Today on Too Opinionated, our good friend, author Silvia San Martins drops in to discuss her two new books. 

Silvia San Martín is a journalist specializing in culture and music criticism. She is also a writer and language teacher.

As a journalist, she has worked mainly in radio, print media and for over ten years in online media, especially in the areas of music, culture and society. She has interviewed the most important national and international singers, as well as attending their concerts and press conferences: Ricky Martin, Chayanne, and Shakira are just a few of her interviews. 

Information about my last two books:

The nightmare of working in a bank :

https://silviasanmartin.com/book-number-14-%c2%b7the-nightmare-of-working-in-a-bank/

There is no cure for vitiligo but It is a business :

https://silviasanmartin.com/book-number-15-there-is-no-cure-for-vitiligo-but-it-is-a-business/

New merchandising:

https://silviasanmartin.com/merchandising/

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Today on Too Opinionated we chat with Man on the Inside actress Susan Ruttan!

Susan played Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law from 1986 to 1993. She reprised the role in 2002 for a TV reunion, L.A. Law: The Movie. She earned four nominations for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in show.

Susan first attracted significant attention playing the scheming wife of George Jefferson's dry-cleaning archrival, Gil Cunningham, on The Jeffersons. Other television appearances included episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, AfterMash, Bosom Buddies, Third Rock from the Sun, Remington Steele, Yes, Dear, Newhart and Gilmore Girls. Buffy creator Joss Whedon cast numerous show alumni in 2008's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, including Ruttan who appeared briefly in a non-speaking role.

Susan had a small comedic role in the teen comedy feature film Bad Manners (aka: Growing Pains) (1984),  and the 1990 romantic comedy Funny About Love starring Gene Wilder. She played convicted killer Genene Jones in the television movie Deadly Medicine (1991). She has also appeared in an episode of Hannah Montana ("Promma Mia"). Her most dramatic role to date was in the 2004 remake of Helter Skelter, in which she played the mother of Linda Kasabian. In 2009, she appeared in the movie, Prayers for Bobby.

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Today on Too Opinionated, The Other Stuff, a powerful new short film by writer and director Bernard Gray.

In The Other Stuff, the central theme revolves around the trauma men hold and their intimate internal battles to confront it. The film offers an honest exploration of how Black men, especially those from environments of crime, straddle the paths of good and evil as they attempt to transition into healthier, more fulfilling lives.

The film follows Winston played by Dwain Murphy (CROSS, DIGGSTOWN), a 30-year-old Black man, and Shannon played by Golden Madison (CROSS, LAW & ORDER TORONTO: CRIMINAL INTENT) who embark on a journey of self-discovery through couples therapy before preparing to start a family. However, their journey takes an unexpected and intense turn when Winston’s suppressed childhood trauma surfaces. Under immense emotional strain, Winston confronts his uncle—the source of his abuse—in an effort to find healing and closure. The film highlights the critical role of therapy in helping men face their pain and work through the deep emotional scars that often remain buried.

“The Other Stuff sheds light on the generational trauma and emotional friction that men, especially Black men, face in their daily lives. As a reflection of my personal journey with therapy, the film explores how men are often conditioned to suppress their pain and avoid seeking help, leading to a damaging cycle of silence,” said Bernard Gray. “As men, we are often conditioned to suppress our pain, to "be strong" in ways that ultimately do more harm than good. Through Winston’s story, I aim to challenge this narrative and highlight the power of confronting trauma and the healing that therapy can bring. This film was born out of a deep desire to explore these issues openly and authentically. It is not just a film about trauma—it’s about the emotional barriers we place around ourselves and the internal struggles we face when we try to break free of them. Now, more than ever, we need open conversations about mental health, and connect with audiences on this deeply human issue.”

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“The Collaborator,” is directed by first-time feature filmmaker Travis Hodgkins, adapted from Mirza Waheed’s New York Times bestseller, and is produced by talented women breakout powerhouses, Rashaana Shah and Cristy Coors Beasley.

Set in the 1990s, the drama is a coming-of-age story about a “Boy” growing up during the height of the border war separating Indian Kashmir from Pakistani Kashmir.  “The Collaborator” stars Rudi Dharmalingam (Great Expectations, The Lazarus Project) and newcomer Nikhil Singh Rai, who won the role of the Boy after a two-year search. The cast also includes notable actors Nitin Ganatra (Accused, EastEnders), Vikram Kapadia (The Night Manager) and Meera Ganatra (Blinded by the Light). The film crew comprised of predominately of women, tells a story that raised awareness of the region's longstanding tension while promoting themes of peace and tolerance. The theme is universal and applicable today to several regions across the globe especially at present in the Mideast.

The Collaborator is based on Mirza Waheed’s acclaimed novel.

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Today on Too Opinionated, we chat with actress Lisa Berry! 

Among her notable appearances, she has had the privilege of portraying "Billie" (also known as "Death") in the beloved sci-fi/fantasy series, Supernatural. Her performances as "Cleophas Garroway" in Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments, "Nellie Bullock" in Bad Blood, and "Natashia" in Workin' Moms have also allowed her to connect with a wider audience. Lisa's participation in the well-received horror anthology, Slasher further showcases her versatility as an actress.

Looking forward, Lisa is excited to play one of the leads in Freevee's upcoming series, Beyond Black Beauty and will make a guest appearance in the highly anticipated new show Nesting, created by the talented Anna Hardwick and Rosa Labordé. 

Beyond Black Beauty follows young equestrian Jolie Dumont, whose Olympic dreams are dashed when her mother moves them from Belgium to her family's urban ranch in Baltimore. An angry Jolie wants to escape until she bonds with a spirited horse named Black Beauty. Lisa Berry portrays Yvonne Parrish, a character central to the story’s exploration of heritage and belonging. Yvonne’s life is one of quiet resilience, shaped by the sacrifices she’s made and the roots she’s cultivated in her hometown. 

In addition to acting, Lisa is also a dedicated spiritual and creative coach. She works with a wide range of artists, including actors, writers, painters, and designers, helping them navigate the challenges of creative burnout. Lisa’s coaching practice, Take a Breath, is set to relaunch in November, offering practical tools and community support for those looking to strengthen their spiritual and creative practices.

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Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. first burst onto the national conscience as the Sinatra-and-Soul singing season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent with his incredible voice, undeniable charisma and unparalleled showmanship.  And a decade later, he’s still going strong.

Landau was born into extreme poverty in the Appalachian coalfields of southern West Virginia. His parents split while he was in elementary school, and Landau was shipped off to Detroit in the middle of the night. He woke up in the Motor Cities notoriously gang and drug-riddled “7 Mile” neighborhood. Landau likes to say that he went from Almost Heaven to Little Baghdad overnight!

After a series of dead-end jobs, run-ins with the police and a too-soon failed marriage, Landau eventually found himself homeless and sleeping in his car. Then, his voice became his calling card.

At the end of his rope, Landau tied a knot and pulled himself back up by auditioning for NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent” with thousands of others. After months of competition, Landau emerged the winner, scoring a million dollars, a recording contract, and America’s hearts, and he’s never looked back.

​Landau’s Columbia Records debut album “That’s Life” reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Charts and was followed by “Christmas Made For Two”, “Landau” and “Landau Live In Las Vegas” that was recorded during a performance at the legendary Caesar’s Palace. 

His latest full-length album "I'm Not Messing Around" is Landau's first-ever album of all original material. 

https://stalbanswv.com/event/mayors-christmas-concert-landau-eugene-murphy-jr/

Today on Too Opinionated, we dive into the new film by Producer Douglas Vermeeren entitled The Science of Getting Rich.

Discover the transformative power of wealth creation in Douglas Vermeeren’s latest documentary film, The Science of Getting Rich, which is now being released worldwide. Based and inspired by Wallace D. Wattles's 1910 timeless classic book, THE SCIENCE OF GETTING RICH, this film delves deep into the mental and spiritual principles that lead to success and prosperity and is now available for purchase.

The documentary film features an incredible cast, including personal development legends like Bob Proctor in his final and most inspiring role. The film also features John Assaraf (The Secret), Joe Vitale (The Secret), Sharon Letcher (Rich Dad Poor Dad), John Demartini (The Secret), Marie Diamond (The Secret), Simon Davis (Elite Aligned Coaching), Matt Poechman (real estate investor), Dr. Emily Letran (Business coach), Lana Wolfe (Life coach), Angelika Ullsperer (Life coach) and Paul Preston.

The Science of Getting Rich offers profound insights into achieving financial abundance and personal fulfillment. Join these thought leaders and more as they unveil the secrets to living a rich and meaningful life.

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Today on Too Opinionated we sit down with actress/writer Liz Vassey!

Liz Vassey began acting at the age of nine, performing in over fifty musicals and plays. She moved to New York at the age of sixteen to join the cast of All My Children. For her work on that show, she was nominated for her first Daytime Emmy. 

Since then, Liz has appeared as a regular or recurring character on twelve television shows including ER, Maximum Bob, Necessary Roughness, Brotherly Love, Push Nevada, Two and a Half Men, FOX's live action version of The Tick, and, most recently, Season Two of The Tick reboot on Amazon. But she is probably best known for her five year run on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as DNA technician "Wendy Simms." Liz has also guest starred on many TV shows, starred in many pilots, and appeared in several films. In addition to acting, Liz is an accomplished writer. She co-wrote an episode of CSI during her last season, and has since sold six television pilots and a TV movie, developing for such networks and studios as NBC, Freeform, Universal, Netflix, and CW. An avid runner, Liz recently made her directorial debut with the newly released documentary feature, The Human Race, which focuses on runners over the age of fifty. Liz lives in Hollywood with her husband, David Emmerichs, and their combined brood of way too many pets. 

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Emma Driver, a burgeoning queer artist and cancer survivor, released her powerful new single, "Try Hard," on September 4th. This first release marks a significant step in her healing journey, transforming insecurities into acceptance and aiming to serve as a guiding light for others facing similar struggles. 

Now Emma is back with her new single. Everyone who's hit a trajectory-altering detour in life will want to hear Emma Driver’s revelatory new song “I Don’t Hate It, It’s Just Different.” Inspired by the twin richter-scale jolts of a big breakup followed by a cancer diagnosis at the tender age of 27, Emma’s last few years have felt like a horror film. This song encapsulates the grief of realizing her life isn’t what she had envisioned, and opens the door to a brighter, unexpected future. As she sings in the chorus, “It’s a classic double feature with a gigantic plot twist.”

Emerging from treatment in remission nearly three years after her last release under a different name, Emma felt a rapacious urgency to release music. Returning to New York City, she collaborated with the renowned production duo SUPR8, known for their work with Lolo Zouai, Bradley Simpson, and Princess Nokia. This collaboration resulted in her upcoming four-song EP, "Ashamed To Admit This."

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Eldon Sprickerhoff, widely known and respected for his innovative achievements in cybersecurity, is the Co-Founder of eSentire, a leading global cybersecurity Managed Detection and Response company. Sprickerhoff has a Bachelor of Mathematics (Major: Computer Science, Minor: Economics) from the University of Waterloo, and was awarded the J.W. Graham Medal in Computing and Innovation. He was inducted into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame this year and currently works as a Strategic Advisor at Caledon Ventures. 

Sprickerhoff knows great tech isn’t enough.

“Committed” offers Entrepreneurs “survival strategies” that encourage technical founders to embrace their new title, the one that matters most: Chief Survival Officer.

“Eldon Sprikerhoff is a legend in the Canadian tech sector — for his pioneering success in founding eSentire, and also for being one of the best mentors around. Anyone who has ever wanted to start a business will benefit from Eldon's hard-won wisdom, delivered with his usual candor, wit and humility. This is a terrific guide to building great businesses, but also, and maybe even more importantly, it is a book about how to stay sane and hopeful when the going gets tough.”

•       Charles Finlay, Founding Executive Director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University

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