EP. 56 DR. ARLENE DRAKE, PhD, MFT

Psychotherapist | Author

Margie is excited to welcome her friend, Arlene Drake on the podcast. A psychotherapist for over 40 years specializing in trauma recover, Dr. Arlene Drake is a pioneer in the field of adult survivors of childhood abuse. She is the author of Carefrontation - Breaking Free From Childhood Trauma. And…she happens to be a former actress, best known for her work on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Margie and Arlene have a spirited conversation about Arlene's book and the steps to repair the damage of your childhood and take care of your inner child. Arlene speaks directly to the little kid inside each of us on this journey to healing.

EP. 55 CHRIS SCHELLENGER

EP. 54 SALLY STEWART

Actor

“Ever since I’ve worked with you, I’ve either gotten a callback or booked."
Sally, on working with Margie

Sally has been a professional actor for over 20 years. She has guest-starred on such series as Bull, FBI Most Wanted, Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, The Sopranos and New York Undercover. With roles from a judge to a lawyer to a victim, she has lived them all. Sally shares what it is like to be cast as a co-star supporting the story rather than being the star. She has also acted in theater and had the privilege of working opposite the legendary Ruby Dee. Sally played Rose in August Wilson’s, Fence, directed by Broadway director, Marion McClinton. Margie and Sally discuss the challenges of playing such a complicated character.

Sally has created, written and produced a series called Pop Pairing. Sally starts off with her Southern, American, Jamaican, New York City roots and her journey as an actress. She shares her challenges as well as her fears. Margie remarks on her amazing growth since starting her class a year ago. Sally shares how it has changed her approach to acting by simplifying and being more specific with auditioning. The podcast concludes with Sally’s advice for actors.

EP. 53 Alexandra Paul

Actress | Activist | Co-host of Switch4Good Podcast

There are so many layers to Alexandra Paul and Margie hits all of them on this podcast. Firstly, her acting career. What was it like to star on the iconic TV series, “Baywatch” for five years, as well as her 100 movies and other TV shows? [Margie's wife is obsessed with Alexandra's Lifetime movies!] They discuss Alexandra’s dedication as an athlete and how that helped her find the discipline she needed to be a working actress. Next, they explore Alexandra’s journey into becoming a vegan, which also led to her role as an activist and being arrested countless times to protect animals and human rights. In her last effort, she was acquitted for rescuing a chicken from a slaughter truck. And lastly, they riff on how all this has led her to co-host her amazing podcast, Switch4Good, which encourages listeners to “Ditch Dairy. Feel Awesome. Save the World.” Don’t miss Margie's conversation with Alexandra Paul, which is filled with love and respect for each other.

EP. 52 Kim Krejus

Artistic Director, 16th St Actors Studio

Melbourne, Australia

Kim is the founder and artistic director of 16th St Actors Studio in Melbourne Australia. It is a prestigious creative space for actors to train in all levels of their creative development and has a not-for-profit foundation that is opening up opportunities for emerging writers and directors. Kim started out as a film actor receiving an Australian Film Institute best actress nomination for the film, "Mouth to Mouth." She was so young! Just 19.

Kim shares her challenges growing up as a Catholic with an abusive alcoholic stepfather and how this shaped her life to become a kind person who cares about people. Margie and Kim discuss alcoholism and Alanon and how Margie's book, "F*ck Your Comfort Zone" can help those who get caught in the triangle of rescuer, victim and persecutor. Kim got out of her comfort zone with Buddhism, which helped her deal with the tragedy of losing her sister to cancer when she was in her 50's. Margie and Kim have so much in common as they share what it is like to own an acting studio and their passion for teaching. In the end, they give actors some insight on how they create characters.

EP 51. FABRIZIO TRAVERSA, ITALIAN ACTOR

In this podcast, Margie talks to her student and friend, Fabrizio, from Italy, about the challenges of being so handsome that people often don’t see past your looks. In Hollywood, beauty is so important. Margie and Fabrizio discuss how this phenomenon has affected his life and how therapy has helped him see who he is underneath the exterior, appreciate it and grow from the inside. Fabrizio talks about his critical parent, a term from Margie's book, F*ck your Comfort Zone, “Am I smart enough, vulnerable enough?” They discuss Hollywood’s handsome leading men such as Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and what they brought to their characters from their core, even in comedy. Margie and Fabrizio talk about his career, the International Studies Program, Fabrizio's growth as an actor and what he is taking with him as he returns to Rome after visiting for 3 weeks.

EP. 50 MARK MEASURES

Talent Agent, President of KMR Talent

Mark is president of Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates and has represented such stars as Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Chris Pratt, Jane Lynch, Terrance Howard and Margie's wonderful student, Melanie Nicholls-King. Mark shares some intimate childhood memories of losing his parents at a young age and dropping out of high school. He began his career as a commercial agent in 1988. (Ironically working for the same agencies that Margie worked with at the start of her commercial career - TGI and Harry Abrams.) Both Mark and Margie also worked with Brad Pitt and Halle Berry. And they discovered another thing in common - their favorite musical, “Ragtime!” (which is Margie's son, Michael's favorite as well!) Mark discusses what makes an actor successful in commercials, theater and film/tv. He goes over his checklist for success, what makes a good self-tape, cover letter, head shots and gives his viewpoint on managers vs agents. They also discuss the question of authenticity in casting – for instance, whether one should hire a gay actor for a gay role, and the company’s championing of actors with disabilities. Margie and Mark end the conversation with questions from her students and a wise suggestion from Mark - "Do one thing for your career each day and you will have done 365 of them at the end of the year!”

www.kmrtalent.com

EP. 49 Jackson Kelly

Actor

For a young guy, Jackson has been very busy as a series regular in “Lucky Hank” with well-known actor Bob Odenkirk from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” and his new series for Disney, “Witch Mountain” starring Bryce Dallas Howard, as well as the Oscar-nominated short, “My Year of Dicks,” streaming on Hulu and many other productions soon to be released. Margie and Jackson talk about what it was like working with Bob Odenkirk and how he got the part, as well as his first feature film and WItch Mountain.

Margie and Kelly recall the first time they met when he was just 18 starring in the movie, “Hard Miles” with her student, Richard Gunn. Ironically, the film was about an anorexic boy, while Kelly was keeping his own secret that he, too, was suffering from the same disease.

Most rewarding is that Jackson decided to use this podcast as a way to “out“ himself and share his eating disorder. Margie remembers the time that she kindly asked if he had an eating disorder and Jackson bravely outed himself about his challenges and setbacks over the past four years.

If anyone has an eating disorder or knows someone suffering from it, please share this podcast with them. It is inspiring, as Kelly truly "F*cked his comfort zone!"