Spotlight Conversations

Donna Reed
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Radio personality and voiceover pro Donna Reed interviews friends in the entertainment biz inside her cozy linoleum free recording studio. Unscripted and always entertaining, listen in and find out why music + media are the conversation starters. Theme song: Mark Sparrow, Song Bird Studios | Booth announcer: Joe Szymanski 

  1. APR 22

    Award winning writer Annie Zaleski writes about one-of-a-kind "Goddess of Pop' icon known as Cher

    Visiting with journalist Annie Zeleski (Lady Gaga: Appplause; Pink: Raise Your Glass) about her new book 'I Got You Babe: A Celebration of Cher'. Featuring a  forward by Cyndi Lauper, Annie writes in depth about the fearless, down-to-earth "Goddess of Pop": how Cher started in the entertainment business, key moments in her life and career; her 50-year friendship with fellow diva Tina Turner, the Bob Mackie "revenge dress"for the 1998 Oscars; and let's not forget the video the U.S.Navy will never forget for her performance of 'Turn Back Time'! Join us as we talk music and pop culture in this week's episode! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    10 min

  2. APR 21

    Emmy Award winning music journalist Alan Light on why we love Fleetwood Mac in his new book 'Don't Stop'

    In the studio today with rock journalist Alan Light, who drops by to talk about his new book 'Don't Stop - Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac's Rumours' (available now wherever books are sold) and I gotta say, prior to this interview, I had my studio turntable rockin' with every Fleetwood Mac/Buckingham Nicks song ever made! The former senior writer at Rolling Stone and author of The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen; Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain and more, talks about the enduring legacy of Rumours, the classic rock album that not only sold over 40 million copies but as of 2023, was Spotify's most-streamed album from the 20th century! Alan's book discovers why Rumours continues to be popular with generations of music lovers, what made the album's transformation go from pop success to cultural touchstone, and more importantly, how the music stays relevant in today's changing music scene. Join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    10 min

  3. MAR 25

    Texas writer Mike Vance talks laughter and sports in his new book 'Comedians Talking Baseball'

    It's the start of baseball season and what better way to bring in this American rite of passage than to invite a writer to the podcast to talk about - you guessed it - baseball! Writer Mike Vance's new book 'Comedians Talking Baseball' features 40 professional stand-up comedians (including Robert Wuhl and comedy celebs from Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show) sharing poignant stories about comedy and baseball. Mike writes about personal memories, jokes, and true baseball history as seen through the eyes of veteran performers from the 1980s and '90s comedy boom. Bring along your weathered glove and fave team jacket and join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    12 min

  4. FEB 26

    Bass player George Bunnell of Strawberry Alarm Clock talks new music, psychedelic music, and their swingin' gig at Whisky A Go Go

    Revving up the 'way back machine' today with one of my fave 60s rock groups Strawberry Alarm Clock (Incense and Peppermints; Rainey Day Mushroom Pillow) with bass player for the band, George Bunnell! We start off talking about their new album 'Monsters' (and catch their follow up tune 'Blow Your Mind', also available at their website). Listen in as we talk about the early days of their music (where did the band's name come from you ask?), working with the late Ed King (who went on to work with Lynyrd Skynyrd), creating the ultimate E Major 7th chord (who knew?), working with Big Stir Records AND the band's cool upcoming gig at LA's famed Whisky a Go Go on February 28. Bring your 'flower power' selves and join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    14 min

  5. FEB 3

    Talent agent Albert Bramante of Bramante Artists talks performance, AI, voiceovers and how getting out of your head will help at your next audition

    In the Big Apple today to chat with the smart and savvy talent agent Albert Bramante of Bramante Artists - and he covers it all when it comes to the present AND future state of the voiceover industry! Not only is he a hypnotherapist, he also holds a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology (his dissertation - "Correlation between Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, Personality, Fear of Success, and Self-Defeating Behaviors of Performing Artists" from Walden University), so with all that understanding of how a performer's brain works - along with years of agency experience - Bramante shares with us the concept of how to "get out of your head" at your next voiceover or acting audition (yup, it's a thing!); how the first step to success is building good relationships, what it means to 'book the room'; the future of AI and voiceovers and so much more. Definitely get his book "Rise Above The Script: Confronting Self Doubt and Mastering Self Sabotage for Performing Artists". Bring along your expressive selves and join us!  About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    19 min

  6. JAN 6

    Actor Phil Proctor and Writer Samuel Warren Joseph talk comedy, film and their new children's book 'The Magic Maze Trilogy'

    Starting the New Year with more than a few laughs with two talented entertainers, who've written a new children's book 'The Magic Maze Trilogy': actor Phil Proctor (founding member of the Grammy nominated Firesign Theatre; Window of Opportunity, God Help Us - AND he's also the voice of 'Howard' on the animated series Rugrats!) along with writer Samuel Warren Joseph (Off Your Rocker, Campaign, Window of Opportunity, Duck Tales, Dennis the Menace). Join us as we discuss their new book, how they met up to write the book and all the rollicking stories in between  - including a funny story as we start the podcast about the late actor Milton Berle.  About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    29 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    Talking with Ted Widmer, editor for Paul McCartney's new book 'Wings: The Story Of A Band On The Run'

    Historian and biographer Ted Widmer is the editor of Paul McCartney's new book  "Wings: The Story Of A Band On the Run' - is not only a vivid account of Paul's music after the Beatles broke up, but it's also about his second act of life on the road - and in the studio - with his new band Wings. As a respected historian and writer, Widmer shapes McCartney's story into an engaging narrative (I couldn't stop reading it!) with personal stories of the beginnings of Wings to the cultural and societal changes happening in music from the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. A flashback conversation you won't soon forget - still, get the book and read all the details of this second chapter of Paul's music. Join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    10 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    Vocalist Nick Heyward of British pop band Haircut 100 talks music, the 80s and touring with Howard Jones

    Nick Heyward, frontman of Haircut 100, is currently touring the US alongside Howard Jones as part of Jone's 2025 'Dream Into Action" anniversary tour, and Nick stops by the studio to talk 80's music, tourning with Howard and more! Nick discusses all the excitement at the start of the tour, held at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, along with talk about the classic Haircut energy style of music he and his bandmates are famous for! Listen in as we discuss the band's early hits from the album Pelican West (MTV mainstays 'Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) 'Love Plus One' and 'Fantastic Day' were always a fave), the excitement of touring again with the band, and - before he wraps up our interview - he will share the latest on their new album coming up in 2026.  Join us! About the Spotlight Conversations podcast: Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'!  Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker!  Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Spotlight'. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For more on what I'm doing when I'm not podcasting head on over to my Linktree account Social media links, website and more here Follow and subscribe here Booth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy') Them...

    9 min
See All (155)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Radio personality and voiceover pro Donna Reed interviews friends in the entertainment biz inside her cozy linoleum free recording studio. Unscripted and always entertaining, listen in and find out why music + media are the conversation starters. Theme song: Mark Sparrow, Song Bird Studios | Booth announcer: Joe Szymanski 

Information

  • Creator
    Donna Reed
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Spotlight Conversations
  • Show Website
    Spotlight Conversations