Episode 20: Emmy Winning Faith Salie, of CBS Sunday Morning and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Shares Heartfelt Stories with Matthew Mayer

Seen by millions worldwide, Faith Salie of ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ and NPR’s ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,’ shares intimate, funny, and inspiring stories on her life with Matthew Mayer on The Going Solo Podcast. As a Rhodes Scholar and Recipient of Harvard’s prestigious literary award, the Bowdoin Prize, Salie’s career is beyond impressive as she continues to share joy, hope, gratitude, grace, and….To Coda….Faith.

Faith Salie (Source: Wikipedia) Faith Coley Salie (born April 14, 1971) is an American journalist, writer, actress, comedian, television, radio, and podcast host. She is a contributor to CBS Sunday Morning and a panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!. She hosted Science Goes To The Movies on PBS and CUNY TV. She is a storyteller for The Moth, with her story viewed over 4 million times. Her first book, Approval Junkie, “a collection of daring, funny essays chronicling the author’s adventures during her lifelong quest for approval,” was published by Crown in April 2016. Salie adapted it into a solo show which she performed Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theater in New York City in 2021. The play premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta in 2019.

Salie was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Robert Salie and Gail Coley Salie. She grew up in Dunwoody, Georgia, with her two older brothers. Salie was raised Roman Catholic. Salie began dancing at age three and decided she wanted to be an actor after getting the lead in the fourth-grade class play. She began performing professional children’s theatre at 13. In college, she performed in plays and musicals with Matt Damon, Mo Rocca and China Forbes. Salie graduated in 1989 from North Springs High School in Fulton County, Georgia (now Sandy Springs, Georgia). She enrolled as an undergraduate at Northwestern University and transferred after one year to Harvard University. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard with a degree in history and literature of modern France and England. She won Harvard’s prestigious literary award, the Bowdoin Prize, as well as the Jonathan Levy Award for best actor. Chosen for a Rhodes scholarship, she earned an M.Phil. in Modern English Literature from Magdalen College, Oxford.

Upon moving to Los Angeles from Oxford, Salie appeared in small roles on Sweet Valley High and Married… with Children before being cast on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She played the role of Sarina Douglas in two episodes, “Statistical Probabilities” (1997) and “Chrysalis” (1998). Salie, as Sarina Douglas, appears on a Deep Space Nine trading card. Salie starred in the 2004 Bravo improvisational situation comedy Significant Others, as well as other television sitcoms and dramas, including Sex and the City and Unhappily Ever After, in which she played goth girl Caitlin Blackpool for a season. As a stand-up comedian and “pop-culture pundit,” she appeared on several VH-1 shows including Best Week Ever, I Love the…90s, and Undateable. In 2006, Salie moved to Manhattan to host the Public Radio International show Fair Game from PRI with Faith Salie. It was a daily satirical news and entertainment show and podcast. On Fair Game, Salie interviewed hundreds of newsmakers including Lorne Michaels, Jimmy Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Zach Galifianakis, Leonard Nimoy, and Chelsea Handler. She was a regular contributor to an ethics column for O, The Oprah Magazine. Salie has appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The O’Reilly Factor, and Anderson.

Since Fair Game, Salie has hosted many podcasts, including Wait Wait Naked and Ashamed (about the 20th anniversary of Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!), Broadway Revival for Audible, Real Good for Stitcher, One Plus One for Wondery, and Authorized (about sex and romance in literature) for Audible. She has twice guest-hosted Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! From 2008 to 2010, she hosted Sundance Channel’s coverage of the Sundance Film Festival, where she interviewed actors and directors such as Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Redford, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler, Billy Bob Thornton, Joan Rivers, Michelle Williams, Dax Shepard, Elijah Wood, and Ashton Kutcher.

Salie has been a contributor to CBS News Sunday Morning since 2009.

Episode 19: 90 Day Fiancé Host and Emmy Award Winning Shaun Robinson goes in-depth with Matthew Mayer on the Going Solo Podcast

Emmy Award Winning Journalist, Shaun Robinson, shares her remarkable career, with Matthew Mayer of The Going Solo Podcast. Robinson brings us along her inspiring journey from Detroit, Michigan to Hollywood. From hosting 16 years on NBC’s Access Hollywood to hosting one of the most popular shows on TV today – 90 Day Fiance. From breaking barriers to always giving back, excited to share our fun conversation coming soon on the Going Solo Podcast. Robinson’s story is both one of leading the way and inspiration. She is the CEO of S.H.A.U.N Foundation for Girls, https://www.shaunfoundationforgirls.org, which was created to help girls and young women have access to opportunities that they need to succeed in life.

Always a professional, with an unstoppable drive to push forward, enjoy this fun conversation with Mayer and Robinson on The Going Solo Podcast

More About Shaun Robinson via Wikipedia: Robinson’s career began in Detroit at WGPR-TV (now WWJ-TV), the first African-American owned television station in the U.S. After that Robinson was a medical reporter and weekend anchor for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where her series on women and cancer garnered her an Associated Press award. She also served as host of the daily talk show Milwaukee’s Talking. Robinson later joined newly formed KEYE-TV in Austin, Texas, in 1995, as a reporter and anchor where her series “Profiles in Power”, focusing on women who made an impact in Central Texas, earned Robinson an American Women in Radio and Television award. In 1999, she started working as a weekend anchor and correspondent for Access Hollywood, a job that eventually lasted for 16 years. Before joining Access Hollywood, Robinson was a reporter and anchor for WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida. During her tenure there, Robinson anchored coverage of both the Clinton impeachment hearings and of Hurricane George, which devastated the Florida Keys. She traveled to Oklahoma to profile survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

She filled in for Meredith Vieira on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for the week of June 8–12, 2009. She has contributed reports to television shows NBC Nightly News and Today. In October 2010, Robinson was a guest star on a celebrity edition episode of the game show Don’t Forget the Lyrics. She played and won $10,000 for her selected charity, Girls, Inc. Robinson co-hosted the NBC coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade with Al Roker in 2011 and 2012.[1] She has provided coverage for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards.[1] In 2016, Robinson began hosting Tell All specials for TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé and its spin-offs.[4] In 2019, Robinson landed the role of Kris Kensington on BET’s Games People Play.[4] In February 2020, Forbes published an article about Robinson as part of the magazine’s an ongoing series “The Secrets of Successful Women.”[4] Her first book titled Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today’s Girls on What it Takes to Believe in Yourself was published on March 31, 2009, by Ballantine Books. The book of motivational advice and anecdotes presents quotes and stories from role models notable for confidence, determination and generosity. The book inspires girls to find their inner strength, become confident, and believe in themselves.

More About Matthew Mayer: Matthew Mayer is a #1 Billboard Charting Artist and Two-Time Telly Award Winner. In recent years, Matthew’s music has become synonymous with the explosion of viral online content and music streaming. From his 2022 album ‘Piano Lullabies’ quickly amassing more than 60 million streams on Amazon Music, to his latest hit ‘When Flowers Grew Wild’ being used in over 90 Thousand Instagram Reels, Mayer’s piano music is vast. Having experienced first hand the journey of a small town pianist turned international performer, Matthew has dedicated much of his life to the genre of solo piano, and helping other independent artists shine in the process. From developing and teaching a first of its kind course (The Business of Music) at his alma mater to founding SoloPiano.com – an online platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting the largest collection of independent solo piano artists (Over 450 Artists Worldwide) – Matthew continues to dedicate himself to spreading the timeless magic of solo piano music and interviewing some of the most creative people around the world.

Going Solo Podcast on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gapmxtbB

Going Solo Podcast on Apple: https://lnkd.in/guTUq6qz

Episode 18: Wonder Woman 1984 Actor, and The Price is Right Model Gwendolyn Osborne Speaks with Matthew Mayer on the Going Solo Podcast

Gwendolyn Osborne is an actress and former model who spent 12 years on The Price Is Right as a model from 2005 to 2017. Osborne was recognized as one of the “longest-running woman of color on a daytime game show”. Osborne spends time with Matthew Mayer on the Going Solo Podcast, talking about her extraordinary journey from Bath, Somerset London, to Hollywood. Osborne’s consistent work ethic, combined with her forward looking belief system, has enabled her to stand out among the elite. Most famously for casting as one of the elite Amazonian Women on the set of Wonder Woman 1984.

Follow Gwendonlyn on IG: www.instagram.com/itsgwendolyn Website: www.gwendolynosborne.com From her website at www.gwendolynosborne.com

Gwendolyn Osborne began as a runway, print, and commercial model that helped set the stage for becoming one of the models on The Price is Right show. A consummate professional, Gwendolyn was a part of the show for over 12 years and gained a historical accolade as the longest-running woman of color model on a game show. She would then join the cast of Wonder Woman 1984 as one of the Amazonian Women. It was on the set of this blockbuster movie where she captured her inner strength and power and truly took stock of what it meant to be a real-life Wonder Woman. She pushed the boundaries of her physical and mental strength while mastering her craft as an actor, transcending her experience into her everyday endeavors and passion projects.

Matthew Mayer, from Canistota, South Dakota, is a #1 Billboard Charting Artist. In recent years, Matthew’s music has become synonymous with the explosion of viral online content and music streaming. From his 2022 album ‘Piano Lullabies’ quickly amassing more than 50 million streams on Amazon Music, to his latest hit ‘When Flowers Grew Wild’ being used as the soundtrack to more than 90,000 Instagram Reels from creators across the world. Having experienced first hand the journey of a small town pianist turned international performer, Matthew has dedicated much of his life to the genre of solo piano, helping other independent artists shine in the process, as well as building relationships with successful entrepreneurs, artists, and people of all creative types, in pursuit of understanding their journey and success. From developing and teaching a first of its kind course (The Business of Music) at his alma mater at The University of South Dakota, to founding SoloPiano.com – an online platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting the largest collection of independent solo piano artists (Over 400 Artists Worldwide) – Matthew continues to dedicate himself to spreading the timeless magic of solo piano music.

Today, you can find Matthew Mayer’s music on all major streaming platforms and discover more about the journey of all aspiring creatives and artists on his Podcast, Going Solo. Follow Matthew on IG: www.instagram.com/mayersolopiano www.matthewmayer.com

Episode 17: Matthew Mayer Interviews Movie Director, Anthony D’Ambrosio

Movie Director, Anthony D’ Ambrosio shares with Matthew Mayer, the remarkable, daunting, rewarding, story behind his most recent film “Triumph of the Heart,” along with sharing personal experiences into his own journey that lead to the making of this film.

Triumph of the Heart (Triumph of the Heart) is a feature film about St. Maximilian Kolbe and his companions’ triumph over darkness. Where most stories about Kolbe end, when he volunteers to take the place of a prisoner in an Auschwitz hunger cell – This story starts there…..In Triumph of the Heart, St. Kolbe joins nine condemned men in a starvation bunker and fights to forge a brotherhood of hope in the darkest place on earth.

You can support this film on Kickstarter Here: https://www.kickstarter.com/…/triumph-of-the-heart-0

In Anthony’s own words from the Triumph of the Heart Kickstarter Page:

“I grew up Catholic. Went to seminary. Left seminary. Fell in love. But just before I got engaged… I got sick. An undiagnosed medical condition destroyed my life. I couldn’t sleep, my relationship ended, I could barely hold down my job, and there was no cure or end in sight. Amid that darkness, I lost my faith, and I wanted to die. But Kolbe’s story stuck with me. As I meditated on how Kolbe built a brotherhood in that dark place, a light broke through. I wrote this story to share Kolbe’s answer to my suffering and doubt with a world that desperately needs it. Kolbe is a saint for us and for our age.”

Follow Triumph of the Heart on Instagram

Follow Matthew Mayer on Instagram

Matthew Mayer is a #1 Billboard Charting Artist and Host of the Podcast Going Solo. Mayer embarks on speaking to successful people in their craft, who have gone solo to pursue their dreams.

#kolbe#maximiliankolbe #16670 #triumphoftheheart#anthonydambrosio#goingsolo#thegoingsolopodcast#goingsolopodcast#matthewmayer#block11#suffering#pain#hope#love#catholic#catholicsaints#stmaximiliankolbe#saintmaximiliankolbehttps://www.instagram.com/mayersolopiano/

Episode 16: Emmy Winning Celebrity Film/TV Host Tony Potts Goes In-Depth with Matthew Mayer

Tony Potts is an Emmy Award Winning, Film & TV Personality and Celebrity Host whose career has spanned from humble Washington beginnings to being a 12 year host on NBC’s Worldwide Entertainment Show Access Hollywood https://www.instagram.com/accesshollywood/

Tony Potts’ expert guest appearances include CNN, MSNBC, FOX, HLN, NBC, The Today Show, ABC, Good Morning America and, in Europe, the BBC and RTL. He has appeared in films including Ransom with Mel Gibson, and TV including the season two finale of CSI: Miami, playing a helicopter pilot. He also played himself on several episodes of the FX series Dirt, which starred Courteney Cox.

Since his days interviewing the biggest celebrities across the globe, Potts grew his domain of media personality to a global media strategist. His projects including building a film company in Budapest to helping create a digital studio in Amsterdam for MTG, Modern Times Group. He has also been a part of companies like Ready, Set, Jet (Built by Shalini Vadhera). More Info: https://readysetjetofficial.com

On The Going Solo Podcast with Matthew Mayer, Tony shares personal stories, insights, and amazing experiences on how he manifested his dreams through hard work, opportunities, and never letting rejection dictate his path.

Per Wikipedia: Potts graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.A. in Journalism/Editorial Writing and a Minor in Radio/Television. By the time Potts was 31 years old, he was hosting Good Day New York on WNYW and then moved from New York City to Los Angeles in 1997 after signing a one-year talk show development deal with ABC/Buena Vista Television, and eventually joining NBC with a 12 year run hosting on worldwide entertainment show, Access Hollywood.

On February 16, 2007, Potts won the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Most Valuable Player award, as Potts scored 14 points and had 8 rebounds as the West defeated the East 40–21.

The Going Solo Podcast with Matthew Mayer brings personal conversations with amazing people from all walks of life. From Award Winning Authors to Grammy Winning Producers: From Worldwide TV Personalities to the hometown budding artist, Matthew Mayer has small town talk with notable people across the globe.

Matthew Mayer is a #1 Billboard Charting Artist whose piano music has streamed tens of millions of times. From starting piano at age 12 in Canistota, South Dakota, Matthew’s music has become synonymous with the explosion of viral online content and music streaming. From his album ‘Piano Lullabies’ passing more than 50 million streams on Amazon Music, to his latest hit ‘When Flowers Grew Wild’ being used as the soundtrack to more than 80,000 Instagram Reels from creators across the world, Mayer’s music can be heard on all digital streaming platforms.

Follow Tony Potts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtonypotts

Ready Set Jet Official Website: https://readysetjetofficial.com

Ready Set Jet Links: https://linktr.ee/readysetjet

Follow Matthew Mayer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayersolopiano

Follow Matthew Mayer on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lUFpolDE7BJirBW8Fub5z?si=7IRrkRIfSd-k3520d9Tx7w

Start a Matthew Mayer Pandora Station: https://www.pandora.com/artist/matthew-mayer/ARcrJdfftbKzlcg

Episode 15 – The Will Ackerman Interview

Will Ackerman, Founder of Windham Hill Records, and one of the greatest Record Producers of our times, talks with Matthew Mayer about music, life, creative approaches, mentorships and more. This intimate and real conversation highlights the Grammy Award Winner’s journey, key moments throughout his life, and how he became an instrumental figure for so many artists and listeners throughout the world.

Will released his first album “In Search of the Turtle’s Navel” from his very own label, Windham Hill Records decades ago. He has gone on to release albums by well known artists like George Winston, Alex De Grassi, Robbie Basho and More. With over a 45 year professional career, Will Ackerman’s recordings and performances have touched millions of lives.

Will Ackerman continues to work as a producer out of the studio he has built in Dummerston, Vermont – Imaginary Road Studios.

More information on William Ackerman can be found at https://www.williamackerman.com

More information on Matthew Mayer can be found at https://www.matthewmayer.com

Please follow on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mayersolopiano

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayersolopiano

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayersolopiano

Listen and Follow “The Going Solo Podcast by Matthew Mayer” on Spotify, Apple, Stitcher, and more!

Episode 14 – Matthew Mayer Interviews George Winston – Part II: Thank You George

Matthew Mayer continues to talk with the legendary, and one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, George Winston, in this anticipated Part 2 interview on the Going Solo Podcast titled: “Thank You George.”

In this episode, Winston continues to share insights with Mayer about his approaches to creativity and life in general. From his influences from James Booker to Professor Longhair, as well as the importance of listening to your subconscious.  As Winston travels to another performance on the road, towards Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mayer and Winston cover a wide variety of topics beyond music.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He’s inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston’s music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander.

George Winston’s new album ‘Restless Wind’ is a portrayal of Winston’s place in a chaotic world – his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace.

In basketball there is Michael Jordan, in boxing there is Mohammed Ali, and in solo performing, there is George Winston.

Follow George Winston on Twitter at @gwinstonpiano ‏ and on Facebook at @georgewinstonpiano.

Follow Matthew Mayer on Twitter at @mayersolopiano and on Facebook at @mayersolopiano.

George Winston Official Website: www.georgewinston.com

Matthew Mayer Official Website: www.matthewmayer.com

Going Solo Episodes: www.goingsolo.club 

Episode 13 – Matthew Mayer Interviews George Winston – Part 1: You Can Call Me George

Matthew Mayer interviews one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, George Winston, in this Part 1 of 2 Going Solo Podcast Episode Series titled “You Can Call Me George.”

George Winston talks to Matthew Mayer about his growing up in Eastern Montana, and important influences from James Booker to Professor Longhair. Winston also discusses his approach to music and the importance of being able to fluctuate between linear thinking and being open to serendipity.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He’s inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston’s music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander.

George Winston’s new album ‘Restless Wind’ is a portrayal of Winston’s place in a chaotic world – his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace.

In basketball there is Michael Jordan, in boxing there is Mohammed Ali, and in solo performing, there is George Winston.

Follow George Winston on Twitter at @gwinstonpiano ‏ and on Facebook at @georgewinstonpiano.

Follow Matthew Mayer on Twitter at @mayersolopiano and on Facebook at @mayersolopiano.

George Winston Official Website: www.georgewinston.com

Matthew Mayer Official Website: www.matthewmayer.com

Going Solo Episodes: www.goingsolo.club 

George Winston

Episode 12 – With Gratitude – Interview with Award Winning Author Marala Scott

Award Winning Author, Inspirational Speaker, Ghostwriter, Poet, and Oprah Ambassador of Hope, Marala Scott, speaks with Matthew Mayer about her newest release “With Gratitude” and the importance of recognizing Gratitude in your life. Marala gives us the positive inspiration we all need in life.

Oprah Winfrey honored Marala Scott as one of her five Ambassadors of Hope in 2009 and stated, “A childhood of abuse almost kept Marala Scott from a life of happiness…until she discovered how to use her story to help others.”

Marala reveals an unparalleled passion and ability to inspire others. If you are looking for ways to reframe your mind, to learn from negative experiences, and turning your life to the positive, listen to Marala talk about “With Gratitude”.

With Gratitude is now available everywhere books are sold!

Follow Marala Scott here on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow Matthew Mayer here on Twitter and Facebook.

 

5 Myths of Being a Musician with a Day Job

In follow up to Matthew Mayer’s blog post on the CD Baby DIY Musician Blog website, Mayer spends this episode addressing in more detail his 5 Myths of Being a Musician with a Day Job, and also addresses feedback received from the article.

If you are a “creative” with a “day job”, you will want to hear tune into this episode!

Matthew Mayer is a #1 Billboard Recording Artist who is the owner and founder of SoloPiano.com, Produces The Going Solo Podcast, and has released solo piano music for over 2 decades.

For more information on Matthew Mayer, check out music at matthewmayer.bandcamp.com – Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mayersolopiano and on Instagram @mayersolopiano.