Coping Conversations

Judy Tenuta is not only a very funny comedienne, she's an actress and an author. We discuss her career, how her large family contributed to her strengths, how she's coped with difficult things in her life, and her memories of Joan Rivers and George Carlin, among others.

Former New York Knicks star power forward Anthony Mason, who sadly passed away in 2012, is my guest. We discuss his career, how he coped with injuries, how his attitude always helped him, his views on the difference between basketball past and present, and how his career grew out of his playing day experiences.

My guest is best known as Maryann on the classic television show, "Gilligan's Island." We discussed the reasons for the lasting power of the show, how the values presented continue to be important, and how she continues to be productive in the industry. We also discuss her new book and her new television series.

Best known as the mother on the hit TV series "The Waltons", my guest is a four-time Emmy award winner, television, stage, and screen actress, Michael Learned. We discuss her acting career, as well as some of the difficulties she's encountered in her life. We also discuss how she came to be named Michael!

This fascinating show with Lainie Kazan was originally recorded and aired in 1995! It has been digitally remastered and this is the first time it's been available on this website. Having starred in "The Nanny" and, subsequent to this recording, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", among many other things, you'll enjoy this vintage program with Lainie.

In this new solo podcast, Dr. Phillips discusses strategies for getting through this unique holiday season while still in the midst of the pandemic. 

Do you remember the song "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window"? One of the most popular songs of all time was a hit for my guest, the late Patti Page. One of the music industry's best-selling singers, also known for her hits "Cape Cod", "Tennessee Waltz", and "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte", we discuss a career that has lasted more than five decades, as well as some of the difficulties she has endur...

My returning guest has appeared in more than 200 movies and television shows, including playing the mother in the movie E.T. We discuss what she's up to as an actress as well as her career as a healer.

This show, originally aired in 1998, features one of the most popular stage, screen, and television ("The Odd Couple", "Quincy, M.E.") stars of all time. At the time of this taping, he was 76 years old (he died in 2012 at age 90), and, following surgery for throat cancer that removed a vocal cord, had resumed performing! We discuss his condition, the surgery, his positive attitude, as well as his...

My guest played Potsie Webber on TV's Happy Days. We discuss how he's been coping, and helping other people cope, during the pandemic.

My guest is actor Hank Garrett, perhaps best known for his roles in the TV sitcom Car 54, Where Are You and the movie "Three Days of the Condor". We discuss his complex career and his new book, "From Harlem Hoodlum to Hollywood Heavy."

Happy Days star Don Most is my guest. We discuss his role of Ralph Malph, as well as new upcoming projects, and how he's dealing with the pandemic.

This archived show, originally taped in 1995, features one of the most popular actors of all time, known for his work on stage, screen, and television. Perhaps best known for his work on TV's "The Odd Couple", Tony Randall (who died in 2004) has a unique insight into show business and performing. His love of the arts, and his perceptiveness and sense of humor, make this a fascinating show.

This show with the late Broadway actress ("Company"), movie ("Monster In Law") and television star ("30 Rock") Elaine Stritch is both humorous and touching. We discuss Elaine's alcoholism as well as her diabetes, and learn how her positive attitude helped her with both… and more.

In this archived episode, originally aired in February of 1995 (hence it's questionable sound quality), the late Gary Coleman, star of "Diff'rent Strokes", discusses the few fond memories of the program, what he's done since the termination of the show, and other topics of interest. Although more than ten years old, this show reflects Gary's true feelings about a number of things and makes for fas...

My guest is former New York Yankee pitcher, Ralph Terry, author of a new book, called "Right Down the Middle: The Ralph Terry Story". We discuss his major league career, how he dealt with the very stressful experiencing of losing the 7th game of the 1960 World Series, and how he bounced back to be the winning pitcher of the 7th game of the 1962 World Series.

My guest is actress Alison Arngrim, perhaps best known as playing Nelly Oleson on the hit TV show, "Little House on the Prairie." On this return visit, we discuss her acting activities, including how she has been creative and productive during the coronavirus pandemic.

This show with the former ER star and well-respected actress, dating from 2003, shows how adversity strengthened Kellie Martin and led her to become a public advocate for autoimmune diseases and their treatment. It also discusses the efforts of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), for whom Kellie is the national spokesperson.

This humor-packed show with legendary comedian Soupy Sales was originally recorded and aired in 1994! Soupy, who died in 2009, was best known for his hit television show, and for having been hit in the face with pies more than any other human being!

Former New York Jets star defensive football player Joe Klecko is my guest. We discuss his career, how he coped with injuries, his views on the difference between football past and present, and the importance of teamwork, among other topics. He also offers advice to current New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.

My guest is television and movie star Esai Morales. We discuss his career, ranging from his early movies such as La Bamba, through his television roles, including NYPD Blue and Fairly Legal. We talk about how he's coped with the difficulties he's faced in show business, his important advocacy activities, and how his love for music has been so supportive and essential in his life.

My guest is a teacher, an educational expert, and the son of legendary actress Charlotte Rae. We discuss the impact his mother had on him, how he benefited from growing up with a special needs brother, and his views about the difficulties faced in education due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Joe Bonsall is one of the lead singers of the popular country group Oak Ridge Boys, perhaps best known for their monster hit "Elvira". In addition to singing with the Oak Ridge Boys for almost 40 years, he is also an author, writing the popular book "From My Perspective." We discuss his career, the difficulties he's encountered in show business, his devotion to family, and the story behind his chi...

Rick Barry, one of the 50 best professional NBA basketball players of all time, is my returning guest. We discuss sports as a coping tool and the new Big3 basketball league for well-known players who are no longer playing in the NBA.

Dr. Noel Rose was an internationally renowned expert in autoimmune disease; he had been doing research in this specialty for more than 50 years. Dr. Rose was instrumental in establishing the whole field of autoimmunity, and his textbook, "The Autoimmune Diseases" is a classic. He was professor of pathology and molecular microbiology and immunology and Director of the Johns Hopkins University Cente...