The Locher Room

Thirty years after All My Children broke new ground with the Michael Delaney storyline, Rodney Wilson and Chris Bruno come together for the first time to reflect on the moment that changed both of their lives.

Rodney shares what it meant to come out to his students in 1994 during a Holocaust lesson, the backlash that followed, and how that classroom moment became part of a much larger national conversation. He also discusses founding LGBTQ History Month and why visibility alongside Black History Month and Women’s History Month still matters today.

Chris opens up about screen testing while nearly out of money, being flown to New York overnight, and learning from executive producer Felicia Behr that the show was about to tell a story unlike anything daytime television had done before. He reflects on Alicia Coppola’s encouragement to take the role, the death threats and backlash that followed, the support he received from viewers, and the lasting lessons he learned from his father about integrity and courage.

Together, they revisit a story that earned critical acclaim, changed daytime television, and continues to resonate three decades later.

On this episode of The Locher Room, Alan Locher sat down with Ambyr Michelle and Trisha Mann-Grant, who star as Eva and Leslie Thomas on CBS’s Beyond the Gates.

Fresh from the set, Ambyr and Trisha talked about building their on-screen mother-daughter dynamic, the audition and screen test process, and what it’s been like stepping into a brand-new daytime series led by an all-Black cast with many Black creatives behind the scenes.

The conversation also touched on Black History Month and the significance of Beyond the Gates receiving an NAACP Image Award nomination in its first year on the air. Ambyr shared details about her new book, Built in the Chaos, out now, and the creative and spiritual journey that led her to write it. Trisha reflected on her 2018 book, Amazing Testimonies, and spoke openly about faith, family, and the experiences that continue to shape her life and work, including a powerful moment where she shared a message inspired by her son.

From gratitude for the fans to purpose-driven storytelling, this was an honest and heartfelt conversation with two artists deeply grounded in their craft.

Actor Alexander Walters, best known to daytime fans as Mark Kasnoff on As the World Turns, joined me in The Locher Room for a thoughtful and fun conversation about his unique career journey.

Alexander looked back on his time on ATWT, sharing memories from life on set during the ’90s, working with his castmates, and stepping into the fast-paced world of daytime television. He also talked about his early career in modeling, his transition into acting, and the choices that ultimately led him to step away from the spotlight and build a successful second career in construction.

Midway through the conversation, Alexander was surprised when his on-screen brother, Shawn Christian, who played Mike Kasnoff, joined us live. The reunion brought laughter, nostalgia, and a genuine moment fans won’t want to miss.

This episode was a must-listen for ATWT fans, filled with memories, surprises, and reflections on reinvention, resilience, and finding fulfillment beyond fame.

Jean Leclerc joined me in The Locher Room for a charming, funny, and heartfelt conversation reflecting on a remarkable career in daytime television and the theater.

Soap fans know Jean best as Jeremy Hunter on All My Children, and in this episode he shared wonderful stories from his time in Pine Valley, including working closely with Kate Collins and reflecting on a memorable era of daytime television that featured many iconic performers.

Jean also looked back on starring in the Broadway production of Dracula, discussed his deep love of classical theater, and talked about playing a twin during his time on Loving. Filled with humor, insight, and thoughtful reflection, this episode celebrates the craft, longevity, and joy of a life spent telling stories on stage and screen.

On the anniversary of January 6, Alan Locher hosts a timely and deeply important conversation about radicalization, antisemitism, and prevention.

Joining Alan are Arno Michaelis and Dana Grueser from Parents for Peace. — two voices shaped by lived experience and committed to helping families interrupt cycles of hate before they turn into violence.

Arno shares his journey out of violent extremist ideology, how compassion and accountability helped pull him back from hate, and why lived experience matters in disengagement and intervention work. Dana speaks candidly about nearly losing her son to online radicalization, the warning signs too many parents miss, and how guidance and support from Arno and Parents for Peace played a critical role in her son’s recovery.

Together, they explore how extremist ideologies — including antisemitism — take root, how digital platforms accelerate exposure and desensitization, and what real prevention, intervention, and healing can look like for families.

This conversation isn’t about politics.

It’s about awareness, responsibility, and protecting the next generation.

Recorded at the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, this special conversation features Constance McCashin, best known to audiences as Laura Avery on Knots Landing.

Constance reflects on being part of the original Knots Landing cast from the very beginning, the friendships that shaped her years on Seaview Circle, and why Laura’s story continues to resonate with fans decades later. She also shares personal memories of first meeting Donna Mills, her work with the late Elizabeth Hubbard on First Lady Diaries, and what it meant to grow up professionally within the world of primetime television.

Now a licensed psychotherapist, Constance speaks candidly about her life beyond acting, the choices she made after stepping away from the spotlight, and the perspective that comes with time, reflection, and experience.

This is a warm, insightful conversation that blends career reflection with personal storytelling — a meaningful watch for Knots Landing fans and anyone interested in the lasting cultural impact of soap operas.

If you’re thinking about starting a family — or supporting someone who is — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Locher Room, Alan Locher is joined by George Moore and Mike Snaric, husbands, dads to twin boys, and the co-founders of Families Out Loud, an organization dedicated to providing inclusive, ethical, and trusted education around IVF, surrogacy, and modern family building.

George and Mike share their personal journey to parenthood, the challenges they faced finding accurate information in an often overwhelming and unregulated space, and why they created Families Out Loud to help others feel informed, supported, and less alone.

Alan also sits down with Days of Our Lives' Greg Rikaart who speaks openly about his own road to surrogacy and becoming a father. Greg reflects on what he wishes he’d known earlier, the questions that were hardest to answer, and what families truly need when navigating this process.

This episode is about visibility, education, ethics, and community — and about the many ways families are created today.

Whether you’re just beginning to ask questions or already on your journey, this is a powerful and compassionate conversation worth hearing.

I’m excited to share this special conference conversation with Kin Shriner, best known to daytime audiences as Scotty Baldwin on General Hospital and Port Charles.

Recorded at the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, Kin was candid, funny, and generous as he reflected on his decades in daytime television, the evolution of the genre, and the enduring connection between soap operas and their fans. From the early years of Scotty Baldwin to broader conversations about soap history, fandom, and longevity, this panel captured both the humor and the heart of daytime drama.

It’s a pleasure to share this conversation here in The Locher Room — one that honors the legacy of soaps through the perspective of someone who helped shape them.

In this special episode of The Locher Room, we dive into Soap Operas, Fandom & More with three voices whose stories highlight why daytime television continues to matter.

Paul Gosselin, Annie Armstrong, and Elisa Smith share deeply personal reflections on growing up with soaps, finding comfort and identity in these stories, and forming emotional connections to characters who felt like family. From Guiding Light devotion and fan letters to academic reflection, personal loss, and multigenerational viewing, this conversation explores how soap operas offer sanctuary, community, and hope.

Born out of the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, this episode goes beyond television to examine the power of storytelling — how it helps us navigate grief, isolation, and change, and why these shows remain meaningful across decades.

Whether you’re a lifelong soap fan or someone who understands the importance of stories that show up for us every day, this is a heartfelt, thoughtful conversation you won’t want to miss.

Hank Northrop joined me in The Locher Room for a meaningful conversation about stepping into daytime television and carrying forward an extraordinary family legacy.

Hank made his Days of Our Lives debut as Liam Selejko in October 2025, and we talked about what it’s been like joining Salem, his first days on set, and learning from daytime icons including James Reynolds and Deidre Hall. He also shared some of the incredible stories he’s heard about his father Wayne Northrop’s time on Days, and what it means to now be part of the same show.

We spent time reflecting on Hank’s upbringing as the son of two beloved soap legends — Wayne Northrop and Lynn Herring — his journey into acting, and how he’s finding his own voice while honoring the paths his parents forged. Hank also spoke openly about his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s and the perspective it’s given him.

It was an honest, heartfelt conversation about legacy, gratitude, and the next chapter in a new daytime career.