Heart in Motion Podcast: Celebrating Stories that Move Us

I absolutely loved getting to chat a couple of weeks ago with Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney about Season 2 of Mistletoe Murders. During a podcaster junket we talked about the chemistry and boundary pushing, how their characters are so relatable to the audience and how Sarah's role as a producer is such an asset to the series. We also chatted about the lovestory between Emily and Sam. If you have...

Daniel Lissing joined me, and several other podcasters, to talk about Single on the 25th, Hallmark’s upcoming Christmas film where two neighbors strike up an unexpected “friendly singles” pact that turns into something neither of them could have predicted. We dig into how he approached Cooper’s mix of charm and avoidance, the moments he thinks fans will replay, and what this film might mean for an...

Join me as I sit down with Marcus Rosner—actor, writer, and producer—to talk about his new Lifetime movie Christmas in Alaska, premiering December 12 at 10/9c. We get into everything from stepping into a dual role as actor and producer, to Oliver and Megan’s rival-energy meet-cute, to the scenes he thinks fans will replay once the credits roll. Marcus also opens up about his short film Emergency,...

Join me for a conversation with Kerry James, who has played Caleb Odell on Heartland since Season 2. We dive into Season 19, including Episode 4’s intense plane sequence, Caleb’s evolving journey on the show, and what it’s like stepping back into key moments from his long history on the show. We talk about:What’s kept Heartland thriving for nearly two decadesKerry’s early years on the show and the...

Heather Hemmens joins me to talk about her new Hallmark Christmas movie The Snow Must Go On, premiering Friday, November 28 at 6/5c and streaming the next day on Hallmark+. She plays Lilly-Anne Brigente, a guidance counselor determined to save a high school Christmas musical—and maybe spark a little romance along the way. Heather shares what drew her to the story, how she built chemistry with Core...

The amazing Erin Cahill joins me to dive into Christmas at the Catnip Café—a story full of community, connection, and a few unpredictable cats. She walks through Olivia’s journey and why she absolutely said "yes" to working with Paul Campbell and the phenomenal director, Lucie Guest. We get into the chaos of working with real cats, the dynamics between Olivia and Ben, and the “big moment...

I'm thrilled that Ben Rosenbaum could join me to talk about The Christmas Cup, premiering November 30th on Hallmark Channel. We get into everything—Quinn’s journey, his collaboration with Rhiannon Fish, stellar performances from his When Calls the Heart buddies and how they all ended up in Kelowna plus he shares what moments he's really excited for everyone to see. If you love Hallmark, WC...

I laughed so much with Jennifer Wigmore! She joins me to talk about Melt My Heart This Christmas—her role as Bianca Bonhomme, what drew her to the script, and how she approached playing a legendary glassblower facing burnout and reinvention. We dig into her dynamic with Laura Vandervoort, the emotional layers behind Bianca’s journey, and the moment she thinks viewers will be talking about after th...

Niall Matter joins me to talk about his new Hallmark Christmas movie We Met in December, premiering Thanksgiving night. We dig into what drew him to the script, how he and Autumn Reeser created that instant spark, the emotional honesty behind Dave and Annie’s story, and the scenes he thinks will stay with viewers long after the credits roll. We also get into his role as Bael in Providence Falls—fr...

The amazing Rhiannon Fish joins me to talk all about her new Hallmark movie A Christmas Cup, where she stars as Staff Sergeant Kelly Brandt—returning home after a knee injury throws her military future into doubt. What starts as a difficult homecoming turns into an unexpected challenge: leading her hometown team in the annual Christmas Cup. With the help of Fire Captain Quinn Stokley (Ben Rosenbau...

Rachel Boston joins me to talk all about her new Hallmark Christmas movie The More the Merrier, where she stars as Alice, an ER doctor who always signs up for the Christmas Eve overnight shift. This year, a snowstorm shuts down the hospital, three births hit the ER at once, and Alice teams up with Brian, the new cardiologist played by Brendan Penny. We get into:• Who Alice is beyond the scrubs• Th...

Director Dustin Rikert joins me again to unpack the stories behind Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. The movie centers on two next-door families who proudly carry the Bills Mafia spirit, but there’s a lot more brewing beneath the snow, the rivalry, and the romance. Dustin walks me through filming in Buffalo, how the weather shaped the shoot, and what it’s really like to make a movie inside Hi...

Erik Gow joins me to talk Christmas in the Clouds and his unforgettable turn as Pip—the jolly flight attendant. We dig into how he got the role, the improv that made it into the final cut, what really happened during that moment when he was inches from Erin’s face, and how director Peter Benson guided his performance. We also look beyond the airplane aisle and into Hope Valley. Erik breaks down hi...

Writer Russell Hainline joins me to talk about Three Wisest Men and Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! He shares what fans can expect from the Brenner brothers’ next chapter — from chaos, comedy, and family surprises to the big Christmas moments that make Hallmark movies unforgettable. Russell also dives into working with Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Kimberley Sustad, and Robert Buckley, p...

In this episode, I sit down with actress-producer Fiona Gubelmann to unpack her dual role in the new A Royal Montana Christmas (watch on Hallmark + or check your Hallmark Channel listings). We dive into: How the story came together and what it meant to launch Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas. Her journey joining the film in both actor & producer capacities — and the big creative ideas she cha...

Under that sweeping Montana sky, Where the Wind Blows (2025) reminds you that sometimes the one you’re rescuing ends up rescuing you right back. Based on Caroline Fyffe’s bestselling novel, the 2025 film stars Ashley Elaine as Jessie Strong — a widow determined to survive on her own terms — and Trevor Donovan as Chase Logan, a drifter who never expected to find a home again. Their story unfolds ag...

Ginna Claire Mason joins me to talk all about her brand-new Hallmark movie A Newport Christmas — premiering Sunday night at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and W Network in Canada, and Monday on Hallmark Plus! We had the best time diving into the film’s time-travel twist, the charm of 1905 Newport, and what happens when a socialite from the past meets a modern-day sailor (played by Wes Brown). Ginna open...

I had a blast talking with Director and Writer of "A Newport Christmas" Dustin Rikert. We dig into what makes this movie so unexpected — from its non-traditional story flow to the emotional love triangle that feels straight out of The Notebook. And, we talk about what it’s like collaborating again with Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown. Dustin takes us behind the scenes of filming in Newp...

Actress Meghan Heffern joins me to talk about her role as Kate Cooper in the upcoming Hallmark movie Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! From sibling chaos to Christmas comedy, Meghan shares behind-the-scenes stories, working with Robert Buckley, Kimberley Sustad, and director Jason Bourque, and what makes this holiday film so unpredictable. We also look back at some of Meghan’s fan-favorite roles — incl...

What really goes into making a Christmas movie that feels both timeless and fresh? Director Jason Bourque (Our Holiday Story, A World Record Christmas) joins me to talk about his latest film Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper, starring Robert Buckley and Kimberley Sustad — a mix of slapstick, sincerity, and small-town heart. From hospital hijinks and escape rooms to the moments that made everyone laugh o...

I sat down with actress Shae Robins to dig into her journey—from making Christmas films on Great American Family, to stepping into the role of Natalie in A Christmas Prayer alongside Christopher Russell. In this conversation:- How Shae found her way into holiday-movies and what drew her to this particular project.- Who Natalie really is, how Shae brought pieces of herself into the character, and t...

Actress and producer Masey McLain (I’m Not Ashamed, The Baxters) joins me to talk about her newest film Soul on Fire, opening in theaters Friday, October 10th. Masey shares what it was like portraying Beth O’Leary—the real-life wife of burn survivor and motivational speaker John O’Leary—in this moving story of faith, love, and redemption. We also talk about her creative partnership with Taylor Kal...

I had such a fun time chatting with Emmanuella and Ruby Spencer, the talented twins behind Lyndy on Heartland and “Little Alice” in Lifetime’s The Little Girl Who Lived. In this interview, they share what it was like working with Brittany Bristow, how this movie differed from their years on Heartland, and what they loved most about stepping into a brand-new role. We also talk about their Nova Star...

I had the chance to sit down with Katie Stevens to talk about her journey from American Idol to The Bold Type and now stepping into the role of Cora in Hallmark’s Providence Falls. We dive into: What life looked like after American Idol Her favorite memories from The Bold Type Why she said “yes” to Providence Falls Behind-the-scenes stories from the lake, zipper, and chair scenes Working with Lach...

I sat down with Jon McLaren to cover four very different projects that highlight just how versatile he is as an actor. We talk about his new role as Lewis Hedges in Crossroad Springs — including working again with Erin Agostino, filming that pivotal baptism scene, and what’s ahead for Season 1.Jon also takes us behind the scenes of A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story, his first true-crime...