Sonstein Sessions: Recent Episodes
Shelli Sonstein
Conversations about issues that matter with a focus on movies, actors, directors, writers & musical artists.
Ben Steele directed “Love & Hate Crime” for the ID tv channel. It’s the story of the first person ever to be sentenced on federal hate crime charges for killing a transgender person. Ben does such a beautiful job on his doc- it plays like a mystery. He leave the viewer to judge.
Feras Fayyad is a Syrian filmmaker who is up for best doc @ the Oscars. He talks about the white helmets - the first responders in Syria risking their lives to save civilians trapped in bombed out buildings.
Issues: first responders; human rights; president trump’s travel ban
I speak with Kim Dreher & Darryl Mouzen, Clifton and Yonkers teachers who wrote & illustrated a book to empower kids against bullying.
Retired FDNY’ers Danny Prince and Mike Prior on the FDNY’s fire family transport program- helping ailing FDNY'ers. There are 1700 right now sickened by 911 toxins!!!!
Lisa Waknin is a NJ mom of an opioid addict survivor who opened her own rehab after her daughter failed in 12 rehab attempts.
Jo Stach became a widow January 7th after her 51 year old retired FDNY LT. husband Joe died of pancreatic cancer. She says the biggest nightmare was living with PTSD.
I speak with Make 100 Healthy founder John Murphy. We'll talk about honoring & learning from 100-plus year olds in our area.
NY Hospital for Special Surgery Dr. Josh Dines, a doc for both the Mets & Rangers, warns parents on how to avoid sports injuries with their kids. And we dish about Tom Brady’s weird diet and workout.
Actress Rebecca Hall and “Permission” writer/director Brian Crano . Among our hot topics: the #MeToo campaign and Rebecca giving her salaries from two woody allen movies to the Times Up campaign.
Leslie Mandoki who heads Mandoki Soulmates talks about their January 29th Beacon Theatre concert raising money for MusiCares, which helps musicians in need.
Nancy Buirski directed “The Rape Of Recy Taylor”, the story of a young black mom in Alabama who was gang-raped by 6 white teenagers. She didn’t stay silent and was helped by Rosa Parks, LONG before Parks became a civil rights icon.
Steve Sirot, co-founder of College Benefit Research group, on how high schoolers can find the best college for themselves and how to plan on paying for it.
Filmmaker/activist/musician Michael Perlman talks about how to heal out politics of hate. His doc by the same name is now available on iTunes.
Go to www.world2be.com and www.facebook.com/world2be to get more info and engage in an online conversation. Proceeds from sales of the film through their website go to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
What will it take to bring peace to the Mideast and for our own political chasm to heal? Short-listed for best foreign picture @ the Oscars, Ziad Doueiri directed Lebanon’s contribution, “The Insult”.
Fitness guru John Rowley talks about his personal struggles getting off anti-depressants
Jenny Gage, director of "All This Panic"- following Brooklyn pre-tweens to adulthood and all this panic in between.
John Murphy, founder of Make 100 Healthy gives tips for living- my goal is live a healthy 104.3!!!
Dr. Partha Nandi talks about being your own health hero for longevity, well-being and a joyful life.
"It just stays with me forever, but it's not who I am anymore. We're not our pasts anymore". Ten year army veteran Christine Martucci of New Jersey bravely tells her story of overcoming assault and almost fatal PTSD.
If you lived or worked in the area south of Canal in the months after Sept 11 2001, your health issues, even acid reflix, could be due to the 911 toxins. Retired FDNY chief Richie Alles and residents Kimberly Flynn and Ester Regelson discuss.
Can a marriage survive cheating? And what if sex drives don’t mesh? Couples/sex therapist Wendi L. Dumbroff, MA, LPC dishes advice.
Life lessons from nursing homes???!!! Charles Dodgen wrote a book called “Simple Lessons For A Better Life: Unexpected Inspiration From Inside The Nursing Home”
Ailing 911 first responder Charlie K (Charles Kaczorowski) talks about his incredible life and autobiography “You’re Not Gonna Believe This”
Kate Nowlin co-wrote & stars in “Blood Stripes”- a movie about a female Marine’s PTSD life after several tours in Afghanistan. Sexual assault in the military is the last #metoo to unfold.
The man who got health care coverage for life for ailing 911 1st responders, John Feal, joins attorney Michael Barasch updating the 911 toxin epidemic. Are these heroes doomed???
Oscar nominated Anthony McCarton, screenwriter/producer of the instant Gary Oldman classic “Darkest Hour”
Oscar winning war documentarian Sebastian Junger could be Oscar nominated again for his latest “Hell on Earth: the fall of Syria & the Rise of Isis”
Collier Landry’s dad killed his mom when Collier was just 12. How does one ever go on after that? Collier and Oscar- winning documentary director Barbara Kopple show us in “Murder in Mansfield”.
Jessica M. Thompson’s movie “The Light of the Moon” deals with the rape of a professional Brooklyn millennial- breaking all the stereotypes
As we get ready to honor veterans on Veterans Day, Marine Akshay Nanavanti joins me to look at his unique treatment for PTSD. It’s not easy and actually it’s a life plan we could all use, as detailed in his book “Fearvana”, which was endorsed by the Dalai Lama!!!!
A coming of ager in a nunnery??? In a nutshell, that’s the gist of the new film “Novitiate” , which, trust me, Melissa Leo WILL be Oscar-nominated as the Mother Superior. Writer/director Maggie Betts joins me. It’s set in the late 50’s/early 60’s as the Catholic Church was undergoing a sea change. Margaret Qualley of “The Leftovers” stars. Julianne Nicholson (“Boardwalk Empire”) plays her mom.
Petra Volpe’s movie “The Divine Order” is Switzerland’s Oscar entry for best foreign film- a feature film about women winning the right to vote in Switzerland in 1971.
Brett Morgen, famous for “Kurt Cobain: The Montage of Heck” outdoes himself in “Jane”, his doc about Jane Goodall. So good (excuse pun) it doesn’t feel like a doc but a live story about a trailblazer.
Every year 1.3 billion tons of food is thrown away. Filmmakers Anna Chai & Nari Kye explore the reasons for this waste and ways to fix the problem
Making Strides of Brooklyn. Sunday, October 15, 2017. Registration: 8:30 a.m.. Walk: 10:00 a.m.. MCU Stadium; Coney Island Boardwalk.
NJ Alzheimers. Maybe the biggest work/life balance struggle is for caregivers. Meet a Broadway star, Joe Barbara,who is a caregiver for his mom who has alzheimers.
Two people on the autism spectrum fall in love & plan to marry and two filmmakers record all...including the bedroom.
Meet the coach and his swimmer/son from the NJ Hammerheads- a swim team of kids on the autism spectrum featured in the movie “Swim Team".
Oscar nominee Amy Ryan in her 1st starring role and the director of the movie “Abundant Acreage Available”
Jeremey kKagan wrote & directed “Shot” starring Noah Wylie as stray bullet victim played out in real time.
David Gordon Green directed Jake Gyllenhaal in “Stronger” based on the real life of Boston marathon bombing victim Jeff Bauman.
Among those rushing toward the burning World Trade Center towers 16 years ago Sept 11 was Q104.3 listener and photojournalist Tony Fioranelli.
His mom tells the story of Welles Remy Crowther, the man in the red bandana, who saved 10 lives in the south tower on 911 sixteen years ago.
Home health care workers are some of the most underpaid in our country- the very people most of us would be lucky to have for home health care – which most need at some point in their lives. Deidre Fishels’ doc is called “Care”.
Photog Mark Weiss, who introduced Zakk Wylde to Ozzy Osbourne and Sebastian Bach to Skid Row, is auctioning off some of his famous collection of rock star photos. More info at rocksceneauctions.com
Nearing the 16th anniversary of September 11th, more and more are falling ill with cancer- we focus on Verizon workers with CWA leader Micki Siegel de Hernandez and ailing Verizon employee Richie Harmon
The doc “Sidemen: Long Road To Glory”..the bluesmen who inspired much of today’s rock n roll..3 of them died the same year.
The doc “Whitney Houston: Can I be Me”..a discussion of the drug abuse, emotionally abuse and hidden sexuality that tore her apart.
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Thus, the life of Jeannette Walls, who became famous as a NY gossip columnist some 30 years ago. She’s now the best selling author of “The Glass House”- her life story and now a movie starring Naomi Watts, Oscar winner Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson- who could win an Oscar for his role. Jeannette joins me on “Sonstein Sessions”. She grew up raising her 3 siblings –her dad was a genius but mean alcoholic. Her mom was more into her art than her kids. They lived in a 3 room house without electricity and water. There was dysfunction but a lot of love. And drive. Fascinating story and Woody Harrleson has never been better.
We lost country music legend Glen Campbell to Alzheimer’s disease. Campbell went on a final Goodbye Tour in 2012 with three of his children in his backup band. His last show was on November 20th, 2012 in Napa, California. The shows were documented in a 2014 film, I'll Be Me, which won a Grammy and received an Oscar nomination. That year, I spoke with the director James Keach.
Insult comic Queen Lisa Lampanelli discusses her upcoming fall Broadway show “Stuffed”- all about women’s body issues. She also details her own struggles, including gastric sleeve surgery, which saved her life. StuffedPlay.com
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer & Lovin’ Spoonful founder John Sebastian joins country artist Tony Jackson, talking veterans and the stories behind the music.
Fern Levitt’s doc “Sled Dogs” could do to the Iditarod what “Blackfish” did to Seaworld. Heartbreaking.
“Saturday Night Live” star Kyle Mooney and SNL writer Dave McCary have this week’s best reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes- topping Charlize Theron’s “Atomic Blonde” and Al Gore’s “An inconvenient Sequel”. It’s the quirky but ultimately sweet “Brigsby Bear”.
The legendary Meredith Vieira joins me along with Doctor Susan Bukata talking osteoporosis & more. For more info, please check out http://www.bonenews.com
It's not just first responders ailing from the toxic September 11 air of 16 years ago. Teachers & students are fighting cancer. Meet Michael Novemsky, Ronald Valenzuela (ex students) and UFT Exec Ellie Engler - all fighting September 11 cancers. If you know someone who was in area at time, have them register for health care coverage/comp! We have just at little over 3 years to do so.
Meet Sidney Torres, host of CNBC show "The Deed"- he could be next mayor of New Orleans & used to be Lenny Kravitz's assistant & is a self made real estate millionaire.
Meet Alexandra Pelosi (yes- her daughter) talking about her 11(!!!) HBO doc "The Words That Built America"- all living presidents & vp's and celebs read the constitution & bill of rights. Get a fly on wall view of Pres Trump & more.
The New York Red Bulls have made history, providing an autism-friendly zone at the Red Bulls Arena, so families with loved ones on the spectrum can enjoy games. Marc De Grandpre’s daughter is on the spectrum.
Nick Hamm joins me discussing his movie “The Journey”. It’s a real life how-politicians could-make-peace-or-at-least-get-something-done-if-they’d –only –talk! It’s the story of arch enemies who brought peace to Northern Ireland. Starring Timothy Spall & Colm Meaney.
A father’s day show with our neighbor down the hall, Charlamagne Tha God, host of Power 105’s Breakfast Club, who went from selling drugs & prison to devoted dad of 2 daughters and a mega-successful radio career. He is all about truth & inspiration and motivation. Beneficial advice for all.
This weekend is the 50th (!!!) anniversary of the festival that started em all – the Monterey Pop festival- which introduced most Americans to the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding & more. Meet the director of the first concert film ever “Monterey pop”, soon-to-turn 92 year old D.A Pennebaker and one of the cameramen, Jim Desmond. Behind the scenes stories. Fascinating!!!
Aisling Walsh -the director of the wonderful movie “Maudie”, opening next Friday, which I predict will win an Oscar nomination for Sally Hawkins. Co-starring Ethan Hawke, this beautiful film (both story & landscape) is the story of folk artist Maude Lewis, who became a well-known artist despite a crippling disability. This is also a very unlikely love story and a lesson in what really makes us happy in life. Hint: it ain’t $$$ or facebooking!!!!
So honored to meet Bassem Youseff, who has been described as the Egyptian John Stewart. His TV satire news show lasted just 3 years before he was fired and had to leave the country. It would be like John Stewart getting fired, sued for more than 100-mil and then being forced to leave the country. His story is told in the doc “Tickling Giants”, which can be seen @ http://www.ticklinggiants.com and on iTunes and starting Tuesday, on Amazon and Google. Talk about bravery. Plus, he’s a very funny man. Compelling story on “Sonstein Sunday” Q104.3 @ 7am and on the iHeartRadio app’s “Sonstein Sessions”.
On “Sonstein Sessions” on the iheartradio app, Derik Murray discusses his Tribea Fillm Festival documentary “I Am Heath Ledger”. The doc is a look at the amazing artistry of the late actor , who was the first modern day big name celebrity to die as the result of prescription drug abuse. His on-screen acting was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to his talent.
On “Sonstein Sessions” on the iheartradio app, “Home Truth” directors Katia Maguire and April Hayes join me . For 9 years, these 2 followed Jessica Gonzales , whose 3 daughters were murdered by her husband (their father) despite a restraining order in place to protect the family. After their horrific murders and the suicide-by-police death of her estranged husband, Jessica fought all the way to the U.S Supreme Court to hold her local Colorado police accountable for failing to enforce the restraining order. This documentary is an intimate look at how a family torn apart through the worst possible circumstances along with the human spirit to go on.
World Premiere will be at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. For more information, visit:
https://ff.hrw.org/new-york
“Retired Green Beret Lt. Col. Jason Amerine” joins me on Memorial Day Sunday. Shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001, he and 99 other Green Berets were sent on a secret mission to Afghanistan . Every member of his 12 person team was either killed or wounded by friendly fire as their mission neared success. This is what Memorial Day is all about.
Margie Miller lost her marine son to suicide. She has made it her mission to try to prevent more such tragedies. On this Memorial Day Sunday, she is joined by Bill Byrne of Rolling Thunder, entertainer Kristen Capalino and Deanna Mancuso, who runs equine therapy for vets from her ranch in Purchase, New York. All are involved with the summer long “We Have Your Six Music Festival” and tribute biker ride From Yuma , Arizona to Wetbury.
Suicidally depressed James Freeman tries a shaman & the hallucinogen ayahuasca. Raz Degan documents his journey.
President of HBO documentary films talks about sex to get ahead, aging & what makes a great doc or as she calls it: docu.
It’s not just first responders who are ailing from September 11th toxins. Dr. Pamela King teaches at the High School of Economics & Finance, steps from Ground Zero. School re-opened 5 months after the terrorist attack. Dr. King is fighting cancer and post traumatic stress.
Amber Tamblyn is known for “Joan of Arcadia” and “The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants” but she got her start as a kid on “General Hospital”. Amber is a new mom and she has also given birth to her first film as a director , “Paint It Black”. Her other passion is poetry. Reading one of her poems landed her the “GH” gig!!! Her dad- the great Russ Tamblyn (“West Side Story”/”Tom Thumb”/ “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”) lost the fight to stop his daughter from becoming a child star like him.
Dash Shaw is a comic book writer/artist and filmmaker making his debut with “My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea”, voiced by Susan Sarandon, Lena Dunham, Maya Rudolph, Reggie Watts and Jason Schwartzman. It’s a bit autobiographical with his high school trials and tribulations most of us shared: was anyone happy in high school and if they were, are they still?? We also talk Williamsburg and how the rent got too damn high for the artistic community!!
Eleanor Coppola (wife of 5 time Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola and mom of Oscar winner Sofia Coppola and Oscar nominee Roman Coppola) makes history with her first fiction film “Paris Can Wait” debuting as she celebrates her 81st birthday. That’s a record for a debut. She wrote, directed and produced. Eleanor joins me in a discussion of fearlessly aging and what it’s like to be married to one of the most famous directors in history.
Bert Berns is not a household name despite writing “Piece of My Heart”, “Hang On Sloopy”, “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Twist & Shout” and “Here Comes the Night”. His son, who never knew, him tells the Bert Burns story in a doc and upcoming broadway musical.
Chuck Wepner. The real inspiration behind the Rocky movies, who went 15 rounds with Muhammed Ali.
Actor James Cromwell discusses issues such as genocide; skewed news coverage; the environment- particularly fracking in New York and the Indian Point nuke plant. He also lets us know what he'd say directly to President Trump.
Director Matt Trynauer discusses the issues of gentrification, racism, and community involvement
The producer & director of the Disney-nature movie “Born in China” discusses endangered species and Earth Day.
Discussing the movie “Wolves” with writer/director and Julianne Moore hubby Bart Freudlich