ArtsPerforming Arts

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich

On Mic with Jordan Rich is all about the Art of Conversation. Conversation with creative people who have a lot to say and a lot to offer. From artists and scientists to entrepreneurs, authors, change-makers and more, enjoy conversations that will educate, entertain and inspire! Learn more at: chartproductions.com

Play

Open in

26 episodes
Avg 25 min
English

Episodes 26

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Today · 33 min
LINDA KAPLAN THALER – 568
Today enjoy my conversation with Advertising Hall of Famer Linda Kaplan Thaler, author of “My Life in 30 Seconds.” The book chronicles her iconic ad campaigns that are so much a part of American pop culture – the Aflac “Duck,” the Toys ‘R’ Us jingle that most anyone can sing by heart, those sexy, edgy shampoo commercials that sparked nationwide buzz and much more. Linda shares stories of famous celebrity encounters in this rare memoir that proves life’s biggest lessons don’t take a lifetime. They often take about thirty seconds!
September 23 · 14 min
Mark Comstock -567
Taking better care of my body has been a key goal of mine and the hard work certainly pays off. Today, I’d like you to meet my personal trainer, an exceptional guide to better health through exercise. Mark Comstock is a fully licensed certified athletic trainer with a thorough background in human physiology, who focuses on prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic injuries and medical conditions. He trains people from all backgrounds and ages and is someone who cares deeply about his clients, treating the whole person, often becoming their trusted friend. Mark and I have been working together for a few years now. I feel that I am in the best shape of my life and owe much of it to him. We had the chance to talk before our workout in a quieter part of the gym about his winning philosophy and approach. You can find out more at www.markcomstock.com.
September 18 · 26 min
Nathaniel Philbrick, historian, author of “Rush” -566
It is an honor to welcome one of the nation’s foremost historians Nathaniel Philbrick, author of several award-winning books including “Mayflower,” “Valiant Ambition,” and “Bunker Hill.” His latest is “The Rush : California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World.” Philbrick follows the gold from its discovery in the late 1840’s to a colorful cast of characters in the halls of power, revealing how vigilantism hardened into law and how debates over slavery in the West tipped the balance in Washington. His book is loaded with fascinating information about one of the most impactful events in our history. The Gold Rush involved a series of dramatic events, setting the stage for America’s economic, geographic and cultural history.
September 15 · 20 min
Major General Treacy on 9-11 anniversary -565
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is my honor to welcome Air Force (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Jonathan Treacy to the podcast. General Treacy was the commander of the 101st Fighter Squadron at Cape Cod that provided the initial air defense response to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. Tracer, as he is known to fellow fighter pilots and ground crews, also led the 101st through two combat deployments to Southwest Asia prior to 9/11: Operations Northern and Southern Watch. He served as the Joint Staff’s Deputy Director for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, as acting Director of Staff for the National Guard Bureau, and Commander, Joint Task Civil Support, U.S. Northern Command’s Standing Operational Joint Task Force. Major General Treacy has been awarded several service medals and was the keynote speaker during the 25th Annual Commemoration in the Massachusetts State House Chambers on September 11th. Special thanks to the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund for their dedication to remembrance and education. www.massfund.org.
September 11 · 18 min
Trisha Blanchet, author of “Murder Like Magic” -564
I love to highlight creative thinkers and writers on the show. Today, an outstanding example of just such a writer! Meet Trisha Blanchet, former reporter, editor, and award-winning columnist. She’s penned a new fantasy-mystery entitled, “Murder Like Magic,” featuring a telepathic witch-slash-private investigator named Tess Tulley. The action takes place in Mill City, a pseudonym for Lowell Massachusetts, where a community of witches of Irish descent make up a good portion of the citizenry, each with his or her own rather unique magical powers. Well, there is murderer afoot and it’s up to Tess to figure things out while dodging threats from a bevy of unsavory “Spinners.” “Murder Like Magic” is a solid mystery with colorful characters, just the thing for fans of wisecracking PI’s who beat the odds to solve the case!
September 3 · 17 min
Lauren Ambrose Actress/Singer -563
Lauren Ambrose is a sought-after award-winning TV, film and stage actress. Just a few of her career highlights include starring in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” along with other series such as “Yellow Jackets, ”Servant,”( produced by M Night Shyamalan), “The X-Files” and “Party of Five.” Lauren has appeared on Broadway with many musicals and Shakespearean productions to her credit. An accomplished singer, Lauren talks about coming home with her appearance in Needham, Massachusetts ( just outside of Boston ) to kick off the new season of the Great Hall Performance Series (www.greathallperformance.org). Lauren shares stories of her show business mentors, some behind-the-scenes looks into her iconic TV appearances and how she has fostered a nice balance between her public and family life. A native New Englander, this talented redheaded lady is a dedicated Red Sox fan whose energy is contagious!
August 26 · 32 min
Ranting Parents Comedy Tour -562
OK, ready to rant about your kids? How about letting three very funny standup comics do the “ heavy lifting” for you? Get ready to meet three of the Boston area’s top comedians Paul Nardizzi, Jim Ruberti and Dave Rattigan. They explain why this hilarious show is so relatable, to parents, grandparents and even younger folks who haven’t had the pleasure of starting a family yet. These Dads all love their kids, but as we know those same kids can and will drive you crazy!!!
August 11 · 30 min
Cousin Cliff! -561
Today’s guest makes one of the most challenging of wind instruments “sing!” Meet Clifford Tetle, a master of the bass clarinet with his latest CD entitled, “A Bass Clarinet Kind of Day.” Cliff has been a clarinet, tenor and alto sax player for decades. He is one of handful of musicians who adapts the bass clarinets to jazz standards from the American songbook. Oh, did I mention he is also your lovable podcast host’s first cousin? Yes, this one is special, because this one is family. To order the CD you can email cliffordtetle@gmail.com or call/text him at 781-298-1986. Settle back and enjoy some sweet talk about a sweet sound!
August 6 · 21 min
Paul McMurtry, Dedham Community Theatre -560
Our guest today is one of the hardest working guys in show business! Meet Paul McMurtry, owner of a marvelous local movie palace in Dedham, Massachusetts, the Dedham Community Theatre. In 2027 this small theatre will reach a milestone, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Paul discusses the joys and challenges of presenting films on the big screen, the way movies were always meant to be seen!
July 31 · 14 min
YO YO MA -559
I got the chance to sit down for a conversation with one of the world’s premier musicians and humanitarians. He is celebrated cellist Yo Yo Ma. The focus is “We The People,” a series of concerts, conversations and special events at Tanglewood in the Berkshires curated by Yo Yo Ma during the beginning of August 2026. It’s an ambitious project involving our nation’s shared past, present and future featuring a star-studded array of world class musicians. We also talk about the power music has to affect positive change, how practicing can and should be fun and the origin of his cello’s name. (It is Petunia by the way!) Enjoy a warm and engaging chat with the one and only Yo Yo Ma!
July 31 · 48 min
Peter M. Hoffman, author of Karmic Winds… -558
Peter M. Hoffman is the author of “Karmic Winds: Reflections from The Smartest Guy in Hollywood.” Peter is a Yale-trained attorney who became a powerful Hollywood insider helping to steer blockbuster films such as Rambo, Terminator 2 and Basic Instinct. A pioneering figure during the independent film industry boon, Peter enjoyed much success. But as the industry turned, legal battles mounted and he was dogged by a federal investigation that landed him behind bars. There he penned this memoir examining the nature of justice, the seductions of power and the invisible forces that shape our lives. He speaks openly about his lifelong pursuit of meaning through Buddhism and shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of some of the movie industry’s most pivotal moments.
July 26 · 23 min
Changing Futures Now Joel Steiner, Dr. Steven Freedman • CF RESEARCH -557
Meet Joel Steiner, co-founder of Changing Futures (www.changingfuturesnow.org), committed to improving the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), by addressing the overlooked gastrointestinal ( GI) challenges they face later in life. Joining Joel on today’s podcast is Dr. Steven D. Freedman, MD, PhD and a leader in the field of gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Changing Futures is supporting the research of Dr. Freedman, which as you’ll hear, could not only bring hope to CF patients, but has potential to offer promising new modes of detection and treatment in the fight against cancer and other diseases. As the only charity entirely focused on these life-threatening issues, the mission of Changing Futures is to advance research, deliver essential resources and develop a compassionate and informed community. Efforts worth supporting!
July 22 · 29 min
Stacey Shipman -556
Let me introduce you to a lovely lady who knows about the power of laughter. Ever look at your life and think, ‘How the heck did I get here?’ Through comedy, funny songs, and stories, Stacey Shipman explores life’s twists and turns, things like aging, burnout, and unexpected caregiving. She also works with leaders who know their event or message needs a shake-up. Whether she’s performing, writing, or facilitating conversation, Stacey’s goal is to leave you feeling lighter, braver, and less alone. She definitely achieves that and more! Check out Stacey at www.StaceyShipman.com.
July 17 · 27 min
Jason Singer, Jeopardy Champion! -555
Ready for a look behind the scenes at America’s most challenging and popular game show? Well, you came to the right place because today’s guest is Jason Singer, a recent Jeopardy champion. What makes the story even more cool is that a few years earlier Jason’s wife Susan also appeared on Jeopardy and she came away a winning champion! Besides talking with Jason about Jeopardy behind the scenes, we chat about the many benefits of being curious, why trivia isn’t silly at all, how engaging yourself in learning about a lot of things, some outside of your comfort zone, strengthens your brain and makes for a much more interesting and fun life. In a culture that often rewards physical achievement, it’s nice to know that Jeopardy exists for those of us who exercise our thinking muscles. Congratulations to Jason and Susan, one smart couple!
July 13 · 22 min
Alex Grass, author of Infernal Tramps -554
Today’s guest is a writer whose imagination seems boundless. Meet Alex Grass, a writer of horror fiction, whose work is incredibly engaging, creative, scary and at times quite humorous. He’s written several critically acclaimed novels. Today we focus on his book of short stories,” Infernal Tramps: Tales of Weird Terror.” Alex shares his views on his favorite writers of horror fiction and why certain scary films and TV shows such as “The Twilight Zone” are so impactful. The short stories, some of which are just a couple of pages pack quite an emotional punch. As fellow writer Stphen Gallagher says “these are under-the-skin stories, nightmare scenarios that are elegant, gripping and seriously strange!”
July 8 · 22 min
Bill Brett, Boston Veteran’s Book! -553
Award–winning Boston based photojournalist Bill Brett has created a terrific series of memorable coffee table-sized books over the years. He tells us he is most pride of his seventh book. It is entitled, “Boston Veterans Appreciation,” reflecting Bill’s deep respect for all those who have served our country, men and women, young and old, all races, creeds, religions and backgrounds. Photographing these veterans offers a way to honor those who have sacrificed and to preserve their stories for posterity.
July 4 · 28 min
Robert Fitzgibbon, author of “Murder in Salem” -552
Here is one for true crime fans! A riveting story by author Robert Fitzgibbon entitled, “Murder in Salem Massachusetts: The Death of Frances Cochran.” Journey back to July 17th, 1941 just north of Boston in the City of Lynn, Massachusetts where an attractive nineteen-year-old Frances Cochran is picked up by an unknown driver in a mysterious black automobile. She is never heard from again. Her mutilated body is found days later in a lover’s lane in Salem, a city known for its macabre past. Decades roll by with police following up on thousands of leads. The murder makes national headlines and is tangled up with other unsolved murders including the 1947 Los Angeles Black Dahlia case. Decades roll by with police following up on thousands of leads but the case remains unsolved. Rob delves into stories of the mysterious, eerie and forgotten. And this latest one is true chiller!
July 4 · 39 min
David Kruh and Tina Garvey Drzal, authors of Little Mister Victory -551
It happened on August 15, 1945, as Bostonians celebrated the end of World War II. A well-dressed woman asked a teenage newsboy to watch her newborn baby, promising to return after running a quick errand. She never did. “Little Mister Victory”: A Daughter’s Search for the Woman Who Abandoned Her Father on VJ Day,” is the true story of a quest, by the baby’s daughter, to find the woman who abandoned her father. Novelist and historian David Kruh teamed up with the daughter Tina Garvey Drzal to solve a life-long mystery. It is a riveting story of family secrets, the impact of legacy and colorful Boston history that presents some shocking surprises along the way!
June 26 · 18 min
Malli Gero, Boston Business Mentors -550
Meet Malli Gero, who heads up a relatively new group called Boston Business Mentors, providing business consultation, education and practical resources to small businesses, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs and nonprofits across every sector — all for free. Through one-on-one mentoring, interactive workshops anda expert guidance, BBM equips leaders with the tools to grow their organizations and businesses. A win-win for the mentors and those they help! Find out more at www.bbmentors.org.
June 26 · 32 min
Justin Baer, author of House of Fidelity -549
We welcome Wall Street Journal award winning writer and editor Justin Baer who offers us an unprecedented account of the private family who have brought us one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions. His book is entitled, “House of Fidelity: The Rise of the Johnson Dynasty and the Company that Changed American Investing.” Fidelity introduced the 401K, expanded access to mutual funds, and upended the need for traditional brokers. The company touches the lives of millions of Americans. Learn the inside story of its incredible growth and the internal power struggles within the family dynasty.

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes