Advertise on podcast: Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Talk about a mouth-watering conversation! You're about to meet Johanne Killeen, who along with her late husband, opened the highly successful and respected Al Forno Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island in 1980. It's credited with pioneering a number of recipes and is the birthplace of grilled pizza - pies flash grilled at high heat. The author of two popular cookbooks, Johanne has also mentored some of the most influential chefs in the business. She travels extensively working with food and wine producers and importers. So much to talk about with this culinary heavyweight.

A horrific car accident on Italy's Autostrata in 1989 left newly married Deborah Mellen, whose husband was not injured, with a severe spinal cord injury. Not only did she lose the use of her legs, but many other vital life functions were also impacted as well. Two years later Deborah's husband died, and she moved back to the States - Florida, to be exact. That's where a surgeon turned her on to Shake a Leg - an adaptive sailing and water sport center. Hooked, Deborah bought a wheelchair-accessible catamaran and eventually created the Impossible Dream, a non-profit organization that provides similar experiences for other wheel-bound men and women. This is one riveting, fascinating interview you won't want to miss!

Melanie Breault has been the Web and Social Media Specialist for Conversations with Creative Women since 2015. However, her professional life also includes social justice issues - supporting non-profit organizations as they build their profiles to expand their reach and make the world a better place. We cover a lot of ground in this honest and fascinating conversation. We know you'll feel the same after 'meeting and getting to know' this committed, passionate, engaging creative woman.  

Raena Ashley spent a good part of her teenaged years getting in trouble while living in a tough East L.A. neighborhood. But all that changed when make-up entered the picture. When she was 18, Raena learned all about eyelash extensions. Three years later, she started her own beauty education company and in the years since, has generated more than 2 million dollars in sales, with 18 locations in the U.S. Raena has taught more than 2,000 young women 'the tricks of the trade.' Hear all about her path to a rich and rewarding lifestyle and career.

H.H. Leonards purchased the O Street Mansion 50 years ago as an art space, but the impact it had helping Rosa Parks is a story many may not know. Leonards got a call from Brother Willis Edwards of the Beverly Hills branch of the NAACP asking if Ms. Parks could stay in the mansion until she was able to heal emotionally and physically after being attacked in her Detroit home. Leonards, who said she didn't know who Parks was, agreed, and a beautiful 10+ year friendship between the two women was fostered. And to that end, Leonards has written "Rosa Parks, Beyond the Bus: Life Lessons and Leadership."  This is truly one fascinating conversation that will simply blow your mind!

As far as Arriel Biggs is concerned, you're never too young to be exposed to entrepreneurship, financial literacy, philanthropy, and problem-solving skills. And to that end, she is the Founder and Executive Director of Young Biz Kids, a non-profit that teaches those skills and more to the leaders of tomorrow. Arriel has quite the personal story to share.  Her 15-year-old son Mikey is an entrepreneur - his business sense kicked in when he acquired his first vending machine at the ripe old age of....7! Lots to learn from this conversation - so sit back and enjoy!

An award-winning filmmaker, Debbie Lum's projects give voice to the Asian/American experience and other unsung stories. Her documentary, TRY HARDER!, shines a light on San Francisco's iconic Lowell High School as it follows members of the senior class as they navigate the system and the pressure they feel applying to Ivy League colleges. It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and was broadcast on PBS' Independent Lens, along with a campaign to promote student health and AAPI stories. So much to talk about, so join us for one fascinating, eye opening conversation.

Author Anne Whitney Pierce is a lifelong Cantabrigian (it's an adjective that refers or pertains to Cambridge University in England, or in Anne's case, Cambridge, Massachusetts). The author of several books, her most recent, DOWN TO THE RIVER, references Harvard Square in the 60s. It follows the privileged Potts family who falls apart during the raging uncertainty of the times. Anne's short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and reviews and has won several awards, including the Willa Cather Fiction Prize and a Barnes and Noble Great New Writers Award.

Warda Mohamed Abdullahi has one hell of a story to share and she does so in her powerful memoir, "Warda: My Journey from the Horn of Africa to a College Education." Her degree comes from a college in the U.S. How she got there is the basis of this riveting story told by a fierce young woman, who overcame endless obstacles to achieve her goals. We may say this often, but this is one conversation you shouldn't miss.

It's been a while, but former guest, Director Abby Epstein, is making a return appearance. Abby and Executive Producer Ricki Lake's latest collaboration, THE BUSINESS OF BIRTH CONTROL, examines the complex relationship between hormonal birth control and women's health and liberation. The documentary traces the feminist movement to investigate and expose the pill's risks alongside the racist legacy of hormonal contraception and its ongoing weaponization against communities of color. A lot to talk about? YOU BET!!

Born in Curacao and trained in the Netherlands, Gabri Christa is an accomplished filmmaker, curator, choreographer, performer and writer. She's passionate about social justice, multiculturalism and personal stories that have universal appeal. Gabri, who is also an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Barnard College, conceived and curated MOVING BODY-MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL, a biennial presentation of dance films that focus on issues of social justice. This year's program centers on The Moving Body with Disabilities. We know you'll enjoy our conversation with this engaging, passionate and committed creative woman.

Shirley Woodson made her artistic debut in 1960 and in the decades since, her brilliant and intensely colorful paintings have been exhibited here, there, and everywhere. And at 85, her first one-woman show at the prestigious Detroit Institute of Arts, which happens to be her hometown museum, is the talk of ‘the town.’ The solo exhibition, “Shield of the Nile Reflections,” focuses on the river’s importance to civilization. We are so excited for you to meet and get to know this fascinating, accomplished, engaging creative heavyweight.