5 Things with Lisa Birnbach

Senator Al Franken has returned to civilian life. He is a hands-on grandpa, a podcaster, a talker, and a policy wonk. When we met for breakfast recently -- duly separated by 6 feet -- he was interrupted constantly by supportive New Yorkers urging him to run for something, anything.  He still wants to help Americans, by providing help for the needy or by providing a laugh or two.  Doe...

You already know Kenneth Cole from his irreverent messaging, cool footwear, and from his longstanding, passionate support for HIV-Aids research. But now Kenneth is trying to help people find the courage to deal with their mental health issues, through the Mental Health Coalition, a group of resources that you can find online at TheMentalHealthCoalition.org both to share your stories, and find some help.

Lisa Birnb...

Who is the cool jeweler on the block? It is Marla, whirlwind on Instagram. In real life she gave up a substantial career in Corporate America to make jewelry inspired by hardware -- tools and gizmos. Now she gives away charms to single moms and is raising money for the hurting restaurant business through a sterling silver chair.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things: 1. Communication, 2. My wonderful hair ...

We may be two white women talking about this judicial moment, but the Minneapolis police brutality case was a crucible for everyone in this country, regardless of race. Is progress a victory? What about the hundreds of other police brutality cases from coast to coast?  How will the national curriculum change and how will that change affect the thousands of microaggress...

Nancy Jo Sales is known for her ability to connect with “the youths” of America.

Her new book, Nothing Personal: My Secret Life in the Dating App Inferno, is a window into how the apps have taken over our lives both from interviews, and from being a subject of her own experimentation with the apps. In this week’s podcast interview, Lisa Birnbach discusses what Nancy Jo has learned, and what she thinks these apps are do...

In her illustrious career as a filmmaker, Liz Garbus has made films that make you think, and often, make you act.  Her documentaries have earned countless awards, and she has added scripted films to her portfolio. Her newest movie, All In: The Fight for Democracy is of the moment. With Stacey Abrams as her guide, she shows us both historically and presently how entrenched voter suppression rea...

The cards weren't stacked for writer/actor Annabelle Gurwitch when she divorced. If she sold her house, she would never be able to buy back into the real estate market, so she had to find a new way to earn. With trepidation, she began renting out a bedroom to strangers. As a funny, thoughtful, and woke writer, Annabelle writes about regaining her finances, her sexual mojo, and many other personal t...

You know her from her major roles in meaty tv series, but Gloria Reuben is one of the most prominent women of color to lead an international environmental organization, the Waterkeeper Alliance. With 350 groups under its watch, the goal of the alliance is to provide clean water to the people who live within its purviews. How does this busy actress/writer/musician do it all? Water helps.

Gloria Reuben’s 5...

Guests Joey and Daniella Pantoliano talk frankly and with humor about their own struggles with mental health. The award-winning actor (The Soprano's, Memento, The Matrix) and his daughter, a filmmaker have just launched a new podcast, “No Kidding, Me Too” to fight the stigma of talking about emotional troubles of all kinds. 

Daniella’s Five Things: 1. Her family, 2. Her pandemic dog, David, 3. Her friends a...

Meet Joyce White Vance, the MSNBC legal analyst, law professor, podcaster, and chicken raiser (among her many talents). You know her from tv where she uses her experience as a prosecutor to explain the consequences of the bad and very bad behavior we experienced for four years. An incredibly well-rounded person, the five things that make her life better are...

Joyce Vance’s 5 Things: 1. Swedish baked goods, 2. Ch...

Lisa Birnbach’s guest this week, Journalist Mark Harris, met the director Mike Nichols when he directed "Angels in America", the iconic play written by Harris' husband, Tony Kushner, for HBO. The Broadway and film director of "Barefoot in the Park," "The Graduate", "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf", "Carnal Knowledge", "Heartburn," "The Real Thing" and many others befriended the couple along the way, a friend...

Lisa Birnbach chats with journalist Casey Schwartz, who was offered her first Adderall during her first semester in college. The concentration! The ability to focus became the best thing in her life; more appealing than hanging with her friends. Eventually Casey had to tackle what had become an addiction. She decided to interview scientists in the field of attention and distraction. While writing her book, Attention: A Lov...

Lisa Birnbach invites Norm Eisen to remind us why the nation may still survive despite the acquittal of Donald Trump after his second impeachment. Norm's background, intelligence, and optimism make him the perfect guest for this week. Also, did you know that Norm was a first-generation American who grew up in Los Angeles with a dad who owned a hamburger stand? His example is a successful American dream, and his life sto...

Chris Frantz has it all — a great story, a wife he adores, and membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Drummer and co-founder of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, Frantz joins Lisa to discuss his new memoir. Travels with the Ramones, working and falling out with David Byrne, love, marijuana, and happiness with Tina Weymouth, and a recording studio in the Bahamas. Check out his book, REMAIN IN LOVE: Talki...

After watching Mary Trump speak out for months on tv, it was terrific to have a longer conversation with the author, a psychologist by training and the niece of the former president. Which is her favorite of his three wives (so far), why was the Trump homestead so toxic, and after all is said and done, is Donald intelligent? You won't want to miss this episode.

Mary Trump's 5 Things that Make Her Life Better: 1. H...

If you think the oath of office of the president is sacred, wait until you hear the true meaning of "conservancy of the Union" as explained by Lisa's guest this week - former FBI special agent - and now MSNBC contributor, Frank Figliuzzi. If the FBI has been compromised, what happens to what Frank calls the 7 C's he lays out in his new book, The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence?

Frank Figliuzzi's 5 (actually...

This podcast was created as a hedge against the bad news and vitriol from every Twitter-filled day of our former (yes I can say it!) FORMER president - so this is a very good day. There will be no guest today, just my meditation about the inauguration of president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris. It's a short episode, so this is a great opportunity to check out http://lisabirnbach.com/welcom and listen to some o...

Comedian, Paul Ollinger takes Lisa Birnbach on a journey from Business School to Silicon Vally to Stand Up Comedy. What makes Mark Zuckerburg laugh you ask? Find out on this weeks podcast.

Lisa’s 5 Things: 1. Impeachment 2.0., 2. My 90 year old progenitor got her first shot this past week, 3. Sheila the puppy, 4. App Drive & Listen, 5. Codenames the game. 

Paul Ollinger’s 5 Things: 1. Life Fitness...

In one of the most compelling and revealing interviews of this series, Lisa Birnbach hears from former "Celebrity Apprentice" staffer Noel Casler - NDA be damned - about the details inside Trump's inflated celebrity world. Noel confirms stories about sex, drugs, diapers, and Trump's bottomless ambitions for power. Wow !

Lisa Birnbach's 5 Things that make her life better: Sheila - the puppy, 2. Her new mattress, 3. Saying "...