In Our Times

March 21, 2017

March 14, 2017

"Disinherit the Wind" - Does the Brain Generate Consciousness? " Playwright and actor Matt Chait discusses his play "Disinherit the Wind", now playing at The Complex Theatre in Hollywood through April 9. Disinherit the Wind is a powerful courtroom drama that challenges and excites audiences to re-examine their own long-held beliefs - and those of others. In the play, a famous biology professor sues a university for the right to teach theories of evolution that challenge the Darwinian status quo. For playwright Matt Chait's writings, go to beyondevolutionistheregodafterdawkins.blogspot.com. Also joining us in studio is actor Circus-Szalewski (atthecircus.com), who plays the freethinking professor's chief antagonist. For tickets, call (323) 960-4420 or go to plays411.com/disinherit.

February 14, 2017

January 17, 2017

Special guest Harry (aka Harry the Human), writer and pundit, joins us in studio to bring in the new year with a discussion on politics and fiction, Trump, the pro-chaos electorate, and more. Check out Harry's newest piece on the Roman Empire, the U.S. Constitution, and why both may be obsolete at harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com.

"Okay, you're PEOTUS, BUT you still have to apologize to my mother" Cheryl is joined in studio by favorite co-host: writer, activist, teacher, and commentator Eric Dawes Smith! After swapping tales of post-election woe, they launch into a lively discussion on such topics as: WHY aren't more folks screaming misogyny? Can't we retire that rusty/creaky Electoral College? Plus, Eric shares his inauguration day plans, which involve a plane trip to D.C., a large banner, and a fierce commitment to honoring women in the Era of Trump.

Dystopia: Bring it On! Journalist Doug Lasken (laskenlog.blogspot.com/) joins us for a full-throttle dissection of Trump's media maneuvers and Cabinet appointees! Let the madness ensue! Plus; an update of our favorite prophet/lizard Robert via telepathic Harry the Human (harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com).

Cheryl is joined in studio for an Election Night special with pundit/writer Harry (aka Harry the Human) who brings his Gila monster Robert to the studio for some deep contemplation about the human race. For more on Harry's writing go to harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com

"Not a Perfect Mom....But She Plays One on T.V" Heather Brooker, whose podcast "Motherhood in Hollywood" features lively, fascinating interviews with women working behind and in front of the camera, is our guest. In this show, she talks about the thrills and challenges of working in Hollywood while raising her daughter, and how her guests have inspired her. To catch her show, go to motherhoodinhollywood.com.

"Search for Signs of Intelligent Life...Revisited" Jane Wagner's acclaimed play "Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" orbited into popular culture thirty years ago starring Lily Tomlin as 12 different people. Now, under the masterful direction of Ken Sawyer, the show has been reimagined as a fully-staged 12-person ensemble at the Los Angeles LGBT Center through November 20, with original music by Anna Waronker (That Dog) and Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Gos). Led by the radiant Trudy, this show serves up a rousing tribute to the beauty and pain of human interconnection. In this episode of the podcast, we are joined in studio by Producer Jon Imparato as well as actors Kristina Johnson ("Lyn") and Rachel Sorsa ("Brandi"). For tickets to the show go to eventbrite.com/e/the-search-for-signs-of-intelligent-life-in-the-universe-revisited-tickets-27219423027

"Breaking Taboos to a Jazzy Beat: A Taste of Honey" Actors Sarah Underwood Saviano (sarahunderwoodsaviano.com/) and Kestrel Leah (kestrelleah.com/) discuss their roles as mother and daughter in the raw, crackling play A Taste of Honey at The Odyssey Theatre through November 27. Shelagh Delaney's play delves into working-class life in England in the 1960s. For tickets go to m.ovationtix.com/pr/961090.

"Beware the Suburban Beast....in You" Actors Albert Dayan and Jacqueline Wright, starring as married combatants in Mary Laws' zany, dark comedy "Blueberry Toast" at the Echo Theatre Company in Los Angeles through October 24, discuss the dark underbelly of suburban life and the danger of suppressing our primal desires. For tickets to the show go to echotheatercompany.com.

"Real to Reel Dazzles and Anita Bryant's a Drag" Syd Stewart, Founder of Better Youth, Inc., and Johna Rivers, writer and poet, stop by the studio to discuss their mission to empower young women and their Real to Reel Film Festival hosted by High School Musical's Monique Coleman coming up Oct. 8 in Hollywood. Then, actor/playwright/activist John Copeland chats up his latest show "Anita Bryant's Playboy Interview", about a VERY wild and shocking time in the 1970s, the cultural dynamics of drag, and more. To get tickets to the Real to Reel Film Festival, go to everfest.com/e/better-youth-real-to-reel-film-festival-los-angeles-ca, To check out Syd Stewart's work, go to arts.gov/50th/stories/syd-stewart, Check out Johna at youtube.com/watch?v=XLknw9At_GE and gofundme.com/ckk6j8. THEN, playwright/actor John Copeland (about.me/johncopelandactor) talks about his phenomenal show "Anita Bryant's Playboy Interview" at the Cavern Club Celebrity Theater. For tickets go to cavernclubtheater.com/ANITA.html.

"The Beauty, The Banshee, and Me" Cathy Lind Hayes, an actress and writer whose award-winning one-woman show "The Beauty, the Banshee, and Me" , is a hilarious and touching journey of her search for her birth parents, joins us in studio. The daughter of television and radio entertainers Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy, Cathy grew up in a show business family and always knew she was adopted. Her deep curiosity to learn her roots led her on a wild journey that she discusses here, sharing stories and insights throughout the hour. "The Beauty, the Banshee, and Me" is playing through October 23 at The Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets go to plays411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=4507.

"The Center Cannot Hold, But At Least We Have the Gila Monster and Peace in the Desert" Novelist, former 1960s radical, and reputed telepath Harry (aka "Harry the Human") joins us in studio for a fascinating talk, letting loose on Russia, the war in Syria, ISIS, his own peaceful desert home, and his newfound passion for Gila monsters, whom he dubs "the aristocrats of the desert." To read Harry's novel "A Peek at Infinity", go to harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com/2016/09/the-centre-cannot-hold.htm You can also write to Harry at harrythehuman123@gmail.com.

"At Least Ayn Rand Wrote Mighty Decent Sex Scenes" Political pundit and Daily News contributor Doug Lasken (laskenlog.blogspot.com) visits the show to discuss the heated election season, his telepathic pal Harry's search for God, and more! He and Cheryl even reflect on Ayn Rand, the shifting emotional temperature around us, and the Great Reagan Hangover. To read Harry's FREE political thriller, go to harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com).

"Actors Richard Fancy ("Seinfeld"), Allan Miller, & Marilyn Fox" Actors Richard Fancy (Mr. Lippman on "Seinfeldj"), Allan Miller (allanmiller.org), who has coached Barbra Streisand and Meryl Streep, among others), and Marilyn Fox join Cheryl in studio for an exciting discussion about their play "Awake and Sing", back by popular demand and playing at The Odyssey Theatre through October 2. Clifford Odets' story of three generations of a Jewish family living in a small Bronx apartment in 1934 and directed with fierce knowingness by Elina de Santos awakens such questions as: what are our own deepest longings? How do we bear and thrive in a world of crushing economic pain? How can immigrants make sense of their own journey then and now? For tickets to this amazing play, go to web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/948416.

"Family Dysfunction 1980's Style: 'Please Don't Ask About Becket'" Does nature or nurture play a greater role in shaping who we are? "Please Don't Ask About Becket", a fascinating play about a VERY different twin brother and sister growing up in 1980's L.A. with a Hollywood mogul dad and helicopter mom, tackles this question with suspense and beauty. Playwright Wendy Graf (newplayexchange.org/users/1873/wendy-graf), Executive Producer Lisa Brenner (lisabrenner.com) and actor Rob Nagle (robnagle.com/) join Cheryl in the studio to discuss this moving story and its themes of love, identity, boundaries, and more. "Please Don't Ask About Becket" is playing through September 17 at Sacred Fools Theatre Company. For tickets go to plays411.net/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=4522.

Harry the Human: the Trump factor, those lost Baby Boomers, and the folly of Reagan worshippers" Novelist and political pundit Harry the Human makes another radio appearance, digging in to meaty topics such as the folly of Trump followers, the dazed and confused Baby Boomers, and finding calm amid this stormy political season. To read Harry's sci-if thriller FOR FREE, go to harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com/2016/08/chapter-18-our-beginning-is-our-end.html. To read Harry's piece on Bin Laden, go to harrythehuman.harrythehumanpoliticalthoughtsfrombeyondthepale.com/2016/08/we-need-good-story.html.