Coping Conversations

My guest is a well-respected voice actor, known for Porky Pig, Tweety, and many more. We discussed his passion for doing voices, how he was able to connect with Mel Blanc when he was 14 years old, how he developed this into a career, and much more.

My guest has been the bailiff on the Judge Judy Show for its entire 25-year run. We discuss his career as a court officer, how he dealt with difficult situations on the show, how he learned to deal with being so recognizable, and much more.

My guest has a long and varied show business career, and he comes from a show business family. We discuss his career, how humor is such an important coping strategy, and much more.

My guest was starring on Broadway when he was 9 years old, and he went on to appear in the classic TV show "One Day at a Time" and more. We discussed his career, difficulties he's encountered in his life, and how he copes with stress with meditation and self-compassion.  

My guest played Marsha Owens on the classic TV show "Mr. Belvedere." We discuss her long career, her love for theater, and working with legends such as Rodney Dangerfield and Robin Williams.

My guest, actor/producer Kevin Spirtas, discusses his multifaceted career, how he's grown as a person through his varied performances, and how he feels about having an influence on others through his roles.

My guest is an actress who has appeared in the movie "Airplane," as well as on television on the Mary Tyler Moore show, among many other acting credits. In addition to talking about her career, we discuss her new book, "My Four Hollywood Husbands," as well as how she has handled her husbands' alcoholism and her own problems including dyslexia and co-dependency. You'll enjoy her positive attitude,...

My guest is versatile film and television actor Rico Anderson. We discuss his career, his newest project, and quotes that are so important to him.

My guest is comedian Bruce Vilanch. We discuss his multi-faceted career as a performer, standup comedian, and writer and how his sense of humor is his favorite coping strategy.

A Show from 1995! Ian Eagle is well known for his broadcasts of National Football League games on CBS, and Brooklyn Nets games on the YES network. But when Ian was 26, and just becoming known in the industry, he appeared as a guest on "Coping Conversations." The original show has been digitally remastered and this is the first time it has been available on this website.

My guest on this episode is actor Max Gail, perhaps best known as "Wojo" on the hit television series "Barney Miller." We discuss his career, how he's coped with difficult experiences in his life, his advocacy for Native Americans, and more.

Popular television performer, Conrad Bain, is my guest in this extended, archived show, originally taped in his living room in Santa Monica Hills in the 1990s. We talk about his career, how he felt about being the star of two hit television series ("Maude" and "Diff'rent Strokes"), and his experiences in working with Gary Coleman and other stars. We discussed how he dealt with the difficulties in...

Actress/singer Ruta Lee joins me for a return visit. We discuss her show business career, more about her charity work for The Thalians, and her brand-new autobiography.

A very popular singer, whose popularity continues despite his hits coming from the 1950's and 1960's, is my guest, "Mr. Personality", Lloyd Price. We discuss his songs, his longevity in music, how he got that nickname, and a number of other activities that he's involved in. You'll enjoy the personality of Mr. Personality!

Welcome to the 100th episode of Coping Conversations! In this very special episode, host Dr. Bob Phillips addresses a simple strategy to be more resilient and cope better during difficult times. Dr. Bob Phillips is the author of more than 40 best-selling books, and the founder and director of the  Center for Coping  ( www.coping.com ) on Long Island, New York.    

Known for decades as the "Voice of the Yankees", sportscaster Mel Allen (who died in 1996) appeared on "Coping Conversations" less than a year before he died. Known not just for his work for the Yankees, but as a radio and television personality, Mel had one of the most recognizable voices in American sports. This show has been digitally remastered and this is the first time it's been available on...

My guest is actor/singer/dancer George Chakiris, an academy award winner for West Side Story. We discuss how he got this role, his passion for his career, his love of family, and the difficulties he's dealt with in show business.

My guest is Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, one of the founders of cognitive-behavior therapy. We discuss this branch of psychology, the concept of resilience, and how all of this can help people deal with the pandemic and so much more.

My guest is perhaps best known for playing Kevin Costner's father in the classic movie, "Field of Dreams." We discussed how this movie has brought out feelings about father/son relationships, how this affected his feelings about his own father, and how his fans have responded to him in public appearances.

Do you remember the song "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat?" How about "Happy Go Lucky Me?" Both of these songs were hits for guest Paul Evans. We discuss his music career, how he dealt with the ups and downs and changes in his career, and the success he has had writing songs as well as performing.

My guest is actress/singer Joanna Gleason, a Tony Award winner with numerous movie and television roles as well. We discuss her relationship with her father, Let's Make A Deal's Monty Hall, how acting has always been so important to her, and how a good attitude can help you cope with anything!

My guest is a versatile actor who is perhaps best known for playing the hated Douglas C. Neidermeyer in the classic hit movie, "Animal House." We discussed how this role came to be, the difficulties he's had with stereotyping, other joys in his life, and his goals for the future.

My guest is former child star Paul Petersen, who played Jeff Stone on the old Donna Reed Show. Today, Paul is best known for his advocacy work. He founded the well-respected, non-profit organization, A Minor Consideration, that advocates and provides services for child stars and former child stars in trouble. We discuss his personal and professional interest in working with child stars as well as...

One of the most popular television sportscasters in New York television history, Len Berman has covered virtually every major sporting event during his 40-year career. Now a co-host on morning radio in NY, we discuss his changing role in broadcasting, how sports help us cope, the difficulties he's encountered in his career, and more.

My guest is legendary television and radio host, Larry King. Over the past 30 years, he has been suffered and coped with, numerous medical problems. In this archived show, taped in 2015, we discuss his first heart attack in 1987.