Pat Lalama, Award-Winning Journalist

Kicking off Italian American Heritage Month with ABC’s 20/20 Correspondent and friend, Pat Lalama, who joins our #LittleItalyPodcast to talk about growing up Italian, and how one talk from her dad, Nunzio, convinced her that she could do anything she set her sights on.

Pat’s family is from both northern and southern Italy, which she says was always complicated growing up. Life wasn’t always easy, her dad left her mom when Pat was just 17, and she learned to accept a blended family. There were lots of laughs, complications, drinking, and then there was Uncle Johnny. She’ll explain all of that.

Pat says she was always independent, had no interest in getting married, until she met famed attorney Tony Brooklier. She was widowed unexpectedly, and she’ll talk about that, too, because she wants to discuss the incredible grief associated with family and friends who take their own lives.

Pat has had an enormously successful career as a TV correspondent, working in LA and nationally on Inside Edition, 20/20 where she works now, and more more. She credits her Italian upbringing for making her tough, but at the same time, loving. And can she cook?? She’ll talk about that, too!

Please join us on @LittleItalyPodcast, @LittleItalyOfLAPodcast & @DeborahKobyltLIVE, and tell your friends, too! I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and welcome to #ItalianHeritageMonth!🇮🇹

Dr. Frieda Birnbaum, Author, “Life Begins at 60:

Life begins at… any age? I believe life is what we make of it, there’s no age restriction, at least not any more. Please welcome to our show world renowned psychologist Dr. Frieda Birnbaum, whose book, “Life Begins at 60” has literally changed views around the globe about aging, particularly for women.

Dr. Frieda holds the record for giving birth to twins at the age of 60! We talk about that, how she’s ignored criticism for decades, living life on her terms, and helping us do the same.

We will talk about changing views on aging, marriage, and motherhood. “Ageism needs to be redefined. Middle age? That sounds like it’s completely down hill! NO, I call it ‘Peak age.’ ‘Grandma’ is now someone who travels and goes on trips, not sitting home in a rocking chair waiting for her kids to call. ‘Retirement’ is now a second career, not sitting in a home waiting for visitors.”

We’ll discuss this, and explore more about healthy aging, particularly for women. And this couldn’t come at a better time, as I’ll be attending and speaking at the @InfluencersOfMidlife summit this week in Vegas! I’ll be channeling Dr. Frieda.

Please find our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too.

There’s so much we can learn from one another to live long, thriving, healthy lives. Im your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt.

Treva Brandon Scharf, Author, “Done Being Single, A Late Bloomer’s Guide To Love.”

Any late bloomers out there when it comes to love, relationships, and dating? Then meet guest Treva Brandon Scharf, author, “Done Being Single, A Late Bloomer’s Guide To Love.”

Treva was born and raised in Beverly Hills by two Hollywood talent agents who divorced. She admits to having been a commitment-phobe, serial dater who tried marriage for the first time at 51. Did it work out? You’ll have to tune in to find out.

There’s a lot to talk about, like her advice about dating pre and post 40, we’ll be talking the best dating apps for any age, simple ways to meet significant your other, and much more.

Treva is a gifted blogger and writer, and also talks about her own dating life, which is quite interesting to say the least! This is part self-help/dating advice, part memoir and definitely part research to help you in your search for love.

Please join us on #DeborahKobyltLIVE on all video and audio platforms, and invite your friends, too. Have a question for Treva? Leave it in the comments below or DM me and I’ll get them to her. Thanks for joining us! #DeborahZaraKobylt

Kelly Anne Manuel, Author

Imagine writing 27 books, with illustrations, in 14 days, having never published anything before. Meet Kelly Anne Manuel, author, who joins us today to talk about a pivotal moment in her life where she decided to start writing, and couldn’t stop!

Kelly Anne is also an eternal optimist who worked at a preschool, in the corporate world, and as a property manager before trying her hand at writing. Her books are now published as poems, primarily for children, with a beautiful message in each read. Let’s just say her books capture her inner child, and they’ve caught on globally.

Kelly Anne will talk about her inspiration, and how writing has changed the direction in her life, in more ways than one! Please tune in to our discussion on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too.

I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in!

Marianna Gatto, Taste of Italy & Founder,Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Taste of Italy is back! Join us in DTLA on Sept. 23 for THE premiere Italian Food and Wine event in Los Angeles, featuring award-winning restaurants & wineries, fantastic LIVE entertainment, and some celeb guests, too! This is on of my favorite events in LA all year!

Today, we speak with Taste of Italy creator and founder of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Marianna Gatto, telling us all about this upscale food and wine tasting event, which also benefits arts and educational programming for youth at #IAMLA.

According to Marianna, #TasteOfItaly provides an opportunity to connect with some of SoCal’s most interesting, well-traveled, cross-cultural audiences, including philanthropists, celebs, influencers, and dignitaries. Not to mention some of the top restaurants and award-winning wines in the world. Tickets available at IAMLA.org

Please find our full interview with Marianna on all #LittleItalyPodcast, #LittleItalyOfLAPodcast, & #DeborahKobyltLIVE video and audio platforms. And please invite your friends, too. Looking forward to chatting with my friend, and talking all about this magnificent event that bring the entire city a little closer.

Addi Somekh, International Balloon Hat Maker

Meet Addi Somekh, a self-taught balloon artist who has been twisting balloons around the globe for over 30 years, and I’m honored to welcome him to our show.

In addition to creating large-scale balloon sculptures, flowers, hats, and just about anything you can think of, Addi also wrote, “Inflatable Planet,” along with Charles Eckert, which is a stunning photographic portrait of his many travels around the globe where he’s delighted generations of people with his balloon art.

Addi is also is a university philosophy instructor and musician. He joins us to not just talk about his work, but also his beliefs in the universal power of joy and laughter, which his balloon art has brought to so many around the world.

Please join us for our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I’m happy you’ll be joining us today. Please invite your friends, too❤️

John Frank Levey, Casting Director and Author, “Right for the Role”

During this down time with the SAG/AFTRA & Writers Guild strike, many actors and writers are honing their skills so they can come back stronger than ever. Please welcome John Frank Levey to our show, four-time Emmy-winning casting director and author, “Right For The Role,“ who joins us to talk about tricks of the trade and how to stand out when auditioning for any role.

John has cast for some of TV’s most iconic shows, including ER, The West Wing, Shameless, China Beach, in addition to dozens of TV series and movies, video games, feature films, digital series, and more, so he knows what studios are looking for. And even though the business may be changing with AI and other technologies, good acting can never be replicated.

John’s book isn’t just for folks in the business. It’s for anyone looking to present his or her best when preparing for an interview or even walking into a room. And he’s got LOTS of stories from his many years in the business, so you won’t want to miss this.

Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for joining us, and pick up Frank’s book, too📕

James E. Cottrell, Author, “Anesthesia Without Fear”

Ever wonder what happens when you go under anesthesia? Then you must listen to our interview with Dr. James Cottrell, author, “Anesthesia Without Fear,” because he’s got a lot to share with us.

There’s no fear here. It’s about knowing the different types of anesthesia depending on your surgery, because not all anesthesia is created equal. There’s also lots you can do to prepare for surgery, and Dr. Cottrell talks about that, too, in addition to what questions to ask your anesthesiologist before undergoing the knife. What about emergency surgery, and the differences between heart surgery and the type of
anesthesia needed for child birth, natural or C-section? And what about other plastic surgery?

There’s a LOT to cover, so tune in and join the conversation. You can find our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE.

I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, thanks for tuning in, and please invite your friends, too.

Robin LaMonte, Influencers of Midlife

Please join me in discussing a very exciting conference taking place Sept 28 – Oct 01 in Vegas – Influencers of Midlife Summit!

Ladies (and gentlemen), this is for those of us mid-life and beyond, talking about everything from money management to health, divorce, wills, new job opportunities, how to maximize social media and job trends, podcasting, AI, and more. I’ll be speaking with social media influencer and the creator of the Summit, Robin LaMonte, who will walk us through what’s going to be happening during this fun and
informative weekend. There’s already a panel of dynamic speakers in place, and I’ll be interviewing our Keynote Speaker – Cristina Ferrare, model, actress, author, and talk show host. And she’s got a LOT to share.

Please join our full interview on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends, too!

I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and I look forward to sharing with you all about
our summit, and I hope you’ll join us in Vegas. Info at InfluencersOfMidlife.com

Shannon Cohn, Director, “Below The Belt” film

Please welcome to our show Shannon Cohn, director of the #PBS documentary, “Below The Belt: The Last Health Taboo.”

The film talks about #endometriosis, which is often misdiagnosed in patients. The disease affects one in nine women who are often in extreme pain, discounted, and ultimately left with no answers.

In fact, can take years to diagnoses endometriosis, and the emotional and physical toll on patients is life-altering. Many can’t work, and often, endometriosis can lead to infertility.

The film follows the stories of four patients, each seeking answers to a painful problem. We will talk about identifying the causes, symptoms, and possible cures for endometriosis.

Please find our full interview with Shannon on all video and audio platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends to this join important conversation as well. I’m your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt. Thanks for tuning in.