On Topic, Off Script

Brian Mastroianni

Journalist Brian Mastroianni interviews newsmakers, creatives, advocates -- people who are making a mark -- for a series of intimate conversations. Guests include soccer legend Mia Hamm, iconic designer Sir Paul Smith, Grammy nominee Carnie Wilson, host and actor La La Anthony, Peloton trainer Matty Maggiacomo, and many more. They each share their inspirations, lessons they've learned along the way, and what they hope others can take away from their stories. To learn more about Brian and his work head to brianmastroianni.com. Seasons 1 & 2 available now. Stay tuned for more!

  1. JUN 20

    Health advocate spotlight: Heather Ward shares her asthma journey, what it was like to appear on 'American Idol'

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with Heather Ward to discuss her asthma advocacy and partnership with AstraZeneca. Based out of Fort Worth, Texas, Heather Ward is an application software builder for hospitals and is a proud mom of two. Heather joins On Topic, Off Script today, in partnership with AstraZeneca, to share her personal health journey with asthma. Born with a collapsed lung as a premature baby, Heather was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 5. This has been a thread that’s carried through her whole life. At age 11, she almost died from a flare-up, and over the years, she’s gone through trial and error with a number of medications and treatments. Things subsided until her second pregnancy, when her life was upended once again when her asthma reemerged. Earlier this year, she was prescribed Airsupra, a medication that has seen her experience a difference in her lungs right away. Research published this year in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that this medication significantly reduced the risk of a severe asthma attack by 47% compared to as-needed albuterol.  For the record, this podcast episode is neither influenced nor sponsored by a pharmaceutical company.  Brian sits down with Heather to learn more about her journey with asthma, how her passion for singing brought her to appear on American Idol (!), and what others can take away from her experiences.  The New England Journal of Medicine: Study, AstraZeneca press release Asthma resources: American Lung Association Asthma Resources Library, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Allergy & Asthma Network Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    22 min
  2. JUN 13

    Jess Rothschild gives her hot takes on SoulCycle with her new podcast 'Cult of Body & Soul'

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with Jess Rothschild to discuss her new docu-podcast series Cult of Body & Soul. Jess Rothschild produces and hosts pop culture podcast Hot Takes and Deep Dives. Since 2019, she’s interviewed the likes of Rosie O’Donnell, John Cameron Mitchell, Sandra Bernhard, and many more as she delves into all things queer pop iconography and New York City culture.  Now, she’s discussing Cult of Body & Soul, her new seven-part docu-podcast series that explores the cultural phenomenon of SoulCycle -- something that became much more than an indoor cycling workout. It hit the zeitgeist, attracting celebrities like Oprah Winfrey but also serving as a hub for community...and some controversy...over the years. Through the show, Jess interviews instructors, studio managers, front desk staff, and corporate insiders, while also weaving in her personal connection to SoulCycle and how it affected her own life. Brian sits down with Jess to hear what inspired her to do this deep dive on all things SoulCycle and what made something that -- on paper -- sounds like just an indoor spin class into the Cult of Body and Soul. Jess Rothschild: Instagram Cult of Body & Soul: Website, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Hot Takes & Deep Dives: Website Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    23 min
  3. MAY 30

    Peloton star Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts says yoga and meditation can heal from within and help us 'tap into our joy'

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with Peloton fav Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts. You know Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts as a popular yoga and meditation instructor for Peloton, and in 2018, she was named the first Black global ambassador for lululemon. With a PhD in Educational Studies, Chelsea has dedicated herself to making a positive impact on the world through yoga, believing that yoga and meditation can be healing — connecting us more deeply with ourselves and the world around us. From working with teen girls at Spelman College’s campus where she founded her Yoga, Literature, Arts Camp to The Power of Presence Peloton series with Shayla Stonechild that will launch this June, Chelsea believes yoga and meditation can make us all happier and healthier in our daily lives and are crucial tools for longevity and wellbeing.   Brian sits down with Chelsea to learn how yoga has transformed her life, suggestions for all of those yoga beginners out there, and how the healing and power of yoga and wellness comes from within.  Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts: Website, Instagram, Peloton Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    20 min
  4. MAY 16

    La La Anthony talks living with plaque psoriasis, hosting the 2025 Met Gala red carpet

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with La La Anthony. You know La La Anthony as an actor on shows like 'BMF' and 'Power' on Starz, a writer, a producer, and TV host extraordinaire from TRL all the way to hosting Vogue’s livestream of the Met Gala each first Monday of May.  Now, she’s partnering with Amgen to spread the word about plaque psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects more than 6 million adults in the U.S. alone. It’s a condition that stems from  inflammation, causing uncomfortable, painful, itchy patches on the skin. They're often found on the scalp, elbows, and knees. Through Moments with La La, she’s been getting personal about living with plaque psoriasis for more than a decade and how that’s impacted her day to day life.  Plaque psoriasis is often dismissed and misdiagnosed as just being another skin condition, which has led La La to dispel misconceptions and open up about her own experiences.  Brian sits down with La La to discuss her plaque psoriasis journey, this awareness campaign with Amgen, what it was like hosting this year’s Met Gala and the importance of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and why it’s crucial to reach out to others and seek support when facing an unexpected life challenge. La La Anthony: Instagram, TikTok Amgen: MomentsWithLaLa.com Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠⁠⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    11 min
  5. MAY 9

    Grammy nominee Carnie Wilson connects with those living with tardive dyskinesia (TD), talks the power of the mental health community

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with Carnie Wilson. You know Carnie Wilson as a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, whose varied career has seen her as part of the trio behind Wilson Phillips and a successful solo artist in her own right. She's also been a fierce mental health advocate, speaking out about her own experiences, while using her platform to support others. That advocacy work brings us to her current partnership with Neurocrine Biosciences on its Connecting with Carnie initiative. By way of ConnectingWithCarnie.com, Carnie is using her platform to support people living with tardive dyskinesia (TD), an involuntary movement disorder that is associated with the use of some mental health medications. It's a condition that often brings with it immense stigma, leaving those living with it to feel self conscious about seeking support and the treatment they need. At least 800,000 adults in the U.S. currently live with TD, while a high 60 percent remain undiagnosed. While Carnie doesn't have TD herself, her own personal and family history with mental health challenges inspired her to connect with TD patients and medical professionals alike to share resources on TD including information on treatments and support. ConnectingWithCarnie.com went live this month (May 2025). Brian chats with Carnie to discuss why it's important to destigmatize conversations around TD and how her own mental health journey and those of her family -- like her dad, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys fame -- fueled her advocacy. Carnie Wilson: Instagram Connecting With Carnie: ConnectingWithCarnie.com Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    15 min
  6. MAY 2

    Celebrity jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher reveals how a desmoid tumor diagnosis changed her life

    On Topic, Off Script host, journalist Brian Mastroianni sits down with Jennifer Fisher. Celebrity jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher joins the show to share how a very personal health journey changed her life — it led directly to the founding of her eponymous brand and is a story she hopes others can learn from.  At age 30 she was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor — a rare, aggressive, locally invasive soft tissue tumor. It can affect all areas of your life (chronic, long-lasting pain, loss of physical function, potential disfigurement, and for some people, all of this can feed directly into mental health concerns like depression and anxiety). For Jennifer it's been quite the journey. An unusual bump on the chest was misdiagnosed as being just a cyst, which led her down the path of second opinion, more accurate information, and ultimately a correct diagnosis.  Jennifer has now joined SpringWorks Therapeutics to raise awareness and share resources by way of DesmoidTumors.com. As she tells others with a similar story,  "you are bigger than your desmoid tumor." Brian chats with Jennifer who shares how this health journey impacted everything from motherhood to founding her brand, what you need to know about Desmond tumors, and advice for how to navigate some of those unexpected challenges life throws your way.  Jennifer Fisher: Jennifer Fisher Website, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry Instagram , Jennifer Fisher Instagram, Jennifer Fisher Kitchen Instagram SpringWorks Therapeutics: Website, Instagram, DesmoidTumors.com Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Logo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David J. Martin⁠ For more info on host, journalist Brian Mastroianni: ⁠⁠⁠⁠brianmastroianni.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@bmastroianni

    19 min

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Journalist Brian Mastroianni interviews newsmakers, creatives, advocates -- people who are making a mark -- for a series of intimate conversations. Guests include soccer legend Mia Hamm, iconic designer Sir Paul Smith, Grammy nominee Carnie Wilson, host and actor La La Anthony, Peloton trainer Matty Maggiacomo, and many more. They each share their inspirations, lessons they've learned along the way, and what they hope others can take away from their stories. To learn more about Brian and his work head to brianmastroianni.com. Seasons 1 & 2 available now. Stay tuned for more!

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