Coping Conversations

In this show, originally aired in October of 2003, Gary Puckett, lead singer of the '60's group, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, discusses his songwriting and the ups and downs of an interesting life and musical career.

My guest, a Long Island, NY, native, is an American radio personality, a co-host on the MTV program, Yo! MTV Raps with Ed Lover. We discuss his musical roots, how he knows the "other" Dr. Dre, and how he's dealing with his diabetes and its complications.

My guest is popular actress Joan Van Ark, perhaps best known for playing Valene Ewing on the hit TV show Knots Landing. We discuss her career, her thoughts about the recent Kobe Bryant tragedy, her warm feelings about Bette Davis, and her charity work.

This show's guest is popular actress Jennie Garth who, among other roles, starred in Beverly Hills 90210 and What I Like About You, and appeared on Dancing With The Stars. We discuss how she has coped with her heart disease, her father's death, and her daughter's juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Her positive attitude is key, and something to be admired. We discuss all of this, as well as the work sh...

My guest on this episode is actor Tony Dow, perhaps best known as Wally Cleaver on the classic television series "Leave It To Beaver." We discuss his career, how he's coped with being a child star, and how he's branched out in other creative directions besides acting.

My guest is perhaps best known for playing the stuttering public defender in the hit movie, "My Cousin Vinnie." But he's much more than that. We discuss his career in movies and in theater, and how he conquered his stuttering problem, even when asked to play that role in a movie.

Still known as the only player in baseball history to pitch a perfect game in the World Series, New York Yankee pitcher Don Larsen appeared on "Coping Conversations" in 1996 (to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that unbelievable achievement). Now, twenty-four years later, in honor of the 64th anniversary of Don's historic event, this show has been digitally-remastered and it is the first time it'...

My guest is the popular morning man on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's 60s on 6 station, Phlash Phelps. We discuss his career in radio, the difficulties he's had to deal with in his career, and how he has famously incorporated his love for geography and travel into his work.

My guest is best known for playing "The Beaver" on the classic television show, "Leave It To Beaver." We discuss his being an actor for his entire life, as well as he has coped with type 2 diabetes.

My guest was married to legendary actor, singer Theodore Bikel, perhaps best known as Tevye on stage in Fiddler on the Roof. Before his death, he wrote a children's book called, The City of Light, which, after his death, his wife Aimee expanded and just published. We discuss the book, its role in helping people deal with insensitivities, and other important messages.

My guest played Ralph Malph on the hit TV show "Happy Days." But he is known for more than that. An accomplished singer and actor, we discuss his career, how he's coped with being typecast, and how he's coped with his wife's Parkinson's Disease. 

My guest is popular actress Donna Mills, perhaps best known for playing Abby Cunningham on the hit TV show Knots Landing. She is currently appearing in the new movie, "Carol of the Bells." We discuss her career, how she coped with playing the villainous Abby, her warm feelings about Carol of the Bells, and her new hobby of being co-owner of an award-winning vineyard.

My guest is veteran actress Lee Purcell, perhaps best known for the movie "Valley Girl" but a star in numerous movies, television shows, and stage productions. She is currently starring in the new movie, "Carol of the Bells." We discuss the unique nature of this movie and her thoughts about her long career.

This episode's guest loves to make people laugh. In fact, his nickname is "The Joke Man".  Becoming well known for his regular appearances on The Howard Stern Show, he has developed a popular career as a stand-up comedian, author, and overall funny man. 

My guest is a founding member of the popular singing group, the 5th Dimension- LaMonte McLemore. We discuss his new book, "From Hobo Flats to the 5th Dimension", co-authored with Robert-Allan Arno, his career with the 5th Dimension, and the difficulties in his life that he was able to overcome.

My guest is veteran actress, dancer, humanitarian Ruta Lee, who starred in such classic films as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Witness for the Prosecution, and Funny Face. She is also known for her decades-long involvement in the charity organization The Thalians.

Grammy-award-winning country singer Charlie Daniels is perhaps best known for his 1979 hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". He has been active as a singer for more than 50 years, and in 2008 was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, a lifelong dream. With dozens of successful albums and singles; his newest CD is "Land That I Love". We discuss his career, the stroke that he suffered early in 2010, and...

Steven Taibbi is the author of the new book, "Grateful Guilt: Living in the Shadow of My Heart". We discuss his serious lifelong medical issues, starting at birth, as well as how he's coped with all of this and the lessons that he can teach people for coping.

In honor of the start of another season of baseball, listen to an interview with one of the most popular New York Yankees of all time, Bobby Richardson. Bobby, who played second base during the era of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra, among other big names, has been considered by many the glue that held the team together. Now 80 years old, we discuss his career, as well as his spiritual...

My guest, Anson Williams, played Potsie Weber on the hit TV show "Happy Days." We discuss his career, how he's coped with his recent experience with colon cancer, his relationship with Dr. Heimlich (of Heimlich maneuver fame) and his experience dealing with the dangers of driving drowsy.

Gabrielle Stone is an actress, author, dancer, and director... and also the daughter of one of our previous guests, Dee Wallace. She is currently getting a lot of buzz for her newest book, "Eat, Pray, #FML". We discuss her acting career, her relationship with her famous parents, and how her book helped her cope with adversity.

Jodie Sweetin, perhaps best known for playing Stephanie Tanner on TV's "Full House," has gone through a lot in her young life. We discuss her autobiography, "Unsweetined", which includes stories about her addictions, failed marriages, and her successful recovery, as well as the current joy in her life.

Perhaps best known as the mother in the hit movie "E.T.", Dee Wallace is known for much more than her performances. We discuss her acting career, as well as her activities as an author and healer. We discuss how healing has helped her to deal with tragedy in her life, and how she has learned to help many more people with her skills.

My guest is one of the most popular singers in America, whose popularity has lasted for more than 50 years, the legendary Judy Collins. Known not only for her singing, but also her writing, and she has long been an advocate for mental health. We discuss the personal reasons for this as well as her lengthy career, and more.

First aired in 2004, this discussion is with one of the most famous psychologists in history. We discuss the development of innovative psychological strategies from its earliest roots to the modern form of cognitive therapy in use worldwide today.