Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela

The Great American Recipe Host Alejandra Ramos

June 16, 2022 08:30 - 50 minutes - 41.2 MB

Alejandra Ramos is a chef, food writer, and television personality who hosts the new PBS competitive cooking series The Great American Recipe. Alejandra joins Heath to discuss the filming of her new show during the pandemic, the evolving definition of American food, plus her journey to sharing recipes on TV and her work as a contirbutor to TODAY.

Fat Moon Mushrooms Farmer Elizabeth Almeida

May 19, 2022 08:30 - 55 minutes - 45.1 MB

Elizabeth Almeida is the founder and owner of Fat Moon Mushrooms, a certified organic grower in the Boston area. She joins Heath to discuss how she kept her mushroom farm afloat during the pandemic, the importance of a resilient local food system, and the wisdom waiting to be discovered in the forest.

DAME Magazine Founder and Publisher Jennifer Reitman

May 05, 2022 08:30 - 55 minutes - 45.2 MB

Jennifer Reitman founded DAME Magazine as a woman-owned and operated online publication with smart features about contemporary issues. She joins Heath to discuss the challenges of running an independent media company, how she finds and cultivates talented writers, dealing with the exhaustion that many readers feel from the news, and the role of social media and self-publishing platforms on our information ecosystem

SNL Cue Card Lead Wally Feresten

April 21, 2022 08:30 - 47 minutes - 38.8 MB

For more than 30 years, Wally Feresten has played an important role in iconic comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and the Amber Ruffin Show, where he leads the team that writes and holds the cue cards for every episode. Wally joins Heath to discuss the technical aspects of the job, what it's been like appearing in frequent cameos during A Closer Look, and the business he started when shows couldn't work in person during the pandemic.

Physician and Author Dr. Steven Gundry

April 07, 2022 08:30 - 51 minutes - 41.9 MB

Dr. Steven Gundry was a cardiothoracic surgeon before focusing his practice on how diet can cause or prevent certain autoimmune diseases. He joins Heath to talk about Heath's experience with the Plant Paradox diet over the last sixth months and he also shares research from his new book Unlocking the Keto Code.

Sesame Street Puppeteer Warrick Brownlow-Pike

March 24, 2022 08:30 - 48 minutes - 39.2 MB

UK-based puppeteer Warrick Brownlow-Pike is best known in the US for playing Gonger on Sesame Street, but he's also had a long career on CBBC playing Dodge the Dog and other characters. Warrick joins Heath to discuss puppeteering at home durng the quarantine, plus how he developed his craft from an early age, and how he got to Sesame Street.

Making Fun's Jimmy DiResta Returns

March 10, 2022 08:30 - 47 minutes - 38.2 MB

After a long hiatus, Heath returns for a conversation with maker Jimmy DiResta to discuss his new Netflix series Making Fun. Jimmy talks about how the show originated with an Instagram post, the challenges of getting it made during the pandemic, and his thoughts on being his own boss and living on a farm in Upstate New York.

HGTV's Jon Pierre and Mary Tjon-Joe-Pin

June 10, 2021 08:30 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MB

House flippers and renovators Jon Pierre and Mary Tjon-Joe-Pin return to HGTV this month with their new series Two Steps Home. They join Heath to discuss filming the show during the pandemic, giving up their full time jobs to become house flippers, their path to HGTV stardom, and working with Erin and Ben Napier on Home Town Takeover in Wetumpka, Alabama.

NBC and MSNBC Anchor and Reporter Richard Lui

June 03, 2021 08:30 - 44 minutes - 41.5 MB

Richard Lui has covered breaking news as both a reporter and anchor for NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN. He's also taken on the role of caregiver to his father in San Francisco, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Richard joins Heath to discuss juggling a career and family obligations, being one of the few employees allowed at 30 Rock during the pandemic, and his new book Enough About Me about what he has learned about the power of selflessness.

Musician Jesse Terry

May 27, 2021 08:30 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry's seventh album When We Wander looks at life as a new parent and the lessons learned on the open road, where he has spent the past decade. Jesse joins Heath to discuss his writing process, musical influences, and how life changed for him as a working musician during COVID.

Actor Scott Foley: One Year Later

May 20, 2021 08:30 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MB

Actor Scott Foley was the first guest ever on Quarantine Creatives. He joins Heath to mark the one year anniversary of the podcast and reflect on all that has happened since May, 2020. Scott chats about RVing across the country with his family, hosting and judging Ellen's Next Great Designer for HBOMax, his own interest in furniture design, and shooting a pilot for The Big Leap on Fox, which took more than year to complete because of COVID.

Documentary Filmmaker Tom Jennings

May 13, 2021 08:30 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MB

Tom Jennings brings his background in journalism to all of his documentaries by telling a story without any narration or newly produced interviews. He joins Heath to discuss acquiring the rights to private tapes for Diana: In Her Own Words, scoring films with Hans Zimmer, and hunting for the perfect piece of archive footage, which became especially problematic during the pandemic. His latest project The Real Right Stuff is streaming now on Disney+.

NPR Reporter and Anchor Arun Rath

May 06, 2021 08:30 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

Arun Rath has worked in many roles across public media during his career, including as a producer, reporter, editor, and these days as an on-air anchor. He joins Heath to discuss hosting GBH's All Things Considered and his local pandemic show In It Together, broadcasting from his basement for more than a year, and his candid thoughts on the future of public media.

Our Towns Filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan

April 29, 2021 08:30 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MB

In their new film for HBO "Our Towns," Boston filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan look at how small towns across America are reinventing themselves. The husband and wife team join Heath to discuss their working relationship, how the focus of the film shifted after the pandemic, and their partnership with reporters James and Deborah Fallows, who are featured in the film.

Journalist and Made In China Author Amelia Pang

April 22, 2021 08:30 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MB

Amelia Pang is an investigative journalist whose new book Made In China looks at the forced labor system in Chinese manufacturing plants. She joins Heath to discuss her writing process and style, the ethical challenges Western consumers face when shopping, and how the mass detention of Uyghers could be the beginning of another mass genocide akin to the Holocaust.

The Laundry Guy from Discovery+ Patric Richardson

April 15, 2021 08:30 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MB

Patric Richardson has devoted his career to teaching people how to wash their clothes in a way that is safe for the fabric and better for the environment. He joins Heath to discuss the origins of his new show The Laundry Guy on Discovery+, plus the challenges of filming during the pandemic. He also shares insights from his book Laundry Love and talks about how his roots in rural Kentucky inform his approach to cleanliness.

Kids on the March Author Michael G Long

April 08, 2021 08:30 - 45 minutes - 42.3 MB

Michael G Long has been studying marches and protests for a long time, authoring books on figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Bayard Rustin. He joins Heath to discuss his new book Kids on the March, which looks at the role of children in protest movements from the early 20th century to today. It's also his first book geared towards children. Michael explains why he wanted to reach kids and how COVID has affected the way we protest.

CBS Lucky Dog Hosts Eric and Rashi Wiese

April 01, 2021 08:30 - 42 minutes - 39.6 MB

Eric and Rashi Wiese are the new hosts of the CBS show Lucky Dog, which helps train and place rescue dogs in new homes. They join Heath to talk about filming their first season of the show during the pandemic, plus what they've learned about the best ways to train a dog, and how Rashi's background in human psychology and sociology helps her understand canines in a different way.

MTV's The Real World Cast Member Andre Comeau

March 25, 2021 08:30 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MB

In 1992, Andre Comeau and six other strangers moved into a New York City apartment and had their lives taped for the first season of MTV's The Real World. 29 years later, that same cast reunited in the same loft for The Real World Homecoming, which is now streaming on Paramount+. Andre joins Heath to discuss the reunion, the bonds he shares with his fellow cast, and the impact of The Real World on popular culture.

Waffles + Mochi Lead Puppeteer Michelle Zamora

March 18, 2021 08:30 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

Michelle Zamora began her career in puppetry by making VHS videos with her toys as a child. She and her husband founded Viva La Puppet in Los Angeles and she puppeteers Waffles in the new Netflix kids's show Waffles + Mochi. She talks with Heath about making the show just before the pandemic hit, the challenges of "eating" with a puppet, and working with Michelle Obama and celebrity chefs.

Square Co-Founder Jim McKelvey

March 11, 2021 09:30 - 50 minutes - 46.9 MB

Jim McKelvey is a glass blower in Saint Louis who turned his frustration about accepting credit cards into the innovative payment business Square, which he cofounded with Jack Dorsey. Jim joins Heath to discuss his book The Innovation Stack, which looks at what makes entrepreneurial ventures succeed. He also discusses the innovation he's observed during the pandemic and Square's recent acquisition of the music streaming service Tidal.

Beating Burnout at Work Author Paula Davis

March 04, 2021 09:30 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MB

After experiencing her own burnout in the legal profession, Paula Davis founded the Stress and Resilience Institute, which helps companies and individuals address burnout risks. Her new book Beating Burnout at Work offers a scientific approach to fighting burnout. She joins Heath to discuss her writing process during COVID, how workplaces are evolving because of the pandemic, and her own experience with burnout.

Kim's Convenience Star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee

January 28, 2021 09:30 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MB

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee stars in the CBC comedy Kim's Convenience about a family of Korean immigrants that run a corner store in Toronto, which streams on Netflix as well. He joins Heath to discuss returning to shoot Season 5 during COVID and the challenges that went along with that. He also shares behind the scenes stories from his role as Captain Teva on The Mandalorian, plus his interests in cosplay and collectible toys.

Earth to Ned's Paul Rugg

January 25, 2021 09:30 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

Paul Rugg provides the voice and some puppeteering for the new Jim Henson show Earth to Ned, which streams on Disney+. He joins Heath to talk about the complex puppetry that goes into making an alien like Ned come alive, plus his career writing and providing voices for classic animated shows like Animaniacs and Freakazoid!

Sesame Street Star and Writer Sonia Manzano

January 21, 2021 09:30 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MB

For more than four decades, Sonia Manzano played Maria on Sesame Street in front of the camera and served as a writer on the show behind the scenes. She joins Heath to talk about her new book A World Together, which explores our shared humanity despite our differences. She also discusses her experience on Sesame Street and previews her upcoming PBS Kid's series Alma's Way.

Khaki Is Not Leather Director Ray Smiling

January 18, 2021 09:30 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

Ray Smiling is both a creative director for ad agencies and a director on his own films. His latest project is the anthology series Khaki Is Not Leather, which looks at the role of technology in sex and intimacy during the pandemic. Ray joins Heath to discuss the technical challenges of creating this project fully remotely, his own views on how technology affects our personalities, and how working in advertising has changed his approach to filmmaking.

Legendary Disney Producer/Director Don Hahn

January 14, 2021 09:30 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MB

Don Hahn was the producer behind classic Disney films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, has authored several books, and has produced and directed many documentaries. His latest film Howard looks at the life of lyricist Howard Ashman. Don joins Heath to discuss some of the creative choices he made in Howard, working on classic Disney movies, and what he thinks drives creative people.

The Antidote Filmmaker Kahane Cooperman

January 11, 2021 09:30 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MB

In her new documentary The Antidote, Kahane Cooperman (and her co-director John Hoffman) explore stories of kindness, decency, and the power of community. Kahane talks with Heath about some of the unique creative choices that make the film impactful, why kindness makes us feel good, and her own optimism in spite of the state of the country. She also discusses her 18 years as a producer at The Daily Show.

PBS American Portrait EP Craig D'Entrone

January 07, 2021 09:30 - 50 minutes - 46.9 MB

PBS American Portrait attempts to answer the fundamental question of what it means to be an American today using self-shot videos submitted from all over the country. The centerpiece of this project is a four part docuseries now running on PBS. Craig D'Entrone is the show runner of the project, and he joins Heath to discuss the challenges of making a documentary without a filming crew, how quarantine has affected production, and what he learned about the American spirit.

The Brady Bunch and HGTV Star Maureen McCormick

January 04, 2021 09:30 - 56 minutes - 52.5 MB

Maureen McCormick is best known for playing Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch, but her passion for old houses, handcrafted vintage furniture, and antiques has made her a great fit at HGTV. Along with her fellow Brady castmates, she helped renovate the Brady Bunch house in 2019, and her latest home renovation show Frozen In Time is now streaming exclusively on Discovery+. Maureen joins Heath to talk about her deep rooted love of all things vintage and what home has meant to her over the years.

Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical's Emily Jacobsen

December 31, 2020 09:30 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MB

In August, school teacher Emily Jacobsen uploaded a sixteen second video to TikTok about Remy, the cooking rat from Pixar's Ratatouille, which unexpectedly sparked a movement on TikTok. Emily joins Heath to discuss how her video inspired creators all over the world, getting to tour the new Ratatouille ride at Epcot before it opens, and Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, a one-time streaming event with big name Broadway talent to benefit The Actors Fund.

Kaufman Astoria Studios CEO Hal Rosenbluth

December 28, 2020 09:30 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MB

As President and CEO of Kaufman Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens, Hal Rosenbluth manages the oldest studio in New York City. He joins Heath to discuss how COVID-19 has changed how they do business. He talks how state government tax incentives have increased the amount of capital being spent on production. He also describes the role that Kaufman Astoria has played in driving development and reinvestment in the neighborhood around their campus.

Classical Radio Station Manager Anthony Rudel

December 21, 2020 09:30 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MB

Anthony Rudel grew up in the classical music business, and he has served as Station Manager at WCRB in Boston for 7 years. He talks with Heath about the formatting that he translated from rock and roll stations to classical, how he has leveraged automated programming software, and his push during the pandemic to recreate the concert hall experience, including keeping the 166 year old tradition of live performances of Handel's Messiah alive for Boston through innovative technology.

Comedian Lizz Winstead

December 17, 2020 09:30 - 52 minutes - 48.6 MB

Comedian Lizz Winstead has had a big impact on the media business, co-founding The Daily Show and Air America. Her new comedy special, Corona Borealis: A Night of Comedy Under the Stars, includes untested material performed on a lake and around a campfire in Minnesota. She talks with Heath about how she's dealt with the pandemic, how she uses comedy to call out hypocritical politicians, and her work with Abortion Access Force, a non-profit abortion advocacy group that she founded.

Journalist and Notorious RBG Co-author Irin Carmon

December 14, 2020 09:30 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MB

Irin Carmon has been a journalist with NBC News, MSNBC, Jezebel, and New York Magazine. She coauthored the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biography Notorious RBG and helped break the Charlie Rose accusations for The Washington Post. She joins Heath to discuss the impact that RBG has had on how she co-parents her infant daughter, how the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements share similar characteristics that allowed them to get big when they did, and the importance of having good "information hygien...

Disney Aladdin on Broadway Star Michael James Scott

December 10, 2020 09:30 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

Michael James Scott has performed in Broadway shows like The Book of Mormon and Elf, but he is best known as Genie from Disney's Aladdin on Broadway, having played that role on Broadway, in the West End, in Australia, and touring North America. He joins Heath to discuss his new Christmas album "A Fierce Christmas," which calls on his gospel roots and mixes in Broadway and funk, his upcoming socially distanced outdoor concert, and his time playing Tigger and the Queen of Hearts at Walt Disne...

Journalist and Entrepreneur Maria Hinojosa

December 07, 2020 09:30 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

Maria Hinojosa's journalism career has included working for NPR, PBS, CBS, CNN, hosting NPR's Latino USA for more than two decades, and cohosting the podcast In The Thick. Maria joins Heath to recount her personal experience surviving COVID-19 this spring, how she has witnessed the situation at immigration detention camps deteriorate since the first reporting on them in the 1980s, and the challenges and rewards of founding her media company Futuro Media. Maria's new memoir is Once I Was Yo...

The Young and the Restless Star Melody Thomas Scott

December 03, 2020 09:30 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MB

For 41 years, Melody Thomas Scott has played the iconic Nikki Newman on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. Melody joins Heath to discuss going back to work this summer after being shut down for the spring, the challenges and rewards of working on a soap opera for such a long time, and how she dealt with the abuse she suffered as a child actor. Nikki has a new memoir titled Always Young and Restless: My Life On and Off America's #1 Daytime Drama.

HGTV's Mike Holmes

November 30, 2020 09:30 - 52 minutes - 48.7 MB

Mike Holmes has been making home improvement television in Canada and the U.S. for nearly 20 years, including shows like Holmes on Homes, Holmes and Holmes, and Holmes Makes It Right. He joins Heath to discuss renovating houses and making television during the pandemic, finding a reputable contractor, the dire labor shortages happening in the construction industry, and ways that he thinks our homes can be healthier and more sustainable.

Legendary Animator and Director Glen Keane

November 23, 2020 09:30 - 53 minutes - 49.8 MB

Glen Keane spent nearly 37 years working at Disney as an animator before venturing out on his own in 2012. The first feature that he directed, Over the Moon, recently premiered on Netflix. Glen talks with Heath about finishing that film remotely, honoring screenwriter Audrey Wells, who died during production, and finding his voice as a director. He also discusses working with Kobe Bryant on an Oscar winning short, training under Walt Disney's Nine Old Men, and creating iconic characters l...

Documentary Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer

November 19, 2020 09:30 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

Matt Tyrnauer is a documentary producer and director whose latest project is The Reagans, a four part docuseries now airing on Showtime that takes a critical look at the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. He talks with Heath about why he wanted to reexamine the Reagan era and the parallels that he finds to our current political moment. He also discusses some of the technical challenges of producing this film, much of which was shot and edited during quarantine.

Musician Brad Brooks

November 16, 2020 09:30 - 48 minutes - 45 MB

Oakland based Brad Brooks has a new album, God Save the City, that looks back at his recent experience surviving throat cancer. Brad talks with Heath about the songs that were recorded before treatment and how they differ from those post-treatment, plus why he's not afraid to get political in his music, and how he approaches songwriting.

Young Country Singer/Songwriter Leah Belle Faser

November 12, 2020 09:30 - 46 minutes - 43.4 MB

At age 16, Atlanta native Leah Belle Faser is already writing and recording country songs with heart and depth. She talks to Heath about recording her new album Crossing Hermi's Bridge in May under strict COVID protocols, how she approaches songwriting, and the vulnerability that comes from writing such intimate music and then releasing it into the world without knowing how people will react.

Young Broadway Composer, Singer, Actor Joshua Turchin

November 09, 2020 09:30 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MB

Joshua Turchin is already a multi-hyphenate at the age of 14: composer, musician, singer, dancer, actor, and talk show host. He talks to Heath about the musical he composed called The Perfect Fit, which debuted at a theatre festival last year and will be streamed as a live concert from New World Stages on November 15. He also discusses the talk show he hosts, The Early Night Show, ways that he has had to adapt to COVID, meeting Alan Menken, and what he loves about Disneyland.

What Girls Need Author Marisa Porges

November 05, 2020 09:30 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MB

Dr. Marisa Porges has had a diverse career, starting by serving as one of only a handful of female fighter pilots in the Navy, working in counterterrorism in the Obama White House, and now leading The Baldwin School outside of Philadelphia. She and Heath discuss her new book What Girls Need: How to Raise Bold, Courageous, and Resilient Women. In it, she offers personal anecdotes and practical advice for setting up our young daughters for success in today's world.

Actor, Comedian, Author Michael Ian Black

November 02, 2020 09:30 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MB

Michael Ian Black is known for his dry comedy style and for acting in movies like Wet Hot American Summer. His latest book, A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, looks at the evolving definition of masculinity. Michael and Heath discuss the differing approaches to projecting manhood between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, how to discuss topics like consent and intimacy with young boys, and why gender privilege can never be considered fully in isolation without also looking at race...

Comedy Legend and Author Merrill Markoe

October 29, 2020 08:30 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MB

Merrill Markoe is an Emmy Award winning comedy writer, co-creator and head writer of Late Night with David Letterman, and an acclaimed author. She joins Heath to discuss her new graphic memoir We Saw Scenery, which she both wrote and illustrated. It tells the story of her adolescence through her diary entries of the time. She also discusses her time at The Comedy Store, working with and dating David Letterman, and her experience at some of the major cultural events of the 1960s.

Singer/Songwriter Will Kimbrough

October 26, 2020 08:30 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MB

Will Kimbrough is a songwriter, musician, performer, and music producer based in Nashville. He talks with Heath about his 17 years writing songs for Jimmy Buffet, the albums that first hooked him on being a musician, and how he has stayed creative despite not being able to tour. Will also discusses the inspiration behind the songs on his new album Spring Break, which was all recorded at home during the pandemic.

Culture Warlords Author Talia Lavin

October 22, 2020 08:30 - 53 minutes - 49.8 MB

Journalist Talia Lavin has written for The New Yorker, New Republic, and the Village Voice. Her new book Culture Warlords takes a deep dive into the online world of white supremacists. She talks with Heath about what made her want to explore this movement, what she learned lurking and sometimes participating in far right forums, and why she thinks it's important for all of us to take action against racism, antisemitism, and misogyny.

Seattle Broadcaster Turned Builder Scott Carty

October 19, 2020 08:30 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MB

Scott Carty is a Seattle based broadcaster on radio and TV, who became known for conducting interviews with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but he left broadcasting at the start of the pandemic and has turned his energy towards building with his new venture, Backspace Sheds. Scott talks with Heath about his own path into media, behind the scenes stories from interviewing big stars, his move to Christian radio, and why he decided to become a builder. Scott hosts the podcast The Scot...

Willoughby Hills with Heath Racela

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