Entertaining Insights with Dr. Nancy Berk

Cory B. Savage joins Nancy to discuss his atypical career journey and new role as CEO of new record label One Vision Music Group (1:26), the power of developing skillsets, the importance of brand strategy, and how authenticity can build the best artists. Plus Nancy talks with custom guitar builder Ron Mason about his later in life decision to become a luthier and begin his business RWM Guitars (32...

R&B hitmaker Johnny Gill joins Nancy to discuss the inspiration behind his music and latest album Game Changer II , the debut single "Soul of a Woman" and music video with Tiffany Haddish. And Gill reveals whether we can expect a New Edition reunion (1:23). Find out more about segment sponsor Rock and Romance Cruise  (1:02). Plus Nancy shares an opportunity for women screenwriters from The Writers...

Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and producer Mike Reiss joins Nancy to discuss his career journey including decades with The Simpsons , his books , advice for writers in a competitive industry, (1:37) and upcoming appearance at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (35:10).   Plus Nancy shares a magazine humor column inspired by goats (47:12). Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruis...

Author Amy Ephron joins Nancy to discuss The Other Side of the Wall , the third book in her trilogy for young readers, her creative career, and writing process (1:54). Plus, website developer Rene Morozowich offers some tips and strategies for creating an effective website (31:29). Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:34). Check out Amy's other books here . Visit Nancy's we...

Comedy Cellar owner Noam Dworman joins Nancy to discuss the history and highlights of the legendary New York City comedy institution, why famous Comedy Cellar alums keep coming back, and the ever-changing world of stand-up (1:27). Plus, television comedy writer, producer and stand-up Joel Madison ( Roseanne, Crashing ) shares a lesson learned from the comedy stage (37:07). Find out more about segm...

Comedian Wendy Liebman joins Nancy to discuss her stand-up journey from earlier performances to popular late night show appearances and comedy specials, and the importance of mentoring and being memorable (1:48). Plus, a review of the popular Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (22:00, 25:23) and a humor essay that helped change Nancy's writing world (37:48). Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimat...

Emmy Award-winning cartoonist Cathy Guisewite joins Nancy to discuss the history of her daily comic strip Cathy , finding humor in challenging topics, her creative process, why she ended the popular comic strip after three decades, and her new book Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault (1:45). Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:22). And to kick off the new year, career succes...

Singer-songwriter Kalie Shorr joins Nancy to discuss her acclaimed album Open Book , the Song Suffragettes and the changing culture for women in music, performing with music idols and finding your unique creative voice (1:31). Need some last minute gift ideas? Nancy is joined by entertainment writer Megan McLachlan for some entertainment-driven suggestions (29:20). Find out more about segment spon...

Karolyn Grimes joins Nancy to discuss her childhood role as Zuzu Bailey in Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life , working with the director and Jimmy Stewart, and how the film came back into her life decades after its release (1:23). Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:02). Do you have a little family-driven comedy or stress during the holidays? Maybe you'll recognize a few...

Improv favorite Abby McEnany joins Nancy to discuss her new Showtime series Work in Progress , sharing her very personal story and struggles onscreen, and the importance of creating a dialogue for learning (1:31). Watch the Work in Progress trailer. Find out more about segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:07). Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office offers up advice on how to get i...

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant joins Nancy to discuss her Christmas music , creative growth and finding inspiration in reconnecting with yourself (2:08). Find out more about our segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (1:50). Nancy adds a little holiday humor with her take on greeting cards from her award-winning humor column (34:05). And listen to this episode's takeaway tip (38:3...

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood's David Newell  joins Nancy to discuss his role as speedy delivery man Mr. McFeely on the beloved children's show, his friend, star and show creator Fred Rogers, and the new feature film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (1:37). Find out more about our segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise (49:30). Also, Chris Rodell , author of Growing Up in the REAL Mister Rogers' N...

Walter Williams, Sr. founding member of the legendary R & B group The O'Jays, (1:16) joins Nancy to discuss his musical journey, the group's road to success and recent Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame induction. Nancy also shares her 2019 Ultimate Disco Cruise onboard interview with Earl Young and The Trammps (28:36). Find out more about our segment sponsor Ultimate Disco Cruise . (:56) Visit Nancy...

Guinness World Record-holding juggler Niels Duinker (2:43) joins Nancy to discuss his highly-specialized career and how his juggling hobby became a full-time, thriving, multidimensional business. And broadcast media expert and ventriloquism coach Gary Owen (28:36) offers advice for making practice a habit while maximizing its potential to ignite success. Find out more about our segment sponsor Ult...

Actor, publisher, and writer Kathryn Leigh Scott (1:57) joins Nancy for another dose of Halloween as they discuss the longstanding popularity of cult classic show Dark Shadows. Plus Kathryn shares the story behind her new novel September Girl , her strategy for balancing projects, and tips for book writing and jumpstarting your own fiction project. (24:47) Find out more about our segment sponsor U...

Butch Patrick joins Nancy for a special Halloween episode to discuss the legacy of the popular series The Munsters and his character Eddie Munster, his work building upon his love of the series and cars and creating a career niche that blends both. (1:56) Keeping with the autumn theme, Nancy shares her not-so-perfect apple picking adventures. (26:48) Plus, a takeaway tip to add a little twist to y...

Comedian Nate Bargatze joins Nancy to discuss his comedy journey, family influences, writing process, the power of Netflix, and upcoming Vegas show . (1:59) Find out more about our segment sponsor Rock and Romance Cruise . (32:00) And in our new segment, Stand-Up Strategy , comedian and impressionist Terry Jones shares a life lesson he learned from comedy that can be applied to the real world. (32...

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett and The Blackhearts) joins Nancy to discuss his music, sobriety, and the impact of his work and his album Clean Getaway in the recovery community and beyond. And in our Entertaining Destination segment: Why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a "must visit" online and IRL. Plus, a take-away tip that could make an important difference. Read about addi...

Actor Jon Provost joins Nancy to discuss his career, including his role as Timmy in the beloved series Lassie , and the bottom line about being in the well. Nancy adds a little humor as she addresses school lunchbox anxiety. Plus, a fun flashback tip. Find out more about segment sponsor Soul Train Cruise.

Jazz pianist and nationally recognized entertainment lawyer David Gurwin joins Nancy to discuss his creative-based career, copyright law, and ways writers, comics, musicians and other artists can protect their intellectual property from misuse. And author and publisher Donna Cavanagh jumps into our first How To segment with advice for writers before they write, finish, pitch, or sell their books....

Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Michael Epstein joins Nancy to discuss his film John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky , capturing the untold story of John Lennon & Yoko Ono's relationship, and their creative journey that brought the Imagine album to life. And in keeping with that creative solitude vibe, our Entertaining Opportunities segment features a conversation with novelist and screenwriter An...

Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Brian Kiley joins Nancy to discuss his comedy career including stand-up, over two decades as a staff writer for Conan O'Brien, and new novel Maybe Kevin . And in our new Entertaining Opportunities segment, comedy writer/producer Linda Perret shares a stand-up comedy opportunity . Plus, Nancy's take-away tips from this episode.

Cassandra Peterson , the actress and entrepreneur behind cult favorite character Elvira , joins Nancy to discuss the decades-long success of the popular franchise, her journey, strategies, and important fan connections. And Nancy goes back stage on the Ultimate Disco Cruise to meet R&B/disco group Tavares to talk with Ralph, Chubby, Butch and Tiny Tavares about their entertainment-driven family bu...

Emmy-nominated comedy writer and producer Bruce Ferber (Home Improvement, Sabrina The Teenage Witch) joins Nancy to talk about expressing our creative voices, examining work roles, and his new book The Way We Work: On The Job in Hollywood . Nancy takes a humor detour to analyze yard work and seriously examines a great career lesson from the Vent Haven International Ventriloquism Convention . Find...

Disco legend Yvonne Elliman joins Nancy during the Ultimate Disco Cruise to talk about her early rise to fame after being discovered by Andrew Lloyd Weber, her hit songs ("I Don't Know How To Love Him", "If I Can't Have You"), strong fan base, and connecting with our past in special ways. And Nancy shares her own rock star experience marked with a bit of comedy, along with a glimpse into her upcom...