Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Did you know there are 15 million single moms living and working in the U.S? Dr. Marika Lindholm is certainly familiar with that statistic. She raised 2 children on her own after going through a divorce. Marika, who has a doctorate in sociology and taught at Northwestern for more than 15 years, realized that single mothers from all different backgrounds lacked much needed resources, support and connections. And so...ESME.com was born - Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere, an on-line community that operates 24/7. Marika's also behind "We Got This: Solo Mom's Stories of Grit Heart and Humor." A recently published collection of 75 essays and stories from women, who come together to break the stigma around single moms. Needless to say - lots to talk about in our latest conversation.

There are yoga instructors - and then there's Halle Becker, founder of New York City's Home Girl Yoga.  Halle, who "teaches from the parts of her life that have need healing and spiritual examination," shares her very personal story of overcoming addiction, starting her own production company and adopting a daughter from Russia.  This is one honest, raw and 'out there conversation!'

For Darsie Alexander, it's all about art. Since 2018, she has been Chief Curator at the Jewish Museum located on New York City's famed Museum Mile. Founded in 1904, it's the first institution of its kind in the US and one of the oldest Jewish Museums in the world. Darsie's resume is an impressive one: Executive Director of the Katonah Museum of Art, Chief Curator of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Senior Curator at the Baltimore Museum of Art and Photography Curator at Manhattan's Museum of Modern Art. Join us for a fascinating, illuminating conversation about the power of art to teach, provoke, bring joy and purpose to our lives.

Clearly, mounting a Broadway show is a herculean task that requires the talents and expertise of a whole cast of characters, far beyond the actors you see on stage. One of those players is the Company Manager. Who? In case you didn't know, the job of a Company Manager is one of the toughest in the theater. You're about to find out why. Tracy Geltman began her career at Maine State Music Theater as an apprentice before coming to New York, where she worked on "Hairspray," "War Paint," "Fun Home" and "The Band's Visit," to name just a few Broadway hits. Listen in as she talks about her love of theater and what it's like to be the Company Manager.

According to the National Restaurant Association, only 19% of chefs in the U.S. are women. You're about to meet one of them. Susan Spicer has been dubbed a one-woman industry in New Orleans. She is the chef/owner of 3 Big Easy restaurants: Mondo, Rosedale and the French Quarter's culinary landmark, Bayona. Inducted into the James Beard Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America and a member of the Culinary Hall of Fame, Susan shares her passion and drive to prepare creative classic dishes, while expanding on local culinary traditions.