The Donna Drake Show

If You Really Want To Do Something, You’ll Find a Way. If You Don’t, You’ll Find An Excuse With Richard Decker - #225

Donna talks  to Christopher Windom, Choregrapher for the Children’s Theatre Company. Christopher Windom is a versatile theater director, choreographer, and performer. He is best known for choreographing the MGM feature film Respect and the live adaptation of Frozen at Disneyland. He served as the choreographer for the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) production of The Wizard of Oz.   Donna sits down again and talks to Evan Hirsch, Fashion Designer Evan Hirsch is a 25 year old fashion designer, entrepreneur, TV personality, stylist, make up artist, and content creator from New York. He is most known for his transforming dresses, under the name EvanHirschFashion on TikTok, where he posts for over 484,000 fans. His designs have been viewed by over 65 million worldwide viewers and have captured celebrity attention by the likes of Kim Petras    Donna chats with Richard Decker Fonder of BeAuthenti. Authenti (or BeAuthenti) is a human-connection and matchmaking platform designed to help singles meet without the traditional "swiping" or public profiles. Billed as relationship infrastructure rather than a standard dating app, the service aims to provide a discreet, privacy-focused alternative to catalog-style dati     Donna chats with Amander Diller, Founder of Tru-Nature Beauty. Amanda Diller is the founder of Tru-Nature Beauty, a boutique, nature-inspired skincare brand. Her company focuses on creating clean, handmade, and non-toxic self-care products with recognizable ingredients as a healthier alternative to chemically heavy commercial products.    Donna chats with Jennifer Tabben the Founder of Tidy Laundry Co. Jennifer Tabben is the founder and owner of The Tidy Laundry Co., a premium, woman-owned laundry essentials brand based in Independence, Kentucky. She started the company to develop plant- and mineral-based, non-toxic alternatives after suffering from sensitive skin reactions to conventional detergents with heavy chemicals. The company specializes in creating transparent, eco-friendly products like water-soluble detergent packets and dryer ball sprays   Donna talks to Peter Gregson Cellist and Composer. Peter Gregson (born in 1987) is a Scottish cellist and composer. He is recognized for his modern, genre-bending music that seamlessly blends acoustic instruments with electronics.    Finally, Donna chats with Rich Salgado? Salgado is an insurance consultant to many NFL and professional sports players (widely known by his nickname, "Big Daddy"). They frequently chat about his athletic events, such as the Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic.

Stay Afraid, But Do It Anyway. You Don't Have To Wait To Be Confident With Steve Gold - #224

Donna talks  to Dr. Arsalan Rabbanian CEO of Dr. Arsy is a science-driven skincare brand founded by a pharmacist and cosmetic formulation specialist. The company specializes in barrier-repair moisturizers designed specifically for individuals with dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin.   Donna chats with Anna Franzen, Owner of PURE SEA GARDEN. Pure Sea Garden is a natural wellness brand focused on Dead Sea mineral skincare and bath products. The brand specializes in using genuine, unrefined Dead Sea salts, dry and wet mineral muds, and simple, earth-derived ingredients aimed at promoting skin health and holistic wellness. Donna talks to Jenna Mandel-Ricci,ceo o    Donna addends The ADAPT Awards 2026. The ADAPT Leadership Awards are an annual gala hosted by ADAPT Community Network, a leading New York City human services non-profit that provides programs and services for people with disabilities. The event honors extraordinary individuals for their charitable endeavors and advocacy on behalf of the disabled community. Donna talks to Jenna Mandel=Ricci, CEO of adapt we change, Kelly Kaminski, Board Chairman of adapt we change, Abigail Hawk, actress and Event Host,  Steve Gold, Honorary Gala Co-chair, Misha Collins, Actor, Adapt Awardee and Darius Marder, Film Director,.    Donna chats with Steve Bello, Co-Founder, Dummer and Vocals for The Mystic and Samuel Bello, Founder, Band Leader, Keyboaed, Guitar and Vocals for The Mystic . The Mystic (often referred to as The Mystic Band) is a highly popular, 8-piece live cover and wedding band based in Bellmore, New York. Known across the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT), they are widely recognized as one of the premier party and event bands on Long Island.    Donna chats with Anne Francois Co-owner of Francois Naturals and William Francois Co-Owner of Francois Naturals. Francois Naturals is a wellness and skincare brand that specializes in small-batch, handcrafted soaps and natural skincare products. The business is best known for its artisanal, tallow-based soaps, which are formulated with natural, skin-nourishing ingredients like grass-fed beef tallow, coconut oil, avocado oil, and honey.    Donna talks to Christina Thornton Founder and CEO of Skin Zephyr. Skin Zephyr is an online beauty and skincare retailer that focuses on curating affordable cosmetics and skincare products, primarily sourced from independent brands and authorized distributors in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the US.    Finally, Donna listens to Al Smith. The Al Smith One Man Band Experience is a dynamic live solo show created by veteran musician Al Smith. Known for touring with legends like James Brown and The Commodores, Smith uses a specialized MIDI-guitar and sequenced backing tracks to create the massive sound of a full live band.

Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm with Kate Davis - #223

Donna talks to Spring Fertility is a prominent reproductive medicine and family-building center with multiple locations across the US, including major hubs in New York City [https://springfertility.com/newyorkcity/] and Long Island [https://springfertility.com/long-island/]. Dr. Pearson brings a thoughtful and personalized approach to fertility care. Her clinical interests include IVF, fertility preservation, recurrent pregnancy loss, and reproductive genetics. Donna also speaks with Dr. Chantae S. Sullivan-Pike, MS   Donna talks to Amanda Giacomo, Sales Director, Ally Sumner, Sales Associate, Ainsley Weaver, Sales Associate and Kate Davis, Founder and CEO of Love All USA.    Donna chats with  Linda Lin the CEO of Elasco Skincare and Mukhtar Siddiqui the CEO of Elasco Skincare. ELASCO Skincare is a California-born, science-driven beauty brand that creates high-performance, dermatologist-tested formulas with minimalist, non-toxic, and clinical-grade ingredients. They focus on precision and simplicity to deliver visible skin benefits while cutting down on complex, multi-step routines.    Donna chats with Ved J. Vyas ,Co-Founder and Viaan J. Vyas Co–Founder of AMBO. A.M.B.O. (an acronym for Arrest My Body Odor) is a clean-label, vegan skincare brand founded by two brothers that specializes in natural odor control and personal care.    The Donna Drake show checks out the  Ghirardelli and King Kong! Event.   Donna chats with Laura Susi and Billy Susi Founder of Dad Bag Company. DAD BAG Company is a family-owned business that specializes in curated gift bundles and hospital bags designed specifically for new and expectant fathers. Founded by parents Laura and Billy Susi, the brand aims to make dads feel supported and celebrated during the transition to parenthood.

A Nail Is Driven Out By Another Nail. Habit Is Overcome By Habit With Sophia Williams - #222

Donna talks to Sushma Halthore, DMD about Grove Dental Center and Enform Mind Body Wellness? Grove Dental Center [https://www.google.com/searchviewer/10?svid=CAwSGxIZCgNwdnESEkNnc3ZaeTh4ZG5BM05IQnFkQRgK&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiorfGl8c2UAxXNkokEHf6yJtsQqdYPegoIAggACAEIBhAD] is a comprehensive dental practice located in Jersey City, NJ, providing general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. EnForm Wellness (also referred to as Enform Mind Body Wellness) is a specialized aesthetic and body rejuvenation suite operated within the Grove Dental Center, offering non-invasive, technology.     Donna chats with Robert Rockwood Founder of Repelnish Plus. Robert Rockwood is the Founder and President of Replenish Plus, a skincare company based in Pelham, New Hampshire. He created the brand to formulate all-natural, vegan, and water-free skincare products after a 30-year career in the global manufacturing industry exposed him to toxic chemicals commonly used in cosmetics.     Donna talks with Sophia Williams the owner of Napa Soap Co. Sophia Williams is the co-owner of the Napa Soap Company, a luxury personal care brand based in California. In late 2023, she and her husband, Garrett Williams, acquired the business from its original founders, Sheila and Gib Rockwood, who had operated it since 1999     Donna chats with Mary Kate Santulli, Owner of The Curious Heart Shop. Mary Kate Santulli is a certified clinical aromatherapist, Reiki master teacher, and certified crystal healer. She is the owner and founder of The Curious Heart Apothecary & Spiritual Center.      Donna chats with Bryan Harris a 4th Generation Cattleman from Harris Happy Cow. Bryan Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman from Jerome, Idaho, and the founder of Harris Happy Cow, a family-run brand specializing in natural tallow skincare. He transitioned from his family’s traditional livestock background to create handcrafted, small-batch skincare products using grass-fed beef suet, a tradition rooted in his family's ranching heritage       Donna chats with Jessica Hicks CEO of Happy Hearts Naturals. Jessica Hicks is the founder and CEO of Happy Hearts Naturals, an all-natural personal care and home products company based in Grant, Michigan. She launched the business in September 2014 following her mother's diagnosis with ovarian cancer, which motivated her family to seek out chemical-free lifestyle alternatives.         Donna talks to Dr. Howard Robins Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Doctor’s Biome. Dr. Howard F. Robins is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Doctor’s Biome [https://doctorsbiome.com/pages/about-us?srsltid=AfmBOoo4_fNvFWgRwzVOP35TghVEPOf5x8tpEw8y6u69J_SDTotqShHR], a doctor-formulated, liquid-based probiotic brand. A graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, he is a highly regarded practitioner of functional medicine, nutrition, and bio-oxidative therapies.       Finally, Donna talks to Dr. Michael Guarnaccia Associate Director of New Medical Director and Dr. Gad Lavy Medical Director and Founder of New England Fertility Institute. The New England Fertility Institute (NEFI) is a state-of-the-art fertility clinic in Stamford, Connecticut. Led by renowned reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Gad Lavy, it offers a comprehensive range of assisted reproductive treatments, including IVF, IUI, egg freezing, gestational surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ family-building.

Life Is Very Interesting. In The End, Some Of Your Greatest Pains Become Your Greatest Strengths with Jessica Hicks - #221

Donna talks to Allison Massa, CEO of Bloom with Alam. llison Massa is the founder and owner of Bloom with Alma (often referred to as Bloom with Alma [https://bloomwithalma.com/]), a holistic wellness practice focused on helping women reclaim their health through functional nutrition and lifestyle changes. Based in East Setauket, New York, Massa transitioned into wellness after managing her own chronic health issues, including migraines and digestive problems,.   Donna chats with Jenenne DeBois Author and Assistant Brand Marketing Director, Random House Children’s Books. Jeneanne DeBois (often referred to as Jena DeBois) is an author of children's literature and a marketing professional at Random House Children’s Books. In November 2025, she was promoted to Assistant Director, Marketing, Brand, and Licensed Publishing.      Donna talks with Jay Mota, Founder of Divorce Logic. Jay Mota is a nationally recognized divorce financial expert, forensic accountant, and the Founder of Divorce Logic [https://www.divorcelogicllc.com/about-jay-mota]. He specializes in helping individuals and attorneys navigate the financial intricacies of divorce, including business valuations, executive compensation, forensic asset analysis, and long-term financial modeling.         Donna chats with Darin and Brooke Aldridge  a Musical Band. Darin and Brooke Aldridge are an award-winning, husband-and-wife musical duo hailing from Cherryville, North Carolina, known for their soaring harmonies and captivating blend of contemporary bluegrass, traditional country, and gospel music.        Donna chats with Jessica Hicks CEO of Happy Hearts Naturals. Jessica Hicks is the founder and CEO of Happy Hearts Naturals [https://happyheartsnaturals.com/], an all-natural personal care and home products company based in Grant, Michigan. She launched the business in September 2014 following her mother's diagnosis with ovarian cancer, which motivated her family to seek out chemical-free lifestyle alternatives.         Donna talks to Cathy McCoy Collier, author of Braver Than I Knew. Cathy McCoy Collier is a retired educator, literacy specialist, and author primarily known for her work in spiritual self-reflection and early literacy. She often writes about navigating major life transitions, such as "gray divorce," through a lens of faith and resilience. .         Donna talks to James Thristino, Forward for ASC, NY and Jim Kilmesde, General Manager and Managing Partner of ASC NY. American Soccer Club New York (ASC NY) is a semi-professional soccer team competing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Nicknamed the "Fighting Tomcats," the Long Island-based club was founded to develop local talent and regularly hosts home matches at college facilities across the region, including Hofstra University's Captains Field.       Finally, Donna chats with Dr. Claire Gill the CEO of Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. Claire B. Gill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly known as the National Osteoporosis Foundation). She has been with the organization since 2013, serving in various leadership roles—including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Mission Officer—before officially taking over as the CEO in May 2020.