a platform focused on LGBTQ+ storytelling and visibility.

We talked about Damian’s path from actor to entrepreneur, the early scrappy launch of Revry during San Francisco Pride, and why distribution, marketing, and accessibility became central to the company’s strategy.

Damian also reflected on coming out as Non-Binary during the pandemic, the responsibility that comes with being visible as a leader in media, and the importance of creating spaces where diverse stories can thrive.

The conversation also explored the growing “rainbow economy,” the real business case for inclusive media, and the excitement surrounding the drag king competition series King of Drag.

It was a thoughtful discussion about leadership, identity, storytelling, and building something that didn’t previously exist.