On Mic Podcast

On today’s episode meet Michael Soenen, creator and lead- producer of a raw, incredibly impactful documentary entitled, “Nothing to See Here: What Happens When Bloods, Crips, Police and Victims of Violence Make a Film.”  It is a fascinating discussion about how this unique project, against many odds,  got launched and took shape and how the film is making a difference in Watts, one of the most dan...

You’ve got front row seats to life lessons from a musical icon. In  Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership, my guest veteran strategist, marketer, and management consultant, Andy Freed, delivers a compelling and actionable message about leadership and communication for everyone expected to inspire others to perform at their best. Freed ditches the sterile,...

Matt Robinson has written a charming children’s book about the love of music and fulfilling one’s dreams.  “Pete’s Beat,” is about a young boy with big dreams of becoming an outstanding drummer.  He’s teased and punished for tapping on anything he can find,  at times driving others a bit crazy, all while searching  for his own sound.  Life for Pete changes when the leader of a local drum circle no...

Mayflower II – the replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620 and launched a nation – is seen by some 2.6 million visitors every year in Plymouth.  The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  But there is a lot more to the replica of the Mayflower launched in the middle 1950’s than meets the eye.  Researcher Richard A. Stone has written the definitive,  f...

In today’s conversation we meet Alan “Jake” Jacobson, founder of the Flo Creed-Jacobson Initiative, with the mission to help children and adults develop confidence, optimism, resilience and self-awareness through mindfulness.  The organization was named in honor of Alan’s late wife Flo who served her community as a decorated Boston police officer, mentoring countless people as a “Big Sister,” and...

Meet the irrepressible Linda Chorney, author of “It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings: Dedicated to Independent Musicians – The Unsigned, Unsung Heroes.”  Linda recently released the audiobook version, a vibrant, dramatic and often hilarious  account of how this independent artist and rebel upset the status quo music world after receiving not one but two Grammy nominations!  Along with her unforgett...

I welcome back a talented friend  Kerry Brett, author of Shot@Love: A Celebrity Photographer’s Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love.   Kerry is one of the  top photographers in her field and host of the highly rated award-winning podcast “Shot At Love.”   We talk about the trials and tribulations of on-line dating, what Kerry has observed and learned through her personal experience and advic...

Meet history professor James Hankins, author of the first of two volumes entitled, “The Golden Thread: The Ancient World and Christendom” which explores world history from antiquity to 1500.  It is a massive project ( the book is over 1200 pages) and in our discussion we focus on the need to educate our population more effectively, to learn from those who set the stage of civilization politically,...

I welcome a returning guest Barrie A. Atkin, the lady that puts the fun back into football with her book, “Hate Football?  Fun Facts to Help You be Part of the Crowd.”  A diehard New England Patriots fan, Barrie provides tips and useful info to help you enjoy watching America’s most popular sport.  And you will certainly sound as though you know a lot more about football than anyone else in your h...

Dr. Nicholas Wright, MRCP, PhD is a neuroscientist who researches the brain, technology and security at University College London. Georgetown University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, where he also advises the Pentagon Joint Staff.  His latest book is entitled “Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain.”  In the book Dr. Wright takes us o...

Meet celebrated NY Times columnist and author David Margolick whose latest project is a thorough and exceptional biography of one of the living legends of comedy.  David Margolick is the author of, “When Caesar Was King: How Sid Caesar Reinvented American Comedy.”  By the mid 1950’s Sid Caesar and “Your Show of Shows” captivated millions of American TV watchers.  As he rose to super- stardom,  Sid...

What do shoes have to do with leadership? Quite a bit, according to Karen Hanks, author of the entertaining and informative new book “In Her Shoes: Walking the Leadership Walk.” From walking with confidence to stepping into the shoes of others, Karen uses shoes as a clever metaphor for the qualities of leadership we can all better develop. Karen Hanks is someone who ‘walks the walk’ when it comes...

On recent podcasts, I have talked about the fact that I have Parkinson’s Disease. Close to 90,000 Americans are diagnosed very year with this neurological condition with no cure that affects everyone differently. It is referred to therefore as the “snowflake” disease.   Right now I am doing well focusing on key elements such as exercise, diet, rest and medication to keep symptoms at bay.  Is it to...

Today’s conversation centers on a vital aspect  of our human experience. The enhancing richness and benefits of empathy. Meet Helen Riess, M.D., Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Empathetics.com. Dr. Riess is a clinical professor and research psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School who developed empathy education based on neuroscience research. Her groundbreaking  book, which is now in paperback...

Meet the man who helped revolutionize the coffee industry.  For decades George Howell has been fine tuning the art of brewing a better cup of coffee. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 1996, for having raised specialty coffee quality standards to a new level through his Massachusetts based company The Coffee Connection (1974 – 1994). He...

Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including her latest  The Stolen Queen, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her research into history and ability as a master storyteller captivates readers from around the world.   Fiona is also...

Meet the creator of a fabulous new coffee-table book, “Rock to Baroque – Four Decades of Music Photography.”  The artist is celebrated photographer Eric Antoniou whose work transcends mere imagery.  For decades he has captured the essence of musicians in performance and beyond,  from rock to jazz, blues to classical.  David Bowie,  The Rolling Stones,  Roy Orbison, Etta James, Leonard Bernstein, K...

Sarah Wragge is the founder of Sarah Wragge Wellness. As you’ll hear she is energetic, healthy and happy. But she wasn’t always that way. Her personal struggle to feel well brought her to a very important place, one in which she offers practical help to those looking to feel their best. Sarah and her team are committed to producing real results with philosophies that are simple and easy to underst...

Peter Cahill functioned as his wife’s devoted partner for forty-five years, and as her caregiver for thirty of those years. Andrea Cahill was a fighter, battling a rare disease known as neurofibromatosis. The couple formed a foundation to help search for a cure and treatments while Andrea was alive. After she passed, Peter set out to write a memoir entitled “Silent Determination: One Woman’s Battl...

As paranormal investigator Michael J. Baker says, “Some questions lead you further in.  Others show you the way out.” Mike is the author of “Giving Up the Ghost: My 13-Year Journey with Ghosts, Gear and Getting Out.”  The book takes a rational,  scientific look at the many claims made by TV ghost hunters and the untested nature of much of their ghost sensing  gear.  It has turned into a cottage in...

Today’s episode features a conversation with writer and  Israel Defense Forces veteran Yishay Ishi Ron.  He has written an impactful novel called, “Dog.”  The story is of a combat officer and a lost dog who find each other in the shadows of trauma and addiction. “Dog” is a haunting, unflinching exploration of PTSD, told through the lens of an Israeli officer returning from Gaza.   The story is par...

Today, we welcome actress and fellow voice-over artist Erika Mays to the podcast.   She is sharing what she has learned about the industry in a great new practical guide entitled, “From Broke to Booked: How to Launch a Voice Acting Career that Pays.”   Erika explains how her career in voice over began and shares practical tips on ways to move forward.   Tune in to hear two professionals discuss th...

In a audience attended fireside chat, we had a the chance to interview celebrated crime novelist Chuck Hogan.  He is talking about his latest book and first work of non-fiction “The Carpool Detective: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case.”  For those interested in true crime stories, and that is just about everyone these days, this one will captivate you!

We “geek” things up and your affable host has a ball interviewing JR, owner of JR’s Spooky Shack and his sidekick Scott Toomey.  Both of these dudes love horror movies —the good, the bad and the gory.   From props to plots, monsters to maniacs, fiends to fan favorites, if you’re into movie monsters and jump scares you’ve come to the right place!

Meet a dynamo show business producer, one of the youngest ever to launch hit productions off-Broadway.  Cooper Jordan does it all.  He’s an actor, live entertainment creator, producer and trendsetter.  Believe it of not, we’re here to promote his production of “Saw: The Musical.”  Yep, it’s a musical parody based on the iconic suspense – horror  movie franchise “Saw!”  Listen to just how off the w...