Finding Your Bliss

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by award-winning musical theatre star Barbara Barsky, one of the most outstanding musical theatre talents in this country. She’s here to talk about her illustrious career, her longtime marriage and partnership with Marek Norman and her inspirational new show "Dancer", which is currently running at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Some of Barbara’s impressive credits include Berthe in "Boeing Boeing" (Persephone Theatre), Mme Thenardier in "Les Miz", Miss Andrew in "Mary Poppins" for which she received a Saataward nomination (WCT), Mama Rose in "Gypsy" (The Arts Club), Penelope Pennywise in "Urinetown" for which she received a Jessie Award nomination, Maria Callas in "Masterclass", Golde in Susan H. Schulman’s "Fiddler on the Roof", "Wanderlust", "Henry V" and "Patience" (Stratford Festival), Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" (Livent), Charlotte in "Larry’s Party" (CanStage, NAC, MTC) and Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd". Barbara has received seven Dora Award nominations for "Closer Than Ever", "Forbidden Broadway", "Chutzpah a Go Go", "Snappy Tales", "Assassins" and "A New Brain" (The Musical Stage Company). She co-produced with her husband Marek Norman, the original Canadian production of "Assassins" which garnered five Dora awards, including Best Production. She was also a member of the legendary Second City Company with Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara, and was co-founder of Reprise Concerts, great musicals in concert. She has appeared in multiple TV shows culminating in an Actra Award nomination for her work in "Clowns", plus a Tyrone Guthrie Award. A special thank you to theatre critic, esteemed director, actor and lyricist Richard Ouzounian for his excellent help with the research and insight into this interview with Barbara Barsky about her life and career. As well, a special thanks to Yanoush from the Toronto Metro Reference Library for his help with some additional articles as well. Barbara Barsky sings two gorgeous songs on the program, which you can listen to at the following links: https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/broadway-baby-cover-by-barbara-barsky?si=ef3ddd69a2884e0bb9054bcb5d737911&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/little-lost-lives-performed-by-barbara-barsky?si=57b7c702affe4713b9e1249d5d8c60d6&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by some fabulously talented couples who also have great love stories – musicians Ofra Harnoy and Mike Herriott, and Living Luxe Magazine Publisher and COO, Jennifer Lipkowitz and Anthony Sirianni! Ofra Harnoy has established herself as one of the great cellists on the world’s concert stage. She is one of Canada’s most celebrated personalities and is a Member of the Order of Canada. By joining the international artist's roster of RCA Victor Red Seal in 1987, Ms. Harnoy became the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glenn Gould to gain an exclusive worldwide contract with a major record label. She has toured extensively in Europe, the Far East, Australia and the Americas, and has performed with many of the top orchestras and most noteworthy conductors of our time. Her career has brought her 5 JUNO Awards (Canada), the Grand Prix du Disque, and Critics Choice Awards from a number of international magazines. Ofra Harnoy was once named by Maclean’s Magazine as one of the 12 Canadians in all fields who bring the most credit to their country. Canadian trumpeter, Mike Herriott, a respected multi-instrumentalist in both the classical and jazz genres, is in demand as a lead trumpeter, jazz improviser, orchestral soloist, bassist, arranger and composer. He has toured extensively through North America and South East Asia and has shared the stage with a host of luminaries, including Maynard Ferguson, Rob McConnell, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Bublé, Slide Hampton, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Nimmons, Maria Schneider, Seth MacFarlane and more. Mike has several recordings under his own name, and with New York-based guitarist Sean Harkness in the Harkness-Herriott Duo (H2). November 2013, brought the release of the Mike Herriott solo CD entitled Off the Road, featuring Mike on a variety of musical instruments and including special guest, 10-time Grammy winner, Arturo Sandoval. His solo album, "Isn’t Life Grand", is Mike’s 7th recording as a leader/composer/multi-instrumentalist and was released in 2016. In June of 2019, Ofra and Mike married, and now collaborate for live performances and recordings. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they recorded and released their second album together, "On the Rock", a celebration of the music of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Portrait" marks the third album collaboration between Ofra and Mike. To listen to Mike and Ofra's beautiful songs "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So", you can go to the following link: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/portrait/1663667165 Also on the program, we have Living Luxe Magazine's, Jennifer Lipkowitz and Anthony Sirianni! Jennifer is the publisher of Living Luxe, a high-end design and lifestyle magazine on newsstands across the province of Ontario. She is also the co-founder of the Living Luxe Media Group. Before launching the magazine in 2019, Jennifer spent a decade as the chief operating officer of a well-respected Toronto-based publication and was a driving force when the magazine expanded across Canada and into Florida. She exited the publication to explore new opportunities — the creation of Living Luxe is the result of her work in the publishing community and the building and design industries. Jennifer is very passionate about philanthropy and giving back, and participates in many fundraising events in the city. In 2022, she was the co-chair of LivingLuxe’s first-ever charity initiative, City Couture — an event that benefitted Toronto’s SickKids. When she isn’t busy running two successful companies with her stellar team, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her two children, her family and friends. Anthony Sirianni is the chief operating officer of Living Luxe magazine, a high-end design and lifestyle magazine on newsstands across the province. He is also the co-founder of the Living Luxe Media Group. Prior to stepping into the world of magazines and launching Living Luxe, Anthony was a leader in the management and operation of several companies, working to improve their strategy execution and maximize their overall performance. He brings these exceptional skills to the magazine and media company and acts as a visionary when it comes to the brand’s growth and goals. For instance, Anthony initiated the first-ever Living Luxe Design Expo, a successful event showcasing some of the city’s top design and decor businesses. While Living Luxe is his current priority, a key milestone for him was in 2011, when he fulfilled one of his childhood dreams and became a certified firefighter in Texas. Anthony loves spending time with his daughter, hanging out with his family and friends, working out, golfing and vacationing. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by actress and author, Tina Sloan! Tina has appeared in many films. Woody Allen’s "Celebrity" and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion", "The Brave One" with Jodi Foster, "Changing Lanes" with Ben Affleck, "The Guru" with Marisa Tomei, "People I Know" with Al Pacino, "Black Swan" with Natalie Portman and "The Post" with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. On television, Tina played Lillian Raines on the soap opera "Guiding Light" for 26 years and for ten years before that, Tina was on the soaps "Somerset", "Search for Tomorrow", and "Another World". She has also been on "Law & Order, SVU" and "Third Watch". The release of her first book, "Changing Shoes" coincided with the one-woman show she wrote, also called "Changing Shoes". It opened in New York, and she performed it across the United States and in London, England. Tina is currently doing several web series, "Venice the Series" and "Beacon Hill the Series", as well as speaking engagements. Her first novel "Chasing Cleopatra" is a page-turner that has won several awards, followed by the second book in the series "Chasing Othello", and she just finished the third book in the series. As well, a movie is in the works in Honolulu based on the book "Chasing Cleopatra". Tina lives in Florida with her husband of 48 years. They love to travel the world and they especially love to visit their son Renny, who lives in Nashville with his wife and 3 children. Tina has run eight marathons and climbed two 20,000-foot peaks in Africa and Nepal. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by actress and author, Tina Sloan! Tina has appeared in many films. Woody AllenÂs "Celebrity" and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion", "The Brave One" with Jodi Foster, "Changing Lanes" with Ben Affleck, "The Guru" with Marisa Tomei, "People I Know" with Al Pacino, "Black Swan" with Natalie Portman and "The Post" with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. On television, Tina played Lillian Raines on the soap opera "Guiding Light" for 26 years and for ten years before that, Tina was on the soaps "Somerset", "Search for Tomorrow", and "Another World". She has also been on "Law & Order, SVU" and "Third Watch". The release of her first book, "Changing Shoes" coincided with the one-woman show she wrote, also called "Changing Shoes". It opened in New York, and she performed it across the United States and in London, England. Tina is currently doing several web series, "Venice the Series" and "Beacon Hill the Series", as well as speaking engagements. Her first novel "Chasing Cleopatra" is a page-turner that has won several awards, followed by the second book in the series "Chasing Othello", and she just finished the third book in the series. As well, a movie is in the works in Honolulu based on the book "Chasing Cleopatra". Tina lives in Florida with her husband of 48 years. They love to travel the world and they especially love to visit their son Renny, who lives in Nashville with his wife and 3 children. Tina has run eight marathons and climbed two 20,000-foot peaks in Africa and Nepal. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by the co-author of "Gently Down This Dream", Gayle Prather! "Gently Down This Dream" is a book for those who are tired of striving and suffering and want to awaken to the peace and love that are within us all. When bestselling author Hugh Prather completed this book in 2010, he gave it to his wife and writing partner, Gayle, to shape and edit. He died the next day. The book’s essays, poems and aphorisms, born out of a lifetime of contemplative practice and counselling work, make for a loving PS to his millions of fans and a winning introduction to his beautiful mind for new fans to come. Its bravely self-revelatory, relentlessly compassionate words, lovingly curated by his longtime partner and collaborator, deliver spiritual insights that are perfect for the divisive times we live in. "Gently Down This Dream" presents the self-improvement practices that served Hugh and Gayle in their long life together. It includes all the lessons they learned and later taught. The Prathers’ fresh, authentic humour, comfort and wisdom, articulate a way through what can often seem the prison of the self, offering a reliable means for navigating a world that sometimes feels out of control, and a path to love. In 1970, Hugh Prather turned his diary into a self-help guide called "Notes to Myself", which sold nearly 8 million copies worldwide and generated countless imitations. His work inspired thousands of people to become diarists and start examining their own lives. Hugh and his wife, Gayle Prather, later co-wrote a series of advice books for couples. Hugh died in 2010 in Tucson, Arizona, where Gayle lived for many years, and sadly, she also passed away in May of this year, 2023. This episode is dedicated to her memory. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by the co-author of "Gently Down This Dream", Gayle Prather! "Gently Down This Dream" is a book for those who are tired of striving and suffering and want to awaken to the peace and love that are within us all. When bestselling author Hugh Prather completed this book in 2010, he gave it to his wife and writing partner, Gayle, to shape and edit. He died the next day. The bookÂs essays, poems and aphorisms, born out of a lifetime of contemplative practice and counselling work, make for a loving PS to his millions of fans and a winning introduction to his beautiful mind for new fans to come. Its bravely self-revelatory, relentlessly compassionate words, lovingly curated by his longtime partner and collaborator, deliver spiritual insights that are perfect for the divisive times we live in. "Gently Down This Dream" presents the self-improvement practices that served Hugh and Gayle in their long life together. It includes all the lessons they learned and later taught. The Prathers fresh, authentic humour, comfort and wisdom, articulate a way through what can often seem the prison of the self, offering a reliable means for navigating a world that sometimes feels out of control, and a path to love. In 1970, Hugh Prather turned his diary into a self-help guide called "Notes to Myself", which sold nearly 8 million copies worldwide and generated countless imitations. His work inspired thousands of people to become diarists and start examining their own lives. Hugh and his wife, Gayle Prather, later co-wrote a series of advice books for couples. Hugh died in 2010 in Tucson, Arizona, where Gayle lived for many years, and sadly, she also passed away in May of this year, 2023. This episode is dedicated to her memory. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by award-winning television pioneer, maverick, wunderkind producer and now author, Arthur Smith! Arthur Smith is the Chairman of A. Smith & Co. Productions and is an industry veteran and a pioneer in nonfiction television, known for creating some of the longest-running unscripted series in history since founding A. Smith & Co. in 2000. With 200+ shows for 50+ networks under Smith’s leadership, A. Smith & Co.’s credits include Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen, which forged the modern food competition reality genre in the U.S. and is FOX’s longest-running reality show, 7-time Emmy nominee American Ninja Warrior which recently aired its 14th season on NBC, Floor is Lava which hit Netflix’s Top 10 list, the multi-NAACP Award nominated documentary special Unsung, Welcome to Plathville, Profiled: The Black Man, American Gangster: Trap Queens, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s The Titan Games, Mental Samurai with Rob Lowe, Pharrell Williams’ Voices of Fire, American Ninja Warrior Junior, and NFL’s Pro Bowl Skills Challenge. Smith also serves as Chairman of Tinopolis Group U.S., the leading TV production and distribution group, which acquired A. Smith & Co. in 2011. In this role, Smith also oversees the unscripted powerhouse Magical Elves – the Emmy Award®-winning producer of uplifting unscripted series such as Top Chef and its many spinoffs, Nailed It!, Cold Justice, Brain Games On The Road and more. Smith was honoured as one of Variety’s “Titans of Unscripted TV” in 2022, named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Producers in Unscripted TV in 2022, inducted into the Realscreen Awards Hall of Fame in 2021, awarded Broadcasting & Cable’s “Producer of the Year” in 2020, nominated for several Emmy® Awards and received dozens of awards including NAACP Awards, Realscreen Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. Smith was the first-ever inductee to his alma mater’s “Ryerson Wall of Fame,” and was the founding sponsor of the Ryerson in L.A. scholarship program to create hands-on learning opportunities for Ryerson students. Prior to A. Smith & Co., Smith served as EVP of Programming, Production and News at FOX Sports Net. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles with both MCA/Universal Television Group and Dick Clark Productions and was named the youngest-ever Head of CBC Sports. On the program, we also talk about Arthur’s inspirational new book Reach: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television. Comedian Howie Mandel writes that “Arthur’s story is the perfect read to inspire, entertain and inform” and bestselling author Robin Sharma writes: “An absolutely fascinating and engaging book about the workings of the television and entertainment world by an insider who has led the field.” For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar! Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. After graduating from Harvard with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behaviour, Tal taught two of the most popular courses in HarvardÂs history: ÂPositive Psychology and ÂThe Psychology of LeadershipÂ. He then taught ÂHappiness Studies at Columbia University, and is the creator of the world's first Master's degree in ÂHappiness StudiesÂ. A prolific writer, Tal's books have appeared on best-sellers lists all around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages. Tal Ben-Shahar consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting and mindfulness. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, as well as the creator and instructor of the Certificate in Happiness Studies and the Happier School programs. Tal is also an avid sportsman and a certified yoga instructor whose work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, ancient wisdom and modern technology, science and art. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar! Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. After graduating from Harvard with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behaviour, Tal taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history: “Positive Psychology” and “The Psychology of Leadership”. He then taught “Happiness Studies” at Columbia University, and is the creator of the world's first Master's degree in “Happiness Studies”. A prolific writer, Tal's books have appeared on best-sellers lists all around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages. Tal Ben-Shahar consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting and mindfulness. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, as well as the creator and instructor of the Certificate in Happiness Studies and the Happier School programs. Tal is also an avid sportsman and a certified yoga instructor whose work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, ancient wisdom and modern technology, science and art. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by author Vasavi Kumar! Vasavi Kumar is often described as the ÂQueen of Saying It Out Loud. A first-generation Indian immigrant raised on Long Island, NY, Vasavi has relentlessly searched to find her own voice, access the freedom of her creative spirit, and help others along the way out loud! When she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 19, she made it her mission to understand how her mind works, starting with making room to Âhear herself think. Her mission is to share the fullness of the human experience  the good, the bad, and the ugly  in order to teach a more mindful, practical and simple way of creating every aspect of your life. Through her ÂSay It Out Loud podcast, workshops, keynote talks, group programs, social media, and weekly email newsletters, Vasavi has taught thousands of entrepreneurs, creatives, and artists from all walks of life how to move through any situation  by saying it out loud. Vasavi is a TV host, Licensed Therapist, Speaker, Voiceover Artist, and Creator of the ÂSay It Out Loud Safe HavenÂ, an online support community. She holds dual Masters degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University. Also on the program, back again, is talented singer/songwriter Jules Halpern! Jules has been singing since she could walk. Her performance of Stevie WonderÂs ÂRibbon in the SkyÂ, led to her being invited to sing at many festivals, and the Canadian and American national anthems at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In addition to singing, Jules likes to draw, cook, write, and play the guitar. Jules was invited to sing for the Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble on National television with a whoÂs who of many well-known Canadian singers and celebrities including Justin Bieber, Drake, Shania Twain, Michael Bublé??????? and some of the cast of SchittÂs Creek including Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Noah Reid, Annie Murphy and Catherine OÂHara, just to name a few. On this weekÂs show, Jules will be singing her rendition of "Into the Unknown" from the ESA Music TheatreÂs Cinema Spectacular! Click on this link to listen to Jules' cover of "Into the Unknown": https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/jules-into-the-unknown-audio?si=90307eca60f94b418bfdb7ec8d0fd9e5&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Join us this Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio