The Power of Different with Dr. Gail Saltz

My guest this week is Ilana Levine, a veteran of the Broadway stage, film and television. Ilana talks about her childhood, the choice to become an actor, raising a family in New York City, and anxiety. Her podcast "Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine," features candid conversations with today's biggest celebrities. 

When is a habit a concern? This week on "Is This Normal," I field a question from a woman who worries about her excessive nail biting. 

My guest today is Sherry Lansing, who is the subject of the new book "Leading Lady: Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker," written by Stephen Galloway. Sherry Lansing is a groundbreaker in her field, becoming the first female to ever helm a Hollywood Studio. In this in-depth conversation, we learn how the death of her father at a young age shaped Sherry's life. She also discusses the rewarding experience of going to therapy had on her life. 

I'm excited to change things up a little for today's edition of Is This Normal? Instead of answering a specific question, I decided to ask my guest Chris Pan for some advice on how we can best manage those times in our lives when things aren't going our way, and when we are just feeling down. Chris Pan is a serial entrepreneur who has suffered from depression. He is the founder and steward of MyIntent.org.

This week I have the pleasure of speaking with Chris Pan. Throughout his like, Chris suffered from depression. Despite that, he is a Harvard business school grad who worked for Facebook in its early days and is responsible for building its audience. He also had career stops at McKinsey and Pepsi. But when another bout of depression kicked in, he wanted to do something more (and meaningful) with his life, so he started MyIntent: What's your word to foster more meaningful conversation through the power of intention. Everyone from Kanye and Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Ellen, and every other celebrity is wearing his bracelet and setting their intentions.

This week, Is This Normal takes a question from a mother and father whose teenage son has decided to become an actor. His decision has his parent's asking how do they deal with his decision and, is this normal? Joining me to tackle this subject is CNN and talk-radio host Michael Smerconish.

I am honored and excited to welcome the host of his own CNN show and radio show host and columnist Michael Smerconish here with me today. I am really delighted to have Michael because I have joined him multiple times on his CNN show where he's asking me questions about something psychological happening in the news but today, I get to ask him questions about path. We discuss his mission, his past as a Republican supporter, becoming independent, and an icy drive from Philadelphia to New York City which catapulted him to his CNN program. 

This week we received an email from a woman who is concerned that her 12-year-old son has no friends to play with after school and on the weekends. Here to help me answer this mother's question is Ron Fournier, author of "Love That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me About a Parent's Expectations." Ron's own son is on the autism spectrum.

My guest today is Ron Fournier, who has written a book that is now out in paperback called "Loved That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me About Parent's Expectations. He is a well-known writer, presidential journalist, and this book is a bit of a departure directly related to accepting his son's autism diagnosis.  Ron Fournier is Publisher and editor of Crain's Detroit Business, formerly the Senior Political Columnist for National Journal. He began his family and career in Arkansas, covering then Governor Bill Clinton before moving to Washington in 1993, where he covered politics and the presidency during the administrations of Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Fournier is a four-time winner of the prestigious White House Correspondents' Association Merriman Smith Memorial Award.

On this edition of "Is This Normal," we field a question from a happily married man who says, despite his unwavering love for his wife, he occasionally wants to sleep in a different bed. To help me answer this question today is Jo Piazza, the author of "How To Be Married." Our answers may surprise you!

My guest today is Jo Piazza, author of the new book "How To Be Married." She's an award-winning journalist who has written non-fiction, fiction, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Magazine. "How To Be Married" took Jo years to write, and is extremely relevant to today. You can learn more about her at http://www.jopiazza.com/

Author David Leite is back with me for this edition of "Is This Normal?," to help me field an email from a mother who is concerned about her child's over anxious behaviors. Leite himself was diagnosed bipolar and suffered from severe anxiety as a child.  Leite is the founder of the James Beard award-winning website Leite's Culinaria, and he's the author of the cookbook "The New Portuguese Table." His new book, "Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic Depression."

My guest today is David Leite, the founder of the James Beard award-winning website Leite's Culinaria, and he's the author of the cookbook "The New Portuguese Table." He often contributes to NPR's "The Splendid Table." His new book, "Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic Depression," due out April 11th. On this inspirational conversation, David shares his struggles with fear, a self-diagnosing himself with bipolar disorder, and his ability to thrive in the face of such setbacks.

On this edition of "Is This Normal?," we field a question from a mother who just received some devastating news, her 8-year-old son was just diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her fear is that she is not strong enough to mount this lifelong fight. Fortunately, singer David Osmond is here to help me field this question. David is the nephew of Donnie and Marie Osmond, and both David and his father Alan have MS. 

This week we are visited by entertainment royalty, as David Osmond of the legendary Osmond family, joins me in study. David has toured the world as a singer, having performed for years along side his father Alan, and famous aunt and uncle, Donnie and Marie Osmond -- he even performed on Broadway. David Osmond is currently the host of the syndicated TV show "Wonderama," a revival of the ground-breaking children's variety program which aired from 1955 to 1983. But what you might not know about David is that both he and his father have multiple sclerosis (MS). In this inspirational conversation, David opens up about being one of eight brothers, growing up in show business, his struggles with MS, and the importance of gratitude. 

Today we field a call from Stuart, who says after 10 years of marriage, he's become extremely bored in the bedroom. Here to help us field this question is comedian Chuck Nice. 

My guest today is Chuck Nice. He is a well-known comedian, a radio personality, he has a really fun podcast called "Nice Advice" -- which I've done with him. And you may know him from "StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson." When this episode was recorded, we were also doing Facebook Live, so as a treat, we have live questions for Chuck and myself answered in the show.

I am beyond excited to announce my latest book "The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius," arrives this week. I've been working on it for several years now, and in-fact, this podcast was born out of the conversations I was having with many of today's thought leaders. On this episode, I talk about the factors that led me to write this book, highlight some of the people featured, and share what I hope my readers learn from "The Power of Different."

This week we get a call from Jean, who says her desire to eat healthy and exercise comes on goes like the tide. Some days she's stern and on a healthy path, only finding herself willing to abandon the healthy lifestyle a weeks later. Fortunately, CrossFit star and trainer Stacey Griffith is with us to help answer Jean's question. Stacy is the author of "Two Turns from Zero: Pushing to Higher Fitness Goals--Converting Them to Life Strength."

Just over 10 years ago, my guest Stacey Griffith was doing drugs and living a small life. Today, she is a senior master instructor at SoulCycle and has authored the book "Two Turns from Zero: Pushing to Higher Fitness Goals--Converting Them to Life Strength." This is one powerful story of overcoming ones demons to become an inspirational success. Today, it's nearly impossible to get a free bike at one of Stacey's SoulCycle classes.