The Performers Podcast

Colm Feore is one of North America's top classically trained actors who has appeared on stages around the world, on the big screen and on television.

We discuss his stage work on Broadway with Denzel Washington, his film work with Judi Dench & Vin Diesel, his work at the Stratford Festival, and more.

Colm is married to the very busy director / choreographer Donna Feore so I asked him how they manage to have a successful marriage and raise their children while working around the world.

Thanks to my sponsors:AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

As a performer, your lifestyle is not the same as the average person's daily 9-to-5 routine. You're up late, you have busy rehearsal schedules, you eat when you can because despite whatever is happening in your life the show must go on!

So when I had the chance to speak with Julieanna Hever and Ray Cronise i was thanking my lucky stars. Their approach to nutrition is saving lives - just ask Penn Jillette or Kevin Smith.

Julieanna and Ray wrote "The Idiot's Guide to Plant Based Nutrition." The book goes deep into the science of nutrition but also has super-handy summaries at the end of each chapter with a list of "The Least you need to know."

The book has everything from how to equip your kitchen, ( I loved the bit about handy utensils) to a chapter on the plant-based pregnancy. Julieanna Hever completed her bachelors of arts degree in Theatre from UCLA and then went on to do a masters of science degree in Nutrition from Cal State Northridge, thus bridging her three biggest passions for life food, performing, and helping people.

Ray Cronise is a former NASA scientist currently focused on disrupting diet and nutrition advice. He helped Penn Jillette, and Kevin Smith recover from near-death experiences and has helped thousands of others regain the youthful vitality that comes with proper nutrition.

Show Notes

Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition by Julieanna Hever and Raymond J. Cronise.

The Instant Pot. A a versatile multi-cooker that can do the job of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more. Every kitchen should have an

Follow Julieanna on Instagram Follow Ray on Instagram

Follow on Twitter. Follow on Instagram Thanks to my sponsors:AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Barry Anderson is an actor and songwriter based in New York City.

On Broadway, Barry has appeared in 'Legally Blonde The Musical' and 'Jersey Boys.'

However, it's Barry's international performances with the touring company of 'Jersey Boys' that interested me most. He performed over 2,000 times with the tour! How do you keep healthy and happy while on the road for over six years?

Barry managed that, and he shares the secrets of his success in our conversations.

Barry grew up in the tiny rural town of Osseo, Wisconsin and our conversation begins with Barry sharing the story of his first visit to Manhattan.

Follow Barry on Twitter.

Follow Barry on Instagram

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Phil Rickaby is an actor, playwright and founding member of keystone Theatre. Phil is also the host of the Toronto theatre podcast "Stageworthy."

We also compare notes on religion, our theatre training and Phil's family life, before we move into his writing process.

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Charlotte Gowdy is a graduate of the National Theatre School in Montreal and Ecole Philipe Gaulier in Paris. As an actor, she's played lead roles at the Shaw Festival and theatres across Canada.

These days she's making a career transition as she follows her heart's desire to direct!

As well as a career transition, Charlotte has gone through some personal transformations including quitting alcohol and becoming a vegan.

This episode is packed with great tips for actors and directors. Charlotte shares what she's learned working with the critically acclaimed artistic directors Chris Abraham, Tim Carroll and Jillian Keiley.

Charlotte, who is also a competitive athlete, shares some of the secrets to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while working under the precarious conditions of freelance life.

She also discusses her work directing Anna Chatterton's "Within the Glass" with Troubadour Theatre Collective.

Books Mentioned:

Healthier Leaner Energetic You by Leslie Beck.

Smoothie Nutrition by Victoria Boutenko.

Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition by Julieanna Hever and Raymond J. Cronise.

Sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Stratford Tea Leaves. The world's best, freshest and most exotic loose-leaf teas. Click here.

Johnny Thompson is one of the most respected minds in magic. These days he works with Penn & Teller on both their TV show "Fool Us" and their show at the Rio in Las Vegas.

His passion for show business began at a young age, and he was drawn to carny sideshow. Thompson shares the story of the evolution of his career from a pitchman to sewer worker, jazz musician, orchestrator and magician.

Along the way, Thompson refined both his comedy and magical skills which led to the creation of his nightclub act The Great Tomsoni & Co.

When was the last time you had the chance to spend fifty minutes with a living legend reflecting on his life? It was an honour for me, and I hope you find the time for this intimate interview.

Thompson's secrets have been collected in a two-volume publication: "The Magic of Johnny Thompson."

It includes contributions from Teller and Lance Burton both of whom learned significantly from Thompson and both of whom we discuss in the interview. Other magicians who come up in the interview include Piff the Magic Dragon, Marshall Brodien and the inventor of the "bra trick" Howard Brooks.

Get details about the "The Magic of Johnny Thompson" and watch archival video at Magicana

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

The ticketing institute helps you drive more audience development and that means more new people, attending more shows, more often.

Andrew is also the force behind the Ticketing Professionals Conference and a board member of the International Ticketing Association.

If you produce plays or any kind of show, you'll enjoy this episode.

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Mark Crawford is a playwright and actor.

His play "The Birds and the Bees," which premiered in 2016 at the Blyth Festival and quickly became one of the most-produced Canadian plays of the decade, is runs at the Huron Country Playhouse II until Sept. 1.

His most recent play, "The New Canadian Curling Club," premiered at the Blyth Festival in 2018.

We discuss his writing process and the impact of production budgets on his artistic process.

He shares one of the best ever audition stories that changed his life but not in the way you'd think.

Follow Mark on Twitter: @markjdcrawford

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Mike Shara is one of Canada's most accomplished actors with multiple seasons at the Stratford Festival and the Shaw Festival. He covers a wide range of topics from his time at Theatre School to the limitations of acting in Canadian television. Mike's worst audition story is a classic and, even better, he has some great thoughts on how to avoid blowing the audition before you even open your mouth.

We discuss working with director Chris Abram on The Matchmaker and Othello.

Mike opens up about the struggles he faced learning Shakespeare and how participating in team sports impacts his work.

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

For 20 years Wayne Turmel worked as a stand-up comedian touring throughout North America, headlining clubs and concerts. He appeared on the TV show "Evening at the Improv" and opened for bands such as Chicago and Hall and Oates.

In his mid-life, Wayne began a second career in business development and training. He now helps clients around the world learn to present, sell, and lead people and projects when they're not all in the same place.

Wayne has also written novels, in the podcast, we discuss his newest work of historical fiction, Acre's Bastard, whose central character is a half Syrian, half French child caught up in the madness of a holy war.

Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs PlateSave 50% on a week's worth of delicious food