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Zoro, the renowned drummer born Daniel Donnelly, is the latest guest on The Staffa Corner Podcast.
Zoro’s impressive career includes performances alongside notable talents such as Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and New Edition. With such a diverse musical background, it’s no wonder Zoro has captivating stories to share.
However, on today’s podcast episode, he takes a more personal route by discussing his new book, “Maria’s Scarf”.
“Maria’s Scarf” is a heartwarming memoir that delves into Zoro’s relationship with his mother. As a single parent, Maria raised seven children on her own, and her resilience and love left a lasting impact on Zoro. The book promises to be a touching exploration of family bonds, sacrifice, and the power of maternal love.
If you’re interested in heartfelt stories, keep an eye out for its release on April 30th wherever books are sold. -
One reason I created The Staffa Corner podcast is because we’ve witnessed a decline in our ability to engage in thoughtful debates and maintain civil discussions. When someone disagrees with us, our reflex is often defensiveness.
As a TV/film critic, it is easy to write a negative review, post it, and swiftly move on to the next critique.
Recently, I had the opportunity to screen Switch Up, which premiered today at SXSW. Although there were several positive aspects, my thoughts on the film leaned toward the negative. Let’s face it—we tend to gravitate toward criticism. When I had the chance to have the film’s director, Tara Pirnia, on the podcast, I eagerly accepted.
We engaged civilly during our 45-minute conversation, and I enjoyed talking to her. Did Tara concede her mistakes and align with my perspective? No, but that wasn’t the goal. Sometimes, a civil disagreement doesn’t alter viewpoints. Instead, it fosters a deeper understanding of differing opinions.
I sincerely appreciate Tara’s willingness to join the podcast, especially considering it was recorded just 24 hours before the release of her first feature film.
Switch Up premiered at SXSW March 10, 2024 and will likely be making the film festival rounds. You can read my review here. -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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What amazes me about doing a podcast is that most people agree to come on and do it in their free time. I sincerely respect that, even when nothing seems to go as planned.
This episode is one of those as the entertaining comedian Victoria Jackson joins The Staffa Corner Podcast. Little did I know she was having her guest bathroom remodeled, forcing her to interview from inside her car.
Usually, I’d edit out all the commotion, but she suggested we leave it in.
I enjoyed talking to such a comedic talent, having appeared in 109 episodes of Saturday Night Live. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.
Learn more about Victoria by checking out her website at https://victoriajackson.com -
October 23 marked the 14th anniversary of the USA Network series White Collar premiere. The crime drama starred Matt Bomer as talented con man Neal Caffrey. To avoid returning to prison, Caffrey strikes a deal with the FBI to work for them as a consultant.
The series was created by Jeff Eastin, with the pilot directed by Bronwen Hughes. The series would go on to run for six seasons.
Those familiar with my own story know the part White Collar had on me during some difficult times. I am incredibly grateful to Bronwen for taking time out of her busy schedule to come on The Staffa Corner Podcast.
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Growing up, one of my favorite movies was the 1988 film Young Guns, followed by the sequel Young Guns II in 1990. The film starred Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid.
What I loved about the film was it got me to want to learn more about the real-life characters and the history surrounding the Lincoln County War. Through the years, I've made four trips to visit various sites and final resting places of several key figures.
When a series about Billy the Kid was announced starring Tom Blyth as Billy, I was immediately on board. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed as season one tells the story of young Henry McCarty, a.k.a. Billy the Kid. The second season, which is currently airing, centers around the Lincoln County War.
I absolutely love the series' look, so who better to have on than the Set Designer for the show, Evan Spence? Having worked on projects like Fraggle Rock, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Fargo, and others, I was fascinated listening to him talk about what brought Billy the Kid to life.
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My guest this episode is 17-year-old actress Mallory James Mahoney from Disney Channel’s comedy series, This season Mallory’s character has shifted from camper to camp counselor.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Mallory became interested in acting at a very young age. At eight years old, Mallory decided she wanted to try acting in TV/film and ended up landing her very first audition. She has appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie, "Adventures in Babysitting,” the short film, "Dig," and the 2016 Lifetime holiday movie, "Heaven Sent.”
“BUNK’D.” Currently airs every Friday on the Disney Channel.
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Joining me for this episode of The Staffa Corner is Christina Fon, the producer of Mohawk Girls, along with one of the series stars, Brittany LeBorgne, who plays the sexually curious Zoe. Running for five seasons from 2014-2017, the Canadian series that premiered on OMNI Television is finding new life in the U.S. on the Peacock streaming service.
Developed by Tracey Deer and based on her 2005 documentary of the same name, Mohawk Girls is often described as “Sex in the City for Indigenous People.” The series follows the lives of Bailey (Jennifer Pudavick), Caitlin (Heather White), Zoe, and Anna (Maika Harper) as they navigate the ups and downs of life as a young women living on the Mohawk reserve of Kahnawake near Montreal.
Full disclosure, until days before the interview I’d never heard of the series. Initially, I had reservations, wondering if a show about four indigenous women in their 20s would have much entertainment value for an old white guy in his mid 40s. As I watched the first two seasons prior to the interview, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the series.
One of the things I found interesting was the subject of sexuality and the parallels it has to the girls' lives. Zoe, especially as she explores her sexuality, feels the pressure of how her community and even friends might judge her if they learned her secrets. As much as the show deals with sexual topics, it’s not at all gratuitous.
My biggest disappointment is realizing a white man crushing on Zoe and Bailey wouldn’t get very far with either of them because it’s frowned upon in their culture.
There’s an interesting cultural mix as many Mohawk traditions are kept while living in this modern world. As a viewer, you get to learn about the culture without it feeing forced,
While it likely wouldn’t have been on my radar had it not been for my podcast, Mohawk Girls is an entertaining show. Some of the infighting and bitchiness does take some getting used to but the characters treat their attitude almost like a game. Overall, I enjoyed learning about an indigenous group I was not aware of.
I want to thank Christine and Brittany for coming on The Staffa Corner Podcast and can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Zoe gets into during the rest of the series.
Check out Mohawk Girls on Peacock.
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Joining me on this episode of The Staffa Corner is talented actor William “Bill” Sadler. Bill has appeared in films like Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Iron Man 3, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and more. He has countless TV appearances including Roswell, White Collar, The Blacklist, and one of my favorites, God Friended Me.
Despite interviewing countless celebrities, I fully admit I was nervous about recording this episode. Not because Bill’s a Hollywood icon but because in the 27 years since Shawshank Redemption first premiered, he has been asked every possible question about the movie repeatedly. As much as I love the film, there wasn’t anything new I could bring to the discussion. And yet, I really wanted to talk about Shawshank Redemption.
Thankfully, Bill was nothing but an absolute pleasure to interview. I was captivated by his stories involving many of the films I’ve grown to love. From learning how he developed his character Death for Bill and Ted, to events that led to the casting of some of his iconic roles, I was fascinated. I was especially inspired when listening to him talk about being willing to ask questions and take chances on things.
To my delight, Bill was more than willing to talk about Shawshank Redemption. It was an honor discussing the film with a star of perhaps the best film of my lifetime. We dove deeper by talking about the lasting impact, as well as how young people like YouTube influencer Natalie Gold are discovering the film for the first time and posting their reactions online.
Listening to Bill discuss his upcoming film A Stage of Twilight is riveting. The film doesn’t come out until 2023 but the passion in his voice makes me eager to check it out. Perhaps our paths will cross again at some point, maybe a film festival premiere.
A sincere thanks to Bill for joining me on The Staffa Corner, as well as Karina Hjorth who helped connect the two of us -
In 2014, I took part in a press call with Brandon Jay McLaren, one of the stars of the hit USA Network series Graceland. During the interview (found here) I let him know while I enjoyed his performance as U.S. Customs agent Dale Jakes I was frustrated with how little screen time he was getting. He assured me a major shift for Jakes was coming. Thankfully, he was right.
Fast forward to 2021, Disney announces Turner & Hooch, a follow-up series to the classic Tom Hanks film of the same name. Airing weekly on Disney+ the series stars Josh Peck as Scott Turner, Matt Hamilton as Trent Havelock, and McLaren as US Marshal Xavier Watkins. When I heard the news, I was excited to see what the series had to offer. As much as I enjoy the series I found myself with a familiar question - why isn’t there more of McLaren?
So who better to ask than the Canadian-born actor himself. I reached out to McLaren and he was gracious enough to come on The Staffa Corner to talk about the series and my concerns, as well as his career. Once again McLaren put me at ease by assuring me this is only the beginning for his character.
With my concerns appeased I welcomed the chance to catch up with the talented actor. Talking to McLaren is a delight as he sincerely discussed how fortunate he’s been in his career. I especially appreciated hearing the cautious approach he took when offered the role of the Red Ranger on Power Rangers S.P.D.
I’m beyond excited to learn he’s joining ABC’s The Rookie for a multi-episode storyline. Having played various types of law enforcement characters I’m excited to see him on the other side of the law.
I sincerely appreciate McLaren taking the time out of his busy schedule to join me on The Staffa Corner. Hopefully, it won’t be another seven years before our next interview.
To find out more about Reach Within, a charity close to McLaren’s heart, you can visit their website here.
You can also check out Turner & Hooch every Wednesday on Disney+.
Finally, be sure to check out my interview with McLaren’s Turner & Hooch costar Matt Hamilton here. -
Matt Hamilton is a talented award-winning actor, having appeared on shows like Arrow and Supernatural as well as countless TV movies including A Wedding to Remember, Holiday Hearts, and The Dating List. His latest project is the new series Turner & Hooch on Disney+. The series isn’t a reboot of the classic 1989 comedy of the same name starring Tom Hanks, but rather a continuation of the story years later.
Matt plays Senior Deputy Marshal in the series which stars Josh Peck (Scott Turner). While Matt’s character Trent loves being in the spotlight and taking down criminals, the thing he isn’t fond of is dogs. In addition to Matt and Josh, the series stars Lyndy Fonseca, Carra Petterson, and Anthony Ruivivar, just to name a few.
It’s always fun talking to an actor before a series premieres because their answers are raw. They aren’t playing off what critics have said or the latest Twitter buzz.Their comments are totally unfiltered. You can hear the sense of pride in Matt’s voice as he describes a fight scene he shot for episode nine.
One of the things I couldn’t help but notice is most, if not all, of Matt’s work has been done in and around Vancouver, the same area wherehe grew up and went to college. While that part of Canada is a hotspot for the television and film industries. I wondered if as an actor the area had become a security blanket of sorts and was surprised by his response.
I enjoyed my conversation with Matt and hope the success of Turner & Hooch leads to bigger and better opportunities for. Perhaps some producers will take notice of him and his writings. -
My guest this episode is the talented dancer and actress Michelle Mitchenor. She’s performed with names like Rihanna and Beyonce but is best known for her role as Detective Sonya Bailey on the Fox series Lethal Weapon. Mitchenor can be seen next on the second season of BET+'s hit series The First Wives Club premiering on July 15.
Based on the 1996 comedy film starring Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler, the reboot series stars Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jill Scott, and Michelle Buteau. Mitchenor joins the cast as Jayla, a sorority sister of the women on the show who went on to become an attorney.
As Mitchenor is relatively new to acting, it’s fascinating to hear how she made the transition from dancing and how that hard work has helped her become a better actress. Hopefully, the series will allow her to show off some dance moves.
One of the things I found insightful while talking to Mitchenor was our discussion about TV viewing, especially when it comes to race.
Shows like Dr. Ken, Fresh off the Boat, and The First Wives Club can easily be described as an Asian or Black series. But there’s so much more to them than the color of their skin. Someone like actress Brie Larson might have had good intentions in mind when she said she didn’t care what a white man had to say about a particular film. But that mindset does more harm than good because we all should be open to shows outside of our norm.
With so many shows on so many platforms, it has become easy to dismiss a series assuming it’s not aimed at you. To have the mindset of loving The First Wives Club movie but then assume the series is not for you after learning it is on BET+. Many people talk about the importance of inclusivity and diversity in our daily lives yet dismiss it when it comes to our viewing habits.
And it’s not just about race. When Disney+ came out with Big Shot starring John Stamos, there was a part of me that wanted to dismiss this show about a girls’ high school basketball team. Turns out Big Shot is one of my favorite streaming shows of the year. Not to mention cast member Yvette Nicole Brown who gives one of my favorite performances of hers.
Good writing and good characters should be colorblind. Make me laugh and I don’t care what race or background you are. It would be easy to dismiss Big Shot and yet I lost track of how many times the show had me in tears thanks to strong writing and a great cast. With that said I hope more people give The First Wives Club a chance.
Wrapping things up, it was wonderful to hear the passion in Michelle’s voice talking about The Mitchenor Foundation, a charity she started to provide visual and performing arts education courses for children in under-served communities. I enjoyed hearing about the Foundation’s recent work on Skid Row in California.
I sincerely appreciate talking to Mitchenor and hope you check out season two of The First Wives Club on July 15 on BET+ especially if you are a fan of the movie.
One last comment on what Brie Larson and others have said about critics. She’s right in some sense; there does need to be more diversity with critics but not at the detriment of calling out others due to their race. Speaking as someone who literally went from homeless to writing hundreds of reviews and interviewing countless celebrities, I proudly stand by my reviews as being fair and honest. Frankly, that's how everyone should be judged— by the quality of their work and how they treat others.
I again thank Michelle Mitchenor for partaking in this meaningful discussion and coming on The Staffa Corner.
**Clarification - a couple of times during our conversation I referred to the Disney+ series as Big Shots&a
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Labeled a rock prodigy at the age of 14 years old, Kjersti Long has already made a name for herself. Writing her first song Rollercoaster at the age of 9, the talented songwriter and singer was headlining at the iconic rock club The Bitter End in New York City by the time she turned 11. She’s performed at such notable venues as The Apollo and House of Blues. Recently she released her first single Not Your Princess.
During our conversation, it didn’t take long for me to be impressed by the maturity of this young woman. Not only does she have a good head on her shoulders, but she’s also wildly entertaining to listen to. I couldn’t help but laugh at her story of how her single Not Your Princess came to be. Just from talking to Kjersti, it’s clear she’s a gifted storyteller and I’m excited to hear her talent in future songs.
It’s refreshing to learn someone with her gifts wants to use them to empower other young women. She realizes her battles with anxiety are nothing to be ashamed of. Despite the age gap, I found her stories relatable on a human level. Frankly, many adults could learn a thing or two from this rising star,
As much as I enjoyed talking to this singing prodigy, I was initially hesitant. It had nothing to do with Kjersti but how we as adults treat kids these days. We become dismissive when a teen experiences heartbreak. Rather than being supportive we often impose reality checks, especially when young adults talk about hopes and dreams. I found myself very self-aware as to not mention my own experiences to her. Just because I had no clue what I wanted out of life at 14 doesn’t mean she doesn’t. And let’s be honest, after listening to Kjersti, it’s clear her maturity is well beyond what mine was at that age.
I, for one, look forward to following Kjersti’s career and seeing what becomes of this young musician. She has a talented future ahead of her, not just in her music but also as an inspiration and role model for young women everywhere.
After listening to this episode of The Staffa Corner, you can check out some of Kjersti’s music below.
Music Video: https://vimeo.com/529973441/a0045d2abb
Performance Video: https://vimeo.com/529973434/33fb3732f8
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Growing up, Haitian-American Bechir Sylvain always figured he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become a lawyer. That was until his high school drama teacher suggested acting was his true calling.
Now with over 30 TV and film credits, Bechir is living the American dream as a rising Hollywood star. He currently can be seen on TNT’s Claws and BET+’s Bigger. On June 17, he will appear in episode 5 of the Netflix series Black Summer.
What struck me about talking to the talented actor is his reverence for the mentors in his life. From his father, teachers, and industry insiders, Bechir has been surrounded by people who have been instrumental in shaping his life. He has a profound respect for these people that I found refreshing.
Recognizing Bechir as a Haitian fluent in French, Creole, and English, there are not many like him in the industry. His effort to represent his fellow Haitians proudly, as well as finding ways to share more of his culture and heritage on screen, is to be commended.
One thing that has greatly impacted his life is the loss of his wife Shannon due to cancer. I wanted to give Bechir a chance to openly discuss anything he wanted on the topic as a way to honor his wife. While the topic isn’t fun to discuss I hope you listen to his heartfelt and impactful words.
Be sure to check out Bechir on TNT’s hit series Claws, BET+’s Bigger, which is currently streaming season 2, and on episode five of Netflix’s series Black Summer, which drops June
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Married with two children, Grady Cooper was living the dream. Not only was he a loving family man, but he was also a successful TV editor having worked on shows like Survivor, Wilfred, The League, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and more. Then, in 2015 everything changed when Jane, his wife of 20 years, died of brain cancer.
Along with his daughters Audrey and Ellen, Grady faced a new reality as a single father. As time passed, he explored the possibility of dating again and found it to be an entirely different world from the last time he dated some 20 years ago. After sharing tales of his escapades with friends like Marvel’s Ant-man director Peyton Reed,they realized there was a potential comedy series in his stories. It wasn’t long until The Unicorn, starring Walton Goggins as Wade Felton, was born. The show would run for two seasons before getting canceled earlier this month.
It’s fascinating to listen to Grady talk about finding the comedy in tragedy while being respectful to his wife’s memory. I hadn’t known Goggins had lost his first wife to suicide and was surprised to hear how instrumental he was in assembling the talented and diverse cast.
One of the things I love about doing this podcast is seeing the human side of people like Peyton. We instantly associate himwith blockbuster films yet rarely think of his compassionate side in comforting a friend over the loss of his wife. I don’t know about you but I gained a lot of respect for the director hearing how he and others were there for Grady. As much as the series and Grady’s story is about moving forward after losing a loved one, it’s really about friendship.
It was a pleasure listening to Grady share his story especially on the heels of The Unicorn getting canceled. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did, -
At 14 years of age Clark Furlong is just getting started in what appears to be a very successful career in Hollywood. Best known for his portrayal of young Jules, a transgendered woman on the hit HBO series Euphoria,Clark has also appeared on shows like The Prodigal Son, The Rookie, and High Fidelity.
The talented young actor will next be seen on the new Apple+ series Lisey’s Story based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King and adapted by King. In addition to Clark, the series stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and many others
Right off the bat, I was impressed by Clark’s maturity. I got the sense the young man was aware of the struggles faced by childhood actors and was doing all he could to stay grounded. Taking care of his family’s chickens, goats, and donkeys on the family farm in Virginia seems just as important to him as a television role.
While this episode is a celebration of Clark’s work, a special shout-out goes out to his mother. Parents have a hard enough time getting kids to soccer practice at the local park, yet his mother drives him several hours to auditions and meetings with studio executives. Even more importantly, listening to Clark gave methe sense he truly appreciates the sacrifices made by his family as he pursues a career in acting.
It’s hard not to root for this young man and I look forward to seeing where his career takes him. Hopefully, we will see more of Clark on television and film for years to come,
Lisey's Story premieres on June 4 on Apple+ -
Jason Headley is a talented writer, director, and author. He recently co-wrote the Pixar film Onward featuring the voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, and is currently working on another yet to be announced Pixar film.
I met director Jason Headley in 2017 during South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. He was premiering his film A Bad Idea Gone Wrong starring Matt Jones, Will Rogers, and Eleanore Pienta. The comedy would go on to win a special jury award for best ensemble at the film festival. As I explain in this episode, It was a meeting that almost didn’t happen.
Despite all the pressures of attending SXSW and promoting a film, there was a peacefulness to Headley’s personality that I found captivating. His demeanor wasn’t what I expected from a Hollywood director. In a touching moment when posing for a photo, Pienta laid her head on Headley's shoulder. It was clear he created a comfortable environment for those around him. Perhaps it’s no surprise Headley wrote a self-help book titled F*ck That: An Honest Meditation.
Having loved the film and the corresponding interview, I continued to follow Headley’s career and was thrilled when it was announced he had co-written the Pixar film Onward. Unfortunately, the film’s release date of March 6, 2020 was the start of major events started shutting down due to Covid-19. The theatrical release was short-lived and by April 3 the film was available on Disney+. Thankfully, Headley is working on another project for Pixar and I can’t wait to learn more about this unannounced film.
Jason Headley is one of the nicest people I’ve had a chance to interview. And we’ve stayed in touch via social media in the years since. Early on I knew he was someone I wanted to have on The Staffa Corner. I am thrilled for his continued success and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
You can check out his film A Bad Idea Gone Wrong here on Amazon Prime . His book F*ck That: An Honest Meditation is also available here on Amazon while Pixar’s Onward can be streamed on Disney+. You can check out my review of A Bad Idea Gone Wrong and interview here. -
Andrene Ward-Hammond in many ways is the reason I decided to launch The Staffa Corner. As talented as the actress is having appeared on shows like Star, Atlanta, Manifest, and Your Honor, it’s her story of the events that led to her becoming an actress I find fascinating.
Perhaps it’s because I find a lot of similarities between her story and mine. About 14 years ago we both faced life-changing medical setbacks. Mine was a severe work injury and hers was the discovery of a tumor. Living in the United States, we both had certain assumptions of the type of care we would be given. We were both in for a rude awakening. At one point we were both told our lives would have to get worse before those we relied on would be able to help us. That our situation was bad, but not bad enough to qualify for help. It was a shocking revelation as we both were faced with a difficult decision. Thankfully, we both chose to move forward and came out stronger because of it.
It’s Andrene’s determination that leads to her success in acting. Starring in some of the top shows on television, it’s difficult to imagine there isn’t anything Andrene can’t accomplish when she puts her mind to it.
It’s hard not to be inspired listening to Andrene tell her story. Even with all of her recent success you can hear the caution in her voice knowing it can just as be easily taken away. It’s that mindset that makes her appreciate her successes while being mindful of the past.
Regardless of what her passion might have been, I applaud Andrene’s hard work and dedication. I know all too well how easy it is to want to throw the towel in and give up when life deals you a major setback. It’s what one does next that will define them.
Andrene’s story is a result of hard work and determination that deserves our admiration. Her future is bright and it will be exciting to follow her career. -
It was hard holding back my excitement when the opportunity to have Alicia Coppola on The Staffa Corner podcast came up. She’s one of those actresses who blends into a role so while her name isn’t easily recognizable, her face is. I have admired her and her career for years.
The talented actress has appeared on shows like NYPD Blue, Touched By an Angel, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ally McBeal, Crossing Jordan, Jericho, and Why Women Kill, just to name a few. She’s also appeared in one of my favorite films, National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
As much as I enjoy talking to celebrities about being a part of shows I love, it’s getting to know them on a personal level that fascinates me. So much about Hollywood is glitz and glamor that hearing Alicia talk about watching TV while folding several loads of laundry almost seems unusual.
Too often we allow our job or status in life to define who we are. And yet from the homeless man panhandling, to the Hollywood star, we all have a story to be heard. This philosophy is what led to Alicia’s latest endeavor, launching a podcast called Bootstrap Bitch.
The newly launched podcast aims at sharing stories of people who have overcome setbacks in life and how they accomplished it. Guests include actor Timothy Omundson who suffered a major stroke in 2017 and has made a triumphant return to acting as he continues to recover. It’s an inspiring podcast worth checking out - after listening to this episode, of course.
It’s with sincere thanks and appreciation to Alicia for agreeing to join me on The Staffa Corner. She is such an amazing talent, not just as an actress but as a mother, wife, and person. Frankly, I could listen to her tell stories over coffee for hours. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do.
Alicia can be seen on the upcoming HBO Max series Generation premiering March 11 on the streaming service. You also can check out Bootstrap Bitch on Apple Podcasts or by clicking here. - Visa fler
