Celebrities
This page contains shows with celebrity guests. The influence of celebrities goes beyond their entertainment role. In many cases, their public appeal, and the fact that so many people look up to celebrities in general, can enable them to be very helpful and inspiring. The celebrities who have been interviewed on “Coping Conversations” all have stories to tell… stories of personal experiences that can entertain as well as motivate, inspire as well as educate, making the listening experience enjoyable as well as beneficial.
My guest is former child star Paul Petersen who played Jeff Stone on the old Donna Reed Show. Today, Paul is best known for his advocacy work. He founded the well-respected non profit organization A Minor Consideration that advocates, and provides services, for child stars and former child stars in trouble. We discuss his personal and professional interest in working with child stars as well as the valuable work of A Minor Consideration.
My guest, Mike Farrell, is perhaps best known as Captain BJ Hunnicutt on the hit TV series M*A*S*H. Not only is he well respected as an actor, he is also well respected as a humanitarian. He is dedicated to worthwhile causes such as human rights, the environment, and numerous other issues. We discuss his career (and coping with it), how he felt when he was signed to join M*A*S*H, his activism, among other interesting topics.
One of the most popular television performers of all time, Ed Asner has won more Emmy awards than any performer, and is the only performer ever to win an Emmy for the same role (Lou Grant) on a comedy (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) and a drama (“Lou Grant”). We discuss many things, including his love of performing, how he has dealt with peer criticism and its ramifications as a result of his political views, and how humor helped him to be a better dramatic actor.
Do you remember the song “Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat?” How about “Happy Go Lucky Me?” Both of these songs were hits for guest Paul Evans. We discuss his music career, how he dealt with the ups and downs and changes in his career, and the success he has had writing songs as well as performing.
Former New York Jets star defensive football player Joe Klecko is my guest. We discuss his career, how he coped with injuries, his views on the difference between football past and present, and the importance of teamwork, among other topics. He also offers advice to current New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.
One of the most popular mayors in New York City history, Ed Koch is known for his achievements as well as his controversies. He served three terms as New York City’s mayor, and helped to stabilize New York’s financial problems. We discuss his accomplishments as mayor, as well as how his positive attitude has helped him deal with serious medical issues.
One of the best-selling singers of all time, nicknamed “Little Miss Dynamite”, Brenda Lee has had hits including “I’m Sorry,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, and “I Want to Be Wanted”. We discuss her career, her positive attitude despite adversity, and how her love of performing has lasted through more than five decades.
Do you remember the song “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window”? One of the most popular songs of all time was a hit for my guest, Patti Page. One of the music industry's best-selling singers, also known for her hits Cape Cod, Tennessee Waltz, and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, we discuss a career that has lasted more than five decades, as well as some of the difficulties she has endured during her life.
Grammy-award-winning country singer Charlie Daniels is perhaps best known for his 1979 hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. He has been active as a singer for more than 50 years, and in 2008 was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, a lifelong dream. With dozens of successful albums and singles; his newest CD is “Land That I Love”. We discuss his career, the stroke that he suffered early in 2010, and his surprisingly popular GEICO commercial.
This new show features Gunnar Nelson, half of the popular rock group Nelson (along with his twin brother Matthew), and son of the late singer Ricky Nelson. We discuss his relationship with his father, the influence that his father’s music had on Nelson’s development, and the Guinness record that resulted from Nelson’s hit “(I Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” their new album, “Lightning Strikes Twice”, among many other things.
Andy Williams is considered to be one of the most popular singers of all time, someone whose voice was called a “national treasure” by President Ronald Reagan, and singer of many chart-topping songs including his signature song, “Moon River.” Still performing at his Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri, Andy and I discussed how he dealt with the difficulties he encountered on his road to success, the insecurities that were instilled in him at an early age, and how he successfully dealt with a potentially career-threatening throat problem, in this show taped in February, 2010.
In this new show, Tommy James, lead singer of the rock group Tommy James & The Shondells, discusses his hit songs, his rise to fame, and how he dealt with his tumultuous association with Roulette Records and the dark side of the music industry. We discuss his brand new autobiography, “Me, the Mob, and the Music.”
Jodie Sweetin, perhaps best known for playing Stephanie Tanner on TV's “Full House," has gone through a lot in her young life. We discuss her autobiography, “Unsweetined”, which includes stories about her addictions, failed marriages, and her successful recovery, as well as the current joy in her life.
One of the most popular singers of all time, Connie Francis was the top charting female singer of the 1950’s and 1960’s. She has numerous hits, including “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Where The Boys Are”, “Stupid Cupid”, and “Lipstick On Your Collar”. In this new show, taped in February, 2010, we discuss some of the difficulties Connie has had to deal with throughout her life, and how she has coped with them.
This show's guest is popular actress Jennie Garth who, among other roles, starred in Beverly Hills 90210 and What I Like About You, and appeared on Dancing With The Stars. We discuss how she has coped with her heart disease, her father’s death, and her daughter’s juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Her positive attitude is key, and something to be admired. We discuss all of this, as well as the work she is doing with the American Heart Association.
This new show features Alan Young, best known for playing the role of Wilbur on the classic TV show “Mister Ed”, discusses how he coped with being second fiddle to a talking horse, who was originally supposed to play the role of Wilbur, and other fascinating anecdotes, many of which are contained in his autobiography, “Mister Ed, Me, and More”.
Today’s guest is veteran actor William Schallert, perhaps best known for playing dad Martin Lane on “The Patty Duke Show”. We discuss his lengthy show business career, how he dealt with the mix of performing and family responsibilities, and other issues he coped with during his acting career.
Fans of American Idol remember the second runner-up from the 2006 season, one of the favorites that year, Melinda Doolittle. Not only is Melinda a great singer, she has just released a new book, entitled “Beyond Me”. We discuss Melinda’s experiences on American Idol, and the difficult life experiences that has successfully shaped her into the person she is today.
Scott MacIntyre, one of the finalists from the 2009 season of American Idol, discusses his visual impairment, his kidney transplant, and sound advice for how people should deal with their own adversities. We discuss his new album, “Heartstrings” as well as his memories of being a finalist on American Idol.
This show features popular actress Jill Eikenberry, perhaps best known for playing Ann Kelsey in the long-running television program LA Law. Married for more than 30 years to Michael Tucker, who also starred on LA Law, Jill has also spent years advocating for people with breast cancer, as a result of her own experiences with the disease.
This show features popular actor Michael Tucker, who, despite numerous movie and television credits, is probably best known for playing Stuart Markowitz in the long-running television program LA Law. Married for more than 30 years to Jill Eikenberry, who also starred on LA Law, he is the author of three books, the latest of which is entitled, “Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent.”
In this new show, we welcome popular heavyweight champion (and Olympic gold medal winning) boxer, chef, entrepreneur and author George Foreman. We discuss his boxing career, the most important moments for him in his life, and the lessons he has learned that he wants to share.
This show with veteran Broadway actress (“Company”), movie (“Monster In Law”) and television star (“30 Rock”) Elaine Stritch is both humorous and touching. We discuss Elaine’s alcoholism as well as her diabetes, and learn how her positive attitude has helped her with both… and more.
This show, originally aired in 2005, shows how maturity transformed the popular comedian by enabling him to use comedy both for laughter and for more serious purposes, including the improvement of his own life.
Before there was Nurse Jackie, and at the very beginning of “The Sopranos” Edie Falco was my guest in this archived show from 1999. We talk about her career in acting, the role she played in “The Sopranos”, how she balanced appearing in a number of different productions at the same time, and the importance of having a positive attitude.
In this archived show, originally aired in February of 1995, Gary Coleman, star of “Diff’rent Strokes”, discusses the few fond memories of the program, what he’s done since the termination of the show, and other topics of interest. Although more than ten years old, this show reflects Gary’s true feelings about a number of things and makes for fascinating listening.
In this show, taped in 1995, popular actress Doris Roberts, perhaps best known for her roles in “Remington Steele” and as Marie in “Everybody Loves Raymond” (which aired long after this show was taped), discusses her career as an actress, and how she coped with the death of her husband to leukemia.
In this show, originally aired in 2003, the popular comedian, actor, chef and author talks about his career, and one of his favorite topics… food! We discuss how food can you help you cope, and how he combines cooking with his comedy talents.
This show with one of the original Golden Girls, originally broadcast in 2002, is almost prophetic in its relevance to today’s issues of breast cancer and menopause, as well as today’s knowledge of the effectiveness of psychological treatments in the alleviation of medical problems.
This show, which was recorded in 2003, illustrates the progression of Bob Dole from young politician to mature and caring public servant. We also discuss how Senator Dole has successfully dealt with a number of medical problems and injuries in his life.
This show with the former ER star and well-respected actress, dating from 2003, shows how adversity strengthened Kellie Martin and led her to become a public advocate for autoimmune diseases and their treatment. It also discusses the efforts of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), for whom Kellie is the national spokesperson.
In this new show, popular nightclub comedian Sal Richards discusses his career, as well as his new autobiography, “Behind the Laughter, Hidden Tears.” We talk about the difficulties he’s had dealing with his medical illnesses and the death of his son, among other experiences.
