The Donna Drake Show

Donna Drake

The Donna Drake Show: Live it Up! is a weekly, one hour show featuring uplifting interviews with celebrity entertainers, sports legends, top journalists, business moguls, authors, motivational speakers, medical professionals, health and wellness experts, beauty and fashion icons, chefs, non-profit groups and everyday heroes sharing their stories of triumph, inspiration and perseverance. Hosted and created by Donna Drake, an international award-winning creative artist, writer, producer, actor and influencer. Donna also has a broadcast television version of this content. Past celebrity guests include Jay Leno, Howie Mandell, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett, Nelson DeMille, Gloria Estefan, Rita Moreno, Michael Strahan, Martha Wash, Eric Roberts, Tom Selleck, DNCE, Jeff Gordon, Kellie Pickler and Henry Winkler. Companies profiled include Bellicon, Neograft, Yellow Leaf Hammocks, Weruva, BrakTub, LOTTE Hotels & Resorts, MAZARS.With a studio in New York, The Donna Drake Show has produced episodes from across the US, Europe and Japan.The winner of two Telly Awards, and honored by the United Nations for Global Citizenship, The Donna Drake Show seeks to educate, entertain and prove without a doubt that the power to improve our lives – and shape a better world– lives inside us all.

  1. 2D AGO

    No Matter How Many Mistakes You Make Or How Slow You Progress, You Are Still Way Ahead Of Everyone Who Isn’t Trying with Sandra Miles - #200

    Donna talks with Darlene Basilicato the owner of Luxury Links. Luxury Links is a bespoke jewelry business specializing in custom-fit, sentimental permanent jewelry, offering personalized experiences like engraved charms (even handwriting!) and meaningful pieces through pop-ups across Long Island, focusing on community and creating unique, lasting connections.  Donna talks with Sandra Miles, PhD and is the Founder of Lumithea. Lumithéa Beauty, a skincare brand focused on confidence, intentional self-care, and wellness. She is also a global speaker, thought leader, and expert in leadership and organizational development with over two decades of experience in higher education.    Donna chats with Jeffeey P. Falk, Esq. of Falk and Klebanoff,, P.C. Falk & Klebanoff, P.C. is a West Hempstead, NY-based law firm serving New York and New Jersey, specializing in personal injury (car, work accidents, wrongful death, slip & falls), labor law, real estate, commercial litigation, immigration, and traffic violations, known for handling accident victims' cases on contingency.   Donna chats with Chloe Sikora, President of Hey Jude USA, Hey Jude USA, a subscription-based virtual assistant service providing 24/7 human-powered support for everything from travel rebooking to vendor negotiations and life admin. Originally launched as a high-end corporate concierge for Fortune 500 companies like Accenture and Hello Fresh, Hey Jude is now available to individuals seeking more freedom, less stress, and real solutions—powered entirely by real people.   Donna talks with Dr. Stephanie Lubin, DPM, MS of Empire Podiatry. Empire Podiatry is a New York City-based foot and ankle medical practice, founded by Dr. Stephanie Lubin, specializing in comprehensive, patient-centered care for all ages, focusing on sports medicine, biomechanics, and advanced surgical/non-surgical treatments to help people move pain-free. Donna talks with Dr. KKatie Serbian the Founder and CEO of Pop Cosmic Mushrooms. Pop Cosmic Mushrooms is a woman-owned small business that sells functional mushroom supplements, such as tinctures and honey, crafted to support overall well-being.    Donna chats with Albina Kuanova the CEO and BioActivate. BioActivate is an online wellness platform and blog, associated with Albina Kuanova, that focuses on topics like energy medicine, bio-frequency wellness, and holistic health. It appears to promote products like frequency-programmed patches designed to address energetic imbalances in the body.    Finally, Donna talks with Jennifer Brackenbury and Melissa McHale Content Creators. They create online comedy content that focuses on the shared experiences and everyday chaos of parenting, teaching, and general family life. T

    58 min
  2. DEC 8

    Meaning Is About Making a Difference, Not Having An Audience with - #198

    Donna talks with Sophia Donald from The Lemons To Lemonade Foundation. The Lemons to Lemonade Foundation is a nonprofit providing grief support for kids and teens who lost a loved one, offering free camps, peer support, and digital tools like workbooks and apps to build resilience through creative activities, community, and empowering them to find "sweetness" in tough times.   Donna talks with Olga Invaidi, Founder for Fashion 4 Ukraine, Anna Yudaeva, designer for Fashion 4 Ukrains and Tetiana Dadsahian Designer for Fashion 4 Ukraine. Fashion 4 Ukraine (F4U) is a significant fashion event during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) that serves as the exclusive platform showcasing Ukrainian designers, highlighting their resilience and creativity while connecting them to global markets.   Donna chats with Robbie Dye, Co-Founder and CEO of Our Farms. Our Farms is  an online retail marketplace featuring products from more than 20,000 American farms. farmer-owned online grocery marketplace that is connecting families directly with U.S. farmers for farm-fresh food, emphasizing transparency, supporting family farms.   Donna chats with Dr. Varun Sankuratri, OB/GYN of Pregnancy Pure. Pregnancy Pure is A Pregnancy Care supplement, like the popular Pregnacare brand, is a specialized multivitamin and mineral complex designed to provide essential nutrients for women before, during, and after pregnancy.   Donna alks with Kenneth Brown, CEO and Owner of Professor Bees Digestive Aid. "Professor Bees Digestive Aid" is a specific digestive remedy developed by Kenneth Brown, CEO of WMAC LLC. The product is described as a 100% effective, two-ingredient remedy for digestive health issues.    Donna talks with John Townsell Founder of RIAJN. John Townsell is the founder of the clean beauty and fragrance company RIAJN (pronounced "Ryan"), a name derived from his children, Ria (Victoria) and Jon (JN). He transitioned from an engineering background to entrepreneurship, creating RIAJN to blend personal heritage and clean ingredients into perfumes, skincare, and home scents, focusing on positive impact   Donna chats with Ian Conn, Director of Operations of The Ultimate Pet Bed. "The Ultimate Pet Bed" refers to a specific brand's versatile, 3-in-1 co-sleeper that mounts to your mattress, sits on the floor, or converts into a car seat for pets up to 40 lbs, keeping them close but separate from your bed.   Finally, Donna talks with Ryan McFarland Founder and CEO of Strider Bikes. A Strider bike is a brand of balance bike designed for young children to learn how to ride by focusing on balance before pedaling.

    58 min
  3. NOV 24

    Take The First Step In Faith. You Don't Have To See The Whole Staircase, Just Take The First Step with Darbie Angell -#197

    Donna talks with Stephanie Mahmoudi Co-Founder of Love Bites and Taline Dilanian Co-Founder of Love Bites. Love Bites is an all natural treat company native to the Northern Virginia area that serves to provide healthy homemade treats to satisfy your pup!   Donna chats with Nate Crisel and Marcos Lawson Co-Founders of Skoshify. Skoshify is a brand that sells a powdered supplement called "Think Tank," which is designed to be mixed into coffee or tea to enhance cognitive function, focus, and working memory. It is marketed as a pill-free alternative to energy drinks or traditional supplements.   Donna talks to Melody Sage Co-Founder an Perfumer for  A House on The Moon. A House on the Moon is an indie fragrance company that specializes in luxe, eco-friendly, clean perfumes inspired by the themes of literature, art, and nature.   Donna chats with Ben Liles COO of Totally Mushrooms and Katherine Harris CFO of Totally Mushrooms. Totally Mushrooms is a company that provides various products and services related to mushrooms, including a range of consumer products like functional mushroom supplements and gummies, as well as agricultural solutions like modular mushroom farms and fresh gourmet mushrooms for culinary use. The company aims to make mushroom cultivation, consumption, and their associated health benefits more accessible through its different offerings.  Donna talks with Kati Midgley, P-C and Bianca Patel, PA-C of Clarity Medical Aesthetics. Clarity Medical Aesthetics is a medical spa that offers a variety of aesthetic and anti-aging treatments, such as laser treatments, injectables, and skin rejuvenation procedures. Donna chats with Donna Eskew and Annette Jones founders of CoolHer. Menopause looks different for every woman, but one thing is universal: you deserve comfort and confidence through it all. They started CoolHer™ because they were tired of hiding fans at their desks, layering clothes to manage hot flashes, and pretending like nothing was happening. When they couldn’t find products that were effective, discreet, and designed for women like them, they decided to create their own. Donna talks with David Gingras Founder CEO Beans Hot Sauce Co. eans Hot Sauce Co. is a small-batch hot sauce company that makes unique sauces with ingredients like beans, peppers, and spices. The company, which may also be referred to as Bean Chili Sauce, is associated with making hot sauces that are "designed to charm your taste buds. Donna chats with Kim Dickerson owner of Yaya Skincare. Yaya Skincare, which makes clean and effective products for teens inspired by a grandmother's love.   Donna talks with Jennifer Founder and CEO of Devoir Candle Company.  Devoir Candle Company is a small, family-owned American business that makes natural, eco-friendly candles from pure beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils.   Donna chats with Darbie Angell  CEO and Designer of Darbie Angell. She built her empire on bed rest when she went into labor with my first born at 20 weeks. Armed with a legal pad and pen, she found her way into this industry without any connections or training and she aimed to empower women everywhere through her passion for creating beautiful dinnerware and unique home decor.   Donna talks with Heidi Larsen  Owner of Pickle Puzzles. This company produces jigsaw puzzles featuring the artwork of Mark Buehner, known for his children's books like Snowmen at Night. The company uses his classic illustrations, which often feature a character named Pickle Nose, as the basis for its puzzles.   Donna chats with Anthony Desanti Founder of ZIPSAFE. ZIPSAFE refers to a brand of anti-theft back

    58 min
  4. NOV 17

    Always Be A First Version Of Yourself And Not A Second Rate Version Of Someone Else With Marla McKenna -#196

    Donna talks with George Pammer Esq.,Attorney with Batarseh Pammer PLLC Batarseh Pammer PLLC is a law firm that provides legal services in family law, criminal defense, and traffic matters, primarily serving the Long Island and surrounding areas of New York. The firm handles various issues within these practice areas, including divorce, child custody, child support, criminal charges, and traffic violations. They also offer services in estate planning, wills, and trusts.   Donna talks to Elizabeth Alexander, Owner and Founder of Alexander Reading Method. The Alexander Reading Method is a comprehensive, play-based program for teaching children to read, focusing on phonics, multi-sensory activities, and building confidence.   Donna chats with Matthew Grima, Owner, Acpuncturis and Massage Therapist of Circle Wellness MD, Peter Arebalo, Owner, Lead Massage Therapst of Circle We;;ness MD and Dr. Behrouz Farahmandpour, Owner, Doctor of Ostephathy of Circle We;;ness MD. Circle Wellness MD is a holistic wellness center located in Melville, NY, that combines modern medical expertise with alternative therapies to treat patients holistically.   Donna talks with Chris Capuano, Author and Entrepreneur. Chris Capuano is an entrepreneur, author, and sales strategist known for his book, "No Ceiling, No Excuses: How To Stop Stalling Your Dream and Start Building Your Life," which details his journey from a challenging childhood to building a successful business. He is a prominent figure in the business and sales world, and his work focuses on themes of grit, mindset, and overcoming adversity to achieve entrepreneurial success.    Donna chats with Karlos Cobham, Grammy Nominated Artist. Born and raised in Barbados, Karlos Cobham is an Urban Contemporary Gospel recording artist, songwriter and producer. He's the CEO and flagship artist of his independently owned record label, KWEST Records (pronounced Quest).   Donna talks to Danny Gonzalez, Co-founder of BeFit Smoothies and Dahianna Cortes Co- founder of BeFit Smoothies. BeFit Smoothies is a wellness brand that offers ready-to-go smoothies and wellness shots made from all-natural fruits and vegetables, with no added sugar.     Donna sits down again and talks to Evan Hirsch, Fashion Designer Evan Hirsch is a 25 year old fashion designer, entrepreneur, TV personality, stylist, make up artist, and content creator from New York. He is most known for his transforming dresses, under the name EvanHirschFashion on TikTok, where he posts for over 484,000 fans. His designs have been viewed by over 65 million worldwide viewers and have captured celebrity attention by the likes of Kim Petras.   Donna talks with Marla McKenna, Author of Take Back Your Power. Marla McKenna is a Wisconsin

    58 min
  5. NOV 10

    Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question Is, ‘What Are You Doing For Others? with Dr. Chris Rosa - #195

    Donna talks with Amanda Osnard and Sebastien Osnar , Owners of My Town’s Cafe.  Located in the heart of East Islip, MY TOWN'S CAFÉ offers a cozy atmosphere, exceptional coffee, and delightful pastries. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the warmth of our community. Discover your new favorite place—where every cup feels like home! Donna chats with Dr. Ilana Rosenberg, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologis for Scarsdale Psychology Associates. Scarsdale Psychology Associates (SPA) is a psychotherapy practice in Westchester, NY, that offers individual, couples, and family therapy for children, teens, and adults. They specialize in treating issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship problems, with a strengths-based and empathic approach that focuses on self-compassion.     Donna talks to Jim Cummings, The voice of Winnie The Pooh, Tigger and Darkwin Duck, He is also a Podcaster. Jim Cummings is a prolific American voice actor and singer, best known for his work with Disney. He is the voice of iconic characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck, and has also provided vocals for the soundtracks of films like The Lion King and Pocahontas.     Donna chats with Robby Johnson, Musician . Robby Johnson is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter. He has over 10M views on YouTube and is approaching 8M streams. His first single broke TOP 20 on country radio, and its music video won CMT Pure's 12 Pack Countdown multiple weeks in a row.    Donna talks with Cali Tucker, Country Artist. Cali Tucker is  a remarkable country/pop recording artist, She emerges from a lineage of country music royalty, bearing the legacy as the daughter of Capitol Records recording artist, LaCosta Tucker, and the niece of the legendary Tanya Tucker.   Finally, Donna talks with Dr. Chris Rosa, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center. The Viscardi Center is a non-profit organization in New York that educates, employs, and empowers children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. It offers a lifespan of services, including a special education school, vocational training, and support for independent living. Additionally, it works with businesses on digital accessibility and consults on disability best practices.

    56 min
  6. NOV 3

    No Matter How Many Mistakes You Make Or How Slow You Progress, You Are Still Way Ahead Of Everyone Who Isn’t Trying with Lena Dunhmam - #194

    Donna talks with Ian Conn,Director of Operations of The Ultimate Pet Bed. The Ultimate Pet Bed" most commonly refers to a specific brand of co-sleeper that attaches to the side of an adult bed, allowing a pet to sleep nearby without being on the mattress. It is a 3-in-1 product that can also be used on the floor or in a car with an adapter. Alternatively, "ultimate pet bed" can describe high-quality pet beds from other brands like PetFusion, which are known for orthopedic memory foam and durability.  Donna chats with Josh Fox the Founder of The Brady Hunter Foundation. The Brady Hunter Foundation is a global organization focused on animal welfare, wildlife protection, and children's empowerment. The foundation was inspired by Fox's own dogs, Brady and Hunter.    Donna talks to David Armstrong, Author of Broadway Nation. David Armstrong is an American stage director, writer, producer, lecturer, educator and choreographer. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and later as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and where he is currently the Artistic Director Emeritus. He also currently serves on the faculty of the University of Washington School Of Drama where he teaches a course entitled: The Broadway Musical -How Immigrants, Jews, Queers and African-Americans Invented America's Signature Art Form and author of the book Broadway Nation.   Donna attends The Trbeca Film Festival and attends The Too Much Premier talks with Lena Dunhmam the writer and Director and Michelle Buteau, Comedian and Moderator or Tribeca Talks.    Donna chats with Adela Niciu, Owner of Purposeful Pup. Purposeful Pup is a brand that makes all-natural, single-ingredient dog treats, such as beef and rabbit sausages. Beyond providing healthy treats, the brand has a "Pawsitive Change" initiative where a portion of their proceeds is donated to non-profits focused on animal welfare, rescue efforts, and community programs. They also have a goal to help feed 1,000 children a day by the end of 2026.     Donna talks with Kristina Hartig, Shir Wender and Airs Gonzales Co-Founders and Co-Owners of Illumi Rx. A company that offers professional aesthetic treatments, like Botox, dermal fillers, and IV hydration, delivered at a client's home. Co-founded by nurse practitioners, the service focuses on providing personalized, discreet, and convenient care with a "safety-first approach "Their purpose is to help clients feel confident and radiant through medical and wellness services in the comfort of their own home.   Donna talks Ashley Ott and Marissa Schulman, Co-Founders of FillerFix. FillerFix is crafted with natural botanicals and delivered through a cooling ceramic applicator, the FillerFix lip serum soothes, hydrates, and supports skin regeneration—without parabens, synthetic fragrances, or unnecessary fillers. It’s ideal for post-procedure recovery, but equally effective as an everyday lip treatment for anyone seeking clean hydration and comfort. Whether you’re a med-spa regular or just looking for high-quality lip care with integrity, FillerFix is setting a new standard in beauty wellness.    Finally, Donna talks with Monica Michel, Owner and Founder of Cozimara. Cozimara is a baby brand that provides "modern baby essentials" like bathtubs and accessories designed to make bath time safer, more comfortable, and less stressful for both babies and parents.

    58 min
  7. OCT 26

    Don’t Listen To What People Say, Watch What They Do with Mathew Chang - #193

    Donna talks with Svetlana Fiterson Founder of The Together Co. The Together Co. Where creativity meets connection," and recent online activity, it appears to be a brand focused on social gatherings and workshops. The Together Co. offers custom events and creative experiences to bring people together.  Donna chats with Daria Goodman Partener with Travorium Travorium is a membership-based travel company that provides members with access to discounted travel deals and also offers an opportunity to build a business around travel.    Donna talks to Frank Chen, CEO of Sinomax. Sinomax is a global manufacturer and distributor of polyurethane foam products, most notably memory foam bedding like mattresses, pillows, and toppers    Donna chats with Malesa Schmelzer Co-Founder of Nutraflav and Zac Schmelzer Co-Founder of Nutraflav. Nutraflav is a brand that offers a line of plant-based, vegan pea protein powders marketed as being smooth, creamy, and easy to digest. The products are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, and are designed to be free from artificial ingredients and fillers.    Donna talks with Mathew Chang Founder of Chang Robotics Fund. The Chang Robotics Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm launched in early 2025 by Chang Robotics to invest in U.S.-based, disruptive technologies in the manufacturing, robotics, and automation sectors. The $50 million fund aims to support early-stage companies with capital, engineering expertise, and access to Chang Robotics' operational model to help them scale and compete.     Donna talks Lorna Cheatham, Owner and CEO of Clera’s Creative Gifts LLC. . Clera’s Creative Gifts LLC. is a company founded by Lorna Cheatham that designs and sells Afrocentric and African-American themed gift wrap, gift bags, and other gift products to celebrate culture and diversity.    Donna talks with Cameran Tucker owner of Camolina Food Co. Camolina Food Co. is a food company founded by Cameran Tucker that specializes in creating globally inspired, flavor-forward hot sauces and other savory products, such as the "Anything Sauce" and "Reaper Hot Sauce".     Finally, Donna talks with Laura Sikorski Owner of Sikorski-Tuerpe and Associates. Sikorski-Tuerpe and Associates is a consulting firm that specializes in helping companies improve their call center operations. The firm, with Laura Sikorski as the founder, provides services such as call center audits, migration planning, and the selection and implementation of telecommunications systems, workforce management, and quality assurance software.

    58 min

About

The Donna Drake Show: Live it Up! is a weekly, one hour show featuring uplifting interviews with celebrity entertainers, sports legends, top journalists, business moguls, authors, motivational speakers, medical professionals, health and wellness experts, beauty and fashion icons, chefs, non-profit groups and everyday heroes sharing their stories of triumph, inspiration and perseverance. Hosted and created by Donna Drake, an international award-winning creative artist, writer, producer, actor and influencer. Donna also has a broadcast television version of this content. Past celebrity guests include Jay Leno, Howie Mandell, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett, Nelson DeMille, Gloria Estefan, Rita Moreno, Michael Strahan, Martha Wash, Eric Roberts, Tom Selleck, DNCE, Jeff Gordon, Kellie Pickler and Henry Winkler. Companies profiled include Bellicon, Neograft, Yellow Leaf Hammocks, Weruva, BrakTub, LOTTE Hotels & Resorts, MAZARS.With a studio in New York, The Donna Drake Show has produced episodes from across the US, Europe and Japan.The winner of two Telly Awards, and honored by the United Nations for Global Citizenship, The Donna Drake Show seeks to educate, entertain and prove without a doubt that the power to improve our lives – and shape a better world– lives inside us all.