"Love's A Secret Weapon" Podcast

“For you are a magnet and I am steel.” Sound familiar? Those unforgettable lyrics come from the 1978 Billboard Top 10 hit “Magnet and Steel", written and performed by Walter Egan — and in this special episode, he joins Donna and Dr. Adam in conversation! Walter takes us on a journey starting in New York with his surf rock band The Malibooz, followed by five years with the Washington D.C.-base...

Come spend Valentine’s Day with Donna and Dr Adam and special guest Domenic Priore! Domenic is a writer and expert in ‘60s popular music and youth culture. In this episode, the trio take a trip down the rabbit hole to 1960s Los Angeles through five of Domenic’s books: Riot on Sunset Strip , a chronicle of the electrifying rise and fall of the Sunset Strip music scene; Pacific Ocean Park , a histor...

We think it’s almost Christmas time! In this holiday special and sixth season finale, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by Gaylord Fields! Gaylord is a longtime host on WFMU, a DJ, and writer whose eclectic interests in music span genres and generations. In conversation, Gaylord shares how music has been a throughline throughout his life and career, and the trio share some Christmas memories. Gaylord a...

It's time for the Girls! In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by DJ Glynis Ward, host of WFMU "Crayons to Perfume", a weekly radio show dedicated to girl groups and women artists from the '60s. In conversation, Glynis shares how she became a champion of the girl group sound, having started as a DJ and writer in Canada. Along the way, you'll be introduced to garage rock rarities like the a...

Are you a fan of classic film and television? Well, Donna and Dr Adam have you covered when they are joined by two very special guests: Scott Morrow and Shannon Allen! As a child actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Scott “Scotty” Morrow played Hope Lange’s brother in the film “Peyton Place” and was seen in classic shows “The Donna Reed Show”, “Wagon Train”, “Lassie”, and “My Three Sons”. Sha...

Ep 83 Part 1 Come along with Donna and Dr Adam and experience the famous ancient village of Alberobello in Southern Italy with its well-preserved Trulli houses in this special video episode! From Donna: "In 1967, I found myself in a Warner Bros recording studio in Rome, Italy. I was asked to sing a theme to a movie called "Once Before I Die", starring Ursula Andress. To promote the song Warner Bro...

Ep 83 Part 2 Ciao, Love’s A Secret Weapon community! Fancy a summer vacation in Italy? Back in June and July, Dr Adam was travelling around Europe – and Donna and Dr Adam thought you might like to come along! They caught up twice: once in Alberobello in Southern Italy, and this one in Milan before he headed home. In these two travel diaries, Adam shares his experiences in real-time of the iconic A...

Celebrate Shindig’s 60th Birthday (Sept 16, 1964-2024) on “Love’s a Secret Weapon” Podcast❤️ with a replay of Chapter 7 part 3 of Donna's Memoir: "Tales of Shindig!" But wait! There’s more❣️ If this perks your curiosity, Chapter 7, Parts 1-4 reveal my entire Shindig! Experience ❤️Go Donna and Dr Adam🎊🎉 Onstage and backstage, Donna relishes her role on Shindig being surrounded by th...

JUST THE 2 OF US: After 20-years there's still so much more to learn about each other. Relationships are incredibly valuable and Dr Adam and Donna have a strong bond they share in the name of Donna's favorite 4 letter word: LOVE In this rare intimate time together, Donna and Dr Adam share what they’ve been up to over the past couple of months, including the arrival of new family members, b...

In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam Gerace are joined by musician and author Jim Wilson to talk about his new book “Tuned In: Memoirs of a Piano Man”! Jim has had distinct, but complementary careers as both a musician and performer alongside his work as an expert piano tuner-technician to music royalty, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, and Carole King. In conversation with Donn...

In this special episode, Donna and Dr. Adam are joined by musician Maurice Gainen! Maurice, who is a woodwind musician, producer, composer, and engineer, first worked with Donna to rejuvenate her signature song “It Only Hurts When I Cry” in 2009. He then engineered Donna’s first album in decades, “Love It Away” in 2010, and he provides the distinctive saxophone sounds on her modern holiday classic...

“Truth is a mysterious entity. I love it and cherish it. Anytime I can speak the truth about my feelings, a little more of Me comes into focus. All the tears I’ve swallowed flow more freely now and I await the day that I can sing for you again”. In this final chapter of Donna’s memoir… It’s August 14, 2008, a pivotal day that led to Donna deciding to make music again. Donna takes us back to her de...

In a special episode, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by author, journalist, and podcaster Natalie Zett! Natalie has written Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told , a work of historical fiction that draws on her own family’s tragedy. At the center of the story is the death of Natalie’s real-life great aunt, Martha Pfeiffer, who lost her life in 1915 on the SS Eastland ship disaster in Chica...

In this special episode, Donna and Dr. Adam are joined by musician Willie Aron! Willie, who is a Grammy nominee, worked with Donna to bring to life her first concert in over 50 years at Tiki Oasis in 2016. Donna and Willie share memories of that event and, in conversation with Donna and Dr Adam, Willie discusses his wide-ranging and diverse career as a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, multi...

In this new chapter… Donna reflects on the relationships she had with her adopted father and her mother at the height of her ‘60s career and in their later years. Then, Donna and Dr Adam speak about the importance of understanding the good and not so good of one’s upbringing, so that we may move forward with compassion for ourselves and others. Plus, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by fan guest Kelly...

Welcome to a new chapter of Donna’s memoir! We open with a duet sung by Donna and Bobby Sherman on Shindig, “Casting My Spell on You”. In this episode…Donna takes us back to the early 2000s as her fashion business, ADASA Hawaii, enters a new phase with celebrity clientele and the hottest lines including Juicy Couture, James Perse, Isabella Fiore and Lacoste. At a time of personal change and profes...

In this special episode before Donna commences reading a new chapter from her memoir… Donna and Dr Adam are joined by very special fan guest, David Linck. David has had a decades-long career in the news and entertainment industry, including at the Los Angeles Times, Box Office Magazine, and CNN. For over 30 years, he was a unit publicist for the major film studios, working on 70+ feature films. In...

As this chapter closes… In the shadow of 9/11, Donna is offered the opportunity to open a new boutique in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Plus, Donna and Dr Adam welcome their next fan guest, Leticia Lopez! Leticia is a journalist, author, and historian who has previously interviewed Donna – and now the tables turn as Leticia tells Donna and Dr Adam about her work researching and writing about both ‘...

In this episode... After her stepdad’s death, Donna asks her mother to join her in Hawaii. Checking into the Mauna Lani Hotel for one night, Donna’s mother finally shares the truth about a trip she made to Boston when she was twenty years old, where she met the man who was Donna’s biological father. In conversation, Donna and Dr Adam talk about recognizing the patterns in our relationships with ot...

As Donna continues reading from her memoir… An opportunity to do a fashion show in Florida leads Donna to create a full collection. But when it’s rained away, a bigger opportunity awaits – a trip to Monte Carlo! Donna, Jered, and many trunks of handmade garments, custom shoes, jewelry, and hats make their way to a fashion show on the Mediterranean! When they return, Donna begins a new venture and...

It’s Dr Adam’s birthday, and what a gift he’s been to our Love’s A Secret Weapon Podcast ! Turning 40 can be overwhelming, and so on his birthday, Dr Adam shares a reflection with you of how his values have evolved. Incredibly vulnerable and sensitive, here is our doctor of psychology reflecting on how imperfect life is! Donna and Dr Adam utilise his reflection to discuss the importance of living...

In this episode…Donna, Dr Adam, & Jered Cargman in conversation! In honor of Donna’s husband’s birthday, we are replaying our conversation from 2022 where Jered joined Donna and Dr Adam! Donna and Jered share memories of their first meeting in 1965 for Donna’s high school Prom, as well as their reconnecting and courtship many years later. Jered also shares his memories of being in the band The...

In this episode as Donna continues reading from her Memoir… she begins to work with a team to bring her new clothing designs to life in Hawaii . Utilizing old-world techniques to paint and sew the garments proves cathartic for Donna and the women she works with in her new atelier in Waimea. Plus, Donna and Dr Adam welcome their next fan guests: Jim and Susan Dixon! Jim and Susan share their courts...

In this very special episode, Donna reunites with her longtime friend – actor, singer, and advocate Paul Petersen! Paul joins Donna and Dr Adam to reminisce about his role on The Donna Reed Show, talk with Donna about their decades-long friendship and to tell listeners about the important work of his organization, "A Minor Consideration", founded to protect the welfare of young performers. You wil...

“We’re linking together in the frequency of Love”.  Happy Valentine’s Day Love’s A Secret Weapon Community! In this special episode, Donna and Dr Adam speak with Donna’s longtime friend, Swedish actress and artist Margareta Sjödin. Margareta revisits her TV and film career, including her role as the ditsy blonde in the comedy series Partaj , which was based on the American series Rowan &...