UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors

On Episode 9, Claire sits down for a fascinating conversation with CARL ARRINGTON, one of the most respected journalists covering pop culture during the ’60s  thru the ‘00s and through today.  Carl talks in-depth about his cover stories during his years as the music editor for People Magazine, being a freelance writer for Time and Rolling Stone as well as a rock critic and editor for the legendary Circus Magazine, cultural commentator for CBS Radio and a movie reviewer.

We also get a deep dive into his the new podcast series THE CARL ARRINGTON ARCHIVE, featuring excerpts from his unique collection of original audio-taped interviews with a who’s who of the biggest names in music, film and literature, conducted over four decades.  Arrington spent hundreds of hours talking to the most major influential talents of the era including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bob Seger, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Carrie Fisher, Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Patti Smith, Nora Ephron and scores of others – often at crucial moments in the course of their iconic careers.  His interview with Tina Turner (see Episode 1) was featured in the recent award-winning HBO documentary “TINA!” 

THE CARL ARRINGTON ARCHIVE eloquently captures the voices of artists in their own words, revealing their most intimate thoughts and dreams as they sat down for lengthy conversations with Arrington, who had a  gift for creating a safe haven for them to share what was going on in their hearts and minds.  His encyclopedic knowledge and talent allowed him to chronicle what many consider a peak time in the world of entertainment and offer a truly authentic glimpse into the lives of these legendary artists.

For more information about Carl Arrington, follow @CARLARRINGTONARCHIVE on Instagram and subscribe to THE CARL ARRINGTON ARCHIVE on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors, Episode 8 features Part 2 of the exclusive 2-part interview with special guest STEVE BLOOM, former longtime editor of High Times Magazine and publisher of CelebStoner.com.

NYC-based top editor/publisher and author STEVE BLOOM was with High Times Magazine for nearly three decades.  In this episode, he talks more about his career in journalism and the creation of THE weed culture online resource Celeb Stoner.com.  And of course, the candid native New Yorker continues his deep dive with Claire into more of the famous (and infamous!) High Times covers that he booked and managed, with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of the publishing world and its intersection with cannabis and weed culture…including a ridiculous Ozzy Osbourne shoot, Oscar-winner Francis McDormand (yes, she partakes), and many more insider tales of the bygone days of high-flying print magazines…

For an exclusive Under the Covers "Extra" outtake from this episode, about the NYC Media Softball team "The Bonghitters," go to the Under The Covers Episode 8 page on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Arts & Culture Channel.

For more information about Steve Bloom and the latest in drug news and laws, go to www.celebstoner.com and follow them @celebstoner on Instagram.

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UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors, Episode 7 features Part 1 of an exclusive 2-part interview with special guest STEVE BLOOM, former longtime editor of High Times Magazine and publisher of CelebStoner.com.
NYC-based top editor/publisher and author STEVE BLOOM was with High Times Magazine for nearly three decades.  In this episode, he talks about his journalistic background as a music reviewer in the ‘70s and ‘80s at Rolling Stone and many other top titles, to his early interest in gaming magazines dating back to the early ‘80s…and of course, the candid native New Yorker does a deep dive with Claire into many of the famous (and infamous!) High Times covers that he booked and managed, with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of the publishing world and of course, its intersection with cannabis and weed culture…including Snoop Dogg’s visit to the High Times offices back in the day, Oscar-winner Francis McDormand (yes, she partakes), the surprisingly professional Cypress Hill cover, a cover-that-never-happened with Sarah Silverman and many more insider tales of the bygone days of high-flying print magazines…

For more information about Steve Bloom and the latest in drug news and laws, go to www.celebstoner.com and follow them @celebstoner on Instagram.

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UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors, Episode 6 features special guest, stylist to the stars and fashion editor/style director MICHELLE MCCOOL.  Michelle is a publishing industry vet, having worked as a fashion director and editor for notable magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Allure, Glamour, Elle and Shape (for a time with Claire!).  She’s literally traveled the world styling fashion shoots with top models and celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Dakota Fanning, Adele, Cameron Diaz, and Beyoncé.  Michelle has styled cover shoots for amazing women like Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone, Lauren Cohan, Jaimie Alexander, and Kate Beckinsale.

This fascinating episode “covers" not only behind-the-scenes action of the famous women she dressed for the biggest covers in America, but also her career pivot to creating her own company, luxury personal styling service MCCOOLSTYLE.COM.  To learn more about Michelle and her company (and to see her spectacular portfolio) go to www.michellemccoolstyle.com and follow her @mccoolstyle on Instagram.

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UNDER THE COVERS Episode 5 features part 2 of host Claire Connors' two-part conversation with writer/editor Sharon Boone.  On the second part of this timely, insightful and witty interview, they discuss the systemic racism running through the industry, often called “publishing’s dirty secret."   Sharon and Claire talk more about working behind-the-scenes at Conde Nast, The Devil Wears Prada, Andre Leon Talley's explosive new memoir and the future of the publishing world and how it will (hopefully) change for the better.  Of course, the question on everyone’s mind is, will Anna Wintour finally hang up her Manolos? Tune in to find out what Sharon thinks! 

For more information about content creator, writer and editor Sharon Boone, go to www.sharonrboone.com.  Check out her cocktails-and-a-black-and-white-movie site www.thelushiouslife.com and follow her on Instagram @sharonrboone

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UNDER THE COVERS Episodes 4 features part 1 of host Claire Connors' two-part conversation with writer/editor Sharon Boone.   They discuss the news coming out of Conde Nast and other media outlets about the toppling of the top editors and the systemic racism running through the industry, often called “publishing’s dirty secret.” Sharon talks about magazines like Ebony, Jet, and RightOn!, staples in her home, but also her love of magazines like Seventeen and Glamour, two publications she ended up working for. She speaks fondly of her experience as a young Black assistant editor at McCall’s but also about her time at other magazines where her voice was often not heard at all.  This funny, insightful and engaging sit-down with Sharon Boone couldn’t be more timely, especially with what’s going on right now in the world.

For more information about content creator, writer and editor Sharon Boone, go to www.sharonrboone.com and check out her cocktails-and-a-black-and-white-movie site www.thelushiouslife.com

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On Episode 3 of UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors, Claire gets cozy with Trent Straube, the former editor-in-chief of the fabulous queer magazine, HX, a NYC club staple for nearly two decades. Trent gives us a peek under HX’s most famous covers—featuring sexy LGBTQ performers and stars like Madonna and Kylie Minogue.  Now the deputy editor of POZ, a magazine that serves the community of folks living with HIV/AIDS, Trent talks about working for these vital publications for most of his 25-year career, and how he landed those hard-to-get celebrities for his covers. You’ll love his insidery story about Beyoncé and how her HX cover story helped smooth over her then-controversial standing with the LGBTQ community. It must’ve worked because today she is a full-fledged gay icon!

For more information about Trenton Straube go to www.poz.com or follow Poz @pozmagazine on Instagram.

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On Episode 2 of UNDER THE COVERS with Claire Connors, Claire and co-host Zak Wojnar sit down with “triple threat” editor/writer/booker Michele Shapiro about her nearly three decade career in the publishing world.  From her beginnings as a film editor at the then-launching Time Out New York, to her stints at Seventeen, Self, Glamour, et.al, Michele recounts some of her favorite cover bookings and celebrity interviews.  Claire and Michele also get into the ever-changing landscape of magazines, digital print and Michele’s continuing work as a cover booker and branded content consultant - along with a lot of laughs and insider info!

For more information about Michele Shapiro go to www.rootwordsinc.com

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On the premiere episode of UNDER THE COVERS with Host Claire Connors, Claire chats with special guest co-host and gaming industry insider Zak Wojnar of ScreenRant about her illustrious career in the publishing world.  They also chat about upcoming features and guests on this fabulous new podcast series, exclusively on jasoncharles.net podcast network.

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