The Broadway Husbands Podcast

#70 - Natural Love with Jordyn and Ziggy Pollack

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0000

What a fun interview with an amazing couple!

In case you aren’t familiar with Jordyn and Ziggy Pollack and their Instagram following, allow us to introduce them and their incredible story.

Ziggy is a Burlesque performer, makeup artist, costumer, and all around creative genius. Her husband Jordyn as a very successful entrepreneur (and owner of Ziggy’s Naturals) who has a passion for fitness, the outdoors, and cooking. They recently celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary, and their love story has been anything but traditional! Jordan transitioned into a man once they were already engaged. The way these two unique souls have loved and supported and allowed one another to grow into the truest version of themselves- it’s nothing short of inspirational!

We cover all sorts of topics in today’s episode- from Wedding Traditions (When gender roles aren’t clearly defined, who breaks the glass? In what order are you supposed to dance with your parents? Can a dog walk someone down the aisle?) to the recent ban on transgender children from competing in sports (Is it really necessary to tell a child they must compete with the gender that is on their birth certificate?) No topic is off limits. And no answer reached without compassion and an open mind. One of the many things we love about this couple.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

My brother and I haven’t talked in over a year. We have a lot of history and I want to set some boundaries. I want him in my life, but I’m afraid to reach out because of how he might react. What is the best way to reach out to him and maintain healthy boundaries?

Want to learn more about this couple and their products? Follow them! And use the code Broadway20 to get 20% off your order with Ziggy’s Naturals!

@stylelust
@jojopollack
@ziggysnaturals

And if you’d like to learn more about the Broadway Husbands’ journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#69 - We Bought a Car

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Just when we thought life didn’t have another surprise in store for us this year… CRASH! That’s right. A literal car crash. On our way to our niece’s graduation, no less, our dear Blue Bell suffered an accident. There we were, all dressed up with graduation banners and presents in tow, dealing with yet another unexpected chapter to 2021. We were incredibly fortunate that no one was hurt. And aside from the disappointment of missing the graduation ceremony, we were able to move past the sadness of the event to do that thing that many people have to do- but no one likes to talk about… Buy a new car! Living in New York, we both skipped this rite of passage for many, many years. And we know that many artists and creatives living in big cities are the same. There are so many unspoken rules about negotiating, payment plans, extras, what time of the month is the best to buy. And unless someone in the know shares this wisdom, the whole process can feel a little overwhelming. So we reached out to our Instagram community for advice and it paid off! In this episode, we walk you through the whole process. (For us, it took a total of six hours to purchase our new car, but everyone’s experience is a little different.) Many parts of the negotiations were more complicated than we imagined. But we had each other. And now we want to help anyone listening so that you can learn from our experience. How about you? Have you learned something from the experience of buying a new car?Did you walk away feeling like you got a great deal- or like you could have done a little better with more information? And- even more importantly- where are you excited about driving this year? We can’t wait to hear all about it. Send us a message! And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#68 - Same Sex Miscarriage

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Our journey to become dads has been fraught with challenges and obstacles- many of which have been too painful to speak openly about until this week. But we have always done our best to present ourselves as we are, dear listeners, and we know that sharing our journey will help others along the way. So here goes. Our most recent embryo transfer in February did not take. Naturally, we were filled with grief and disappointment, as was our surrogate. And grief has a funny way of popping up at different times. Sometimes immediate, sometimes appearing out of nowhere at the most inconvenient of times. Bret tends to process things out loud; Stephen... not so much. As we both process this in our own time we are more grateful than ever to have each other. We’re in this marriage and family for the long haul. And while we have absolutely no control over the timing of these things, our desire to become dads has only increased as a result. We felt like we were collectively holding our breath for weeks just to hold it together. To function at work. To move to our new home. To keep inspiring others around us. And then once we let reality sink in, it helps us to move toward the future. And the future is very exciting! We’re so happy to share with you all that we’ll be performing another transfer SOON. We hope and pray that it’s the final transfer and that we can start the family we’ve been waiting for. — This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener: I’ve been seeing a guy for three months now, and it has been going well. He’s divorced with kids, and I know that they are his priority. But then I don’t hear from him for days and then I start to feel like I’m not on top of his list. I’m afraid to bring it up without coming off as needy. We’ve really surprised ourselves with this choice to stay in Texas when our lives have been so New York-centric for many years. We’re proud of this bold choice because it feels true and right for us right now. In what ways have you surprised yourselves recently? We’d love to hear about them and send you a virtual hug. We’re here to uplift one another through the good times and the bad. And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands. Follow us so we can connect!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#67 - Mental Health Awareness Month

Fri, 28 May 2021 04:00:00 -0000

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and here at the Broadway Husbands Podcast, we want to share our own mental health journeys with you- to do our small part to stop the stigma once and for all!

In this episode, we shed light on our struggles with addition, depression, and attention deficit disorder. Since sobriety is a bond we both share- and the thing that allowed us to meet in the first place- we’ve always felt comfort in being honest and transparent with one another about our emotions. And since mental health issues shift over our lifetimes, when you are married, you often have a glimpse into your partner’s childhood and adolescence and see things they hide from the rest of the world. We have become each other’s biggest cheerleaders in our quest for mental well-being. Developing a safe space for big feelings at home has been key for us.

In addition to therapy (which we HIGHLY recommend!) we also reconnect with our bodies by taking deep breaths, reading, and doing one small thing every day- like making your bed- to look back on as an accomplishment. And there are so many resources to help if you’re ever in need. We love the Actors Fund (theactorsfund.org) and all the ways they help performers in all walks of life.

We’ve been watching The Me You Can’t See on Apple+ and have been loving it! Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry discuss mental health issues as a whole, and share their personal journeys with wellness. What tv shows, movies, books, and podcasts are your favorite? We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#66 - Artists Becoming

Thu, 20 May 2021 16:14:00 -0000

Today’s episode is an absolute gift. We are still buzzing from our inspirational and healing talk with Shelby Elsbree and Jessica Cohen. If you’re ready to be seen, to address systemic problems in the performing arts industry, and to give your inner artist the biggest hug ever, please tune in. You’ll be so glad you did.

Shelby and Jessica are bright lights in our industry- and in the world! They both enjoyed incredible ballet and performance careers, dancing all over the world as well as on Broadway and National Tours. And in those years immersed in show business, they did two remarkable things: They noticed systemic problems, and followed their hearts to create change and heal our community.

Together they founded Artists Becoming, whose mission is to elevate the standards of well-being across the performing arts industry. They bring the gifts of yoga and meditation to artists of all kinds. Think of them as a full-service emotional support supplement in an often toxic environment. What started as a way to help individuals has now evolved to help institutions as a whole. And you don’t have to speak with Shelby and Jessica more than 30 seconds to know that these giant issues and difficult conversations are in the very best of hands. They care so much about artists and this broken industry we’ve all navigated for a variety of reasons, whether they be low self-worth or a scarcity mindset.

Our conversation with Shelby and Jessica covers a lot of ground, from the current state of our industry to dreams that no longer suit us and how to heal from that- we learned so much today. And what a gift that their words are recorded as a reminder to play again and again. We plan to sign up for one of their courses. How about you? Check out Artistsbecoming.com to learn more. And follow them on Instagram @artistsbecoming

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

What advice do you have for someone trying to transition out of dance?

Shelby made the decision to leave the ballet world on her own terms- not because the industry or an injury told her to retire. How about you? Have you ever walked away from an opportunity or dream knowing you still have something to give? Artists navigate so many complex chapters in their careers. Hundreds of tiny and enormous decisions. And they can feel very isolating, but they don’t have to be. We’re here and would absolutely love to hear your stories!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#65 - Happy Collaboration, Happy Couple

Thu, 06 May 2021 15:41:00 -0000

Kelli Erdmann and Freeman Butler quite simply bring joy, light, and creativity to the world. And we were overjoyed to be able to interview them on this week’s podcast! You may know Kelli and Freeman from their amazing TikTok and Instagram videos (tiktok: happykelli and instagram @kelladactyl) featuring Kelly’s amazing dance moves and Freeman’s expert art directing and editing. They are just as lovely as you would imagine and this interview still has us smiling!

We loved learning about Kelli and Freeman’s love story. They lived across the country and met on a dating app. Then nearly a year later, they met in New York when Kelli was in Wicked on Broadway. After that fateful day in Times Square, they just knew that even the greatest distance couldn’t keep them apart. They were married six months later. And today, they continue to be are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters.

Like so many of us, Kelli and Freeman found themselves looking for a creative outlet during the pandemic and decided to give this TikTok thing (and some new video editing software) a try. They were an overnight sensation! And now anyone who is anyone wants to the chance to dance with Happykelli! Their videos make us smile every time we see them. And their creativity knows no bounds.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

After a year of being in quarantine together, working from home, pivoting all of the time, I find myself shutting down with my partner. It’s like I think he should be able to read my mind now after all of this time and if he doesn’t do things exactly how I want I lose my patience. How do I keep myself expressing my emotions to my partner without shutting down?

TikTok as become Kelli and Freeman’s full-time job- and no one is more surprised about that then they are! What surprises has this pandemic brought in your lives? We’d love to hear about them. Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#64 - Our Ten Year Anniversary

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0000

On April 18, 2021 we celebrated ten years of wedded bliss! That’s right- one decade ago, we said “I do!” And what better opportunity than an anniversary to pause for some reflection on the past and hopes for the future!

Since 2011, we’ve had some epic anniversary gifts. There was the year Stephen surprised Bret with a plane ticket to Japan to celebrate our “paper” anniversary. And who can forget our “copper” anniversary when our rings turned both our fingers green! We’ve come a long way in ten years. Geographically, we’ve moved from our East Village apartment to our Texas home. Career-wise, we’ve been on Broadway, National Tours, film and tv, taught ballet, directed, and coached from home. And emotionally, we’ve learned more about each other and ourselves than we ever thought possible.

The world around us has changed quite a bit since 2011, too. And in this episode, we also discuss some changes that are happening in the Broadway community. Actors Equity is in uncharted territory deciding the future of post-pandemic theatre. Producers like Scott Rudin are being exposed for behavior that many kept secret until now. And theatre makers everywhere are calling for diversity and equality at long last. It’s an empowering and unprecedented time to be in show business. And these changes are long overdue.

We had so much fun recording this episode. And we hope that when we look back one year from today that many more changes will be made. In our own lives, we hope that one year from now, we’ll be dads. In fact, we can’t wait for that day to come! We also hope to make an impact on the theatre and arts community here in Houston.

What are your hopes and dreams for the next year of life? What changes do you want to see in your own life? And what changes do you want to see in the greater theatre community? We’d love to hear about your goals and cheer you on each step of the way. Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#63 - Creating Content, Creating Community

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 15:29:00 -0000

Today’s episode has two very special guest stars: Taylor Phillips and Jeff O’Donnell, who you may know and love from their incredible social media presence. They’re a great couple on quite the journey together. And while everyone’s Pandemic stories have been different, there’s some comfort in sitting down to speak with other couples and seeing that many of the decisions, trials, tribulations, and little joys are universal.

Taylor and Jeff moved out of New York during the Pandemic, and have invested a lot of time and creative energy into buying and fixing up a house. They love walks with their dog, the sound of birds chirping in the morning, the size of shopping carts in suburbia… New York City might be one of the greatest places on earth, but when you live anywhere else, your eyes are opened to hundreds of conveniences you never knew you wanted. And they’re so lucky to be exploring them together during this “extended summer vacation” that is the Pandemic. They’re learning to communicate and give their relationship the quality time it needs and deserves … all while while balancing schedules, maintaining their social media presence, and planning a wedding!

These two are more than just content creators. They are community creators. And it was so inspiring to hear their stories of what visibility means in the gay community. Taylor lives his life by the quote “Live the life of the person you needed when you were younger.” And when we were all younger, we did not see same-sex couples paving the way and telling us your feelings are valid, love is out there, and ask questions if you have them. So these two are paving the way in that regard. We love their content, and they are constantly surprised by the way it impacts the community they both work hard to create.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I recently survived a divorce and started dating. I want to be cautious and selective when using dates apps. I recently went on a date with a gorgeous man who is- I don’t know how to say it… not smart. I’m definitely intellectual and this guy is so sweet, but I’m not sure if I can date someone who isn’t very intelligent. Is that shallow of me? I’m not sure if I should still consider going out with him.

Taylor and Jeff have different opinions on how much information they should share online. So communication is key before sharing. How do you feel about sharing your personal life on Instagram? Do you think twice before pressing the “share” button? Have you ever regretted a post- or been surprised by the way that you story impacted a complete stranger? We’d love to hear your stories! Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#62 - Managing Expectations

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0000

What a week! Listeners, we’re not sure how many of you have purchased a home and gone through the many, many steps between that and closing and actually receiving the keys. But if you have, you can relate to the twists and turns of this week in our lives!

While we went into this process with all the optimism of two Broadway performers- What could go wrong? This should be a piece of cake!- we were surprised by delays, new plans, surprise adjustments, and unmet expectations. While we can’t control most of those things, the expectations are in our ability to manage.

So, how do you manage expectations? We discuss this and more in today’s episode. It’s only natural to walk into a situation that you’re looking forward to- a new home, a relationship, a career in show business- and want the best. Yet there’s a fine line between optimism and wanting to protect your heart.

What better time to discuss Managing Expectations than a Global Pandemic! This time has been an incredible teacher in that regard. We have no expectations how long we will stay in Texas. This suits our lives and brings happiness in this moment. We have no expectations when Broadway will reopen. Producers may set an Opening Night, and medical experts and governing officials may push that back. If the only thing we are certain of this year is uncertainty, then it’s time to take focus off of the future and place it on the present. How can we make this moment livable? We’re incredibly lucky to have each other through the uncertainty of life- and we do not take that for granted.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from Bret:

I was so excited to buy this house and start this new chapter of our lives. But as a kid, it was my dream to move far, far away from Texas and become a Broadway star. Now that we’re back here (and just found out that my childhood friend’s parents live in the neighborhood) the shininess of this new dream is starting to feel like settling into the life I never wanted as a kid. How do I come to grips with these two feelings?

Now that you’ve heard our story, we’d love to hear yours! What expectations are you managing right now? Are you thriving or struggling or taking it one hour at a time? We’re here for you and would love to connect!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#61 - One Year Pandemic Anniversary

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Can you believe how far we’ve all come in one year? This week, we take a look back at this wild year in the life of the Broadway Husbands. It’s hard to imagine where we were this time last year: Living in our apartment in the East Village, afraid to go outside except for short walks between episodes of ‘Tiger King’. Broadway closed, we didn’t own masks or know the importance of them yet, and we decided to make a major pivot.

At the same time that we were moving out of our home in the East Village- check out Episodes 31 and 32 for all of that drama!- Stephen got an incredible teaching offer in Texas that brought us down this brand new path. Anxiety was through the roof- and not just because the global pandemic was raging all around us. Working from home isn’t easy. Shifting careers isn’t either. And yet, artists all over the world have found themselves doing both. And thriving!

Since then, we’ve spent some quality time in the car driving to Pittsburgh to spend time with Stephen’s family and then Texas to be with Bret’s before finally landing a home of our own here in Texas. It’s been a wild ride to say the least! But we have each other, and friends near and far cheering us on.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I’ve been in quarantine with my husband for a year now, and sometimes we have bad days separately and it’s so difficult not to take on each other’s energy. How do I create space for my spouse when they are going through a bad day, without taking on their bad day?

We can’t wait to see what we’re reflecting back on at this time next year. How about you? What has your path been this year? If you knew the pandemic would still be affecting our lives and careers in 2021, would you have done anything differently? We want to hear everything. Send us a message! And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#60 - We Bought a House!

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0000

We are so excited to finally announce our big news: We bought a house in Texas! If you would have told us a year ago that this would be part of our life plan, we would have laughed. But here we are and it feels so right that we can’t help but shout our joy from the rooftops!

We have not taken this decision to lay down roots lightly. Our identities as artists have been tied to New York and Broadway for as long as we can remember. But the industry is shifting. And artists of all kinds are finally living where they love, where they are close to family, where their finances will allow them to thrive instead of feeling required to live in New York or Los Angeles. We’re submitting self-tapes to those big cities all the time, but since that can be remote these days, we made the choice to say yes to this big adventure!

And what does saying yes to a Texas home mean? It means saying yes to more space to create content, to have an office, to have room for friends and family to stay with us. And what does saying yes to a Texas home for two gay men trying to start a growing family? A whole lot of questions! Will we feel included in our neighborhood and community? What types of people do we want to surround our potential family with? I see what this community looks like today, but how might the dynamic change in years to come?

Today’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I started dating a guy and it’s new. It’s going well. I just turned 40 and he has two kids. I want kids of my own. When is too soon to meet the kids? How and when do you think I should discuss this?

Are you a homeowner or thinking of becoming one? What was the one thing you always wanted to have in your dream home? Our dreams are powerful things and we’d love to hear about yours. Send us a message! And if you’d like to learn more about our journey, please support us on Patreon.com/broadwayhusbands

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#59 - Gender Identity and Parenthood

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Carlos Encinias wears many hats. He’s a Broadway actor, a director/choreography, a writer, a teacher, a husband, and a father. And we feel so lucky to call him our friend. In today’s podcast, we have an amazing, heartfelt discussion about parenting that you won’t want to miss!

When Carlos and his husband Joe became parents almost ten years ago, they didn’t dream of the challenges- or the rewards- that they would face. They adopted two amazing children and are learning from their kids every day how to listen, support, and give them wings every step of the way. Today, we specifically discuss the complexity surrounding raising a child who chooses to express his gender in a different way.

Being a parent means having a lot of eyes on you at all times. Being two men raising a child who sometimes wears dresses and paints his fingernails adds a whole new level of pressure. Even within the very supportive LGBTQ community, there can be differences of opinion how to raise children without forcing your own narrative on them. What is the best way to handle bullying in the New York Public School system? Should I refer to my son as she/her at the age of nine? Is there a difference between gender expression and gender identity? What are the right kinds of discussions to have?

Carlos’ work in the arts has been focused on inclusion and giving voices to those who need it for years. So if anyone can face these issues with compassion, it is him. We so enjoyed speaking with him this week, and we can’t wait for you to listen!

Check out Carlos’ Website: www.carloslencinias.com

And be sure to listen to his episode on the Houses on the Moon Podcast- An Original Storytelling Series Dedicated to Amplifying the Unheard Voice:

https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/houses-on-the-moon/

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

Recently I relocated to LA because of the Pandemic, I’m single and loving it, but I’m so looking for a serious relationship. Recently I met someone who is a celebrity and we really connected, but while he says he wants a serious relationship, he isn’t showing it. We literally go to his house after a full day of work for him, sit on his couch and fall asleep. It doesn’t feel like dating. What should I do? I want a real relationship, but I’m afraid if I ask for more we won’t even be friends.

Are you raising a child who has a different way of expressing his/her gender? We’d love to hear about your experience. We’re all here to support one another, and your stories matter to us!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#58 - Marathon Man

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Today’s episode is dedicated to all of our runners and would-like-to-be-runners out there. Bret is fresh on the heels of his first half marathon in ten years! The idea to train for the Woodlands Half Marathon was born out of his desire to have a physical goal to reach for in Texas.

In this episode we talk about the mental- not just physical- process to train for a long-distance race like this one. And Bret has found that there are many similarities between being a runner and an actor: Both require you to check in with your body, live in the moment, try your best not to compare yourself with those who seem to be passing you through the metaphorical (and very real) uphill stretches of the race. So for anyone in the performing arts who is thinking of training for the first time… you’ve already been doing a lot of the mental work without knowing it!

Running is inherently a solo activity, but it doesn’t have to be! When we were living in New York, Bret was introduced to some awesome groups that made running more social and fun. Team in Training- https://www.teamintraining.org/ plans cross-training events with coaches and they raise funds to support the Leukemia/Lymphoma foundation. Running buddies and helping a worth cause? Yes please! New York Road Runners https://www.nyrr.org/ is another great nonprofit that hosts races every weekend. And Bret also worked for City Running Tours https://www.cityrunningtours.com/, which was an incredible way to show people around New York (and get paid to work out- Bonus!)

Even if you decide to train solo, race days involve people gathering in some pretty fabulous places. Our personal favorite- as you might have guessed- is Run Disney https://www.rundisney.com/. You can’t help but smile when you’re surrounded by the energy of thousands of other people working towards a goal. Plus all that pixie dust in the air doesn’t hurt. Even Stephen who prefers to cheer from the sidelines loves that one!

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I’ve been ghosted twice during the pandemic and it has traumatized me. I met a guy on an app and he called me daily. When I was home sick with Covid, he kept me company through FaceTime. We had a lot of talks about the future- our dreams, house, our family. And then one day, he just never answered the phone. I thought he was dead. After three days, he called and said “Hey it’s not going to work.” That was it. I’d like to chalk it up to bad luck, but two weeks later… another guy did the same thing! How do I keep hope alive for finding someone who’s trustworthy? Should I stop using dating apps?

Has today’s episode inspired you to dust off those running shoes? Are you training for anything in particular right now? Please tell us about it! We love inspiring stories, and Bret has a number of resources that he’d love to share. Send him a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#57 - Daily Romance

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Love is in the air! And here at the Broadway Husbands Podcast, we want to share our love with all of you. In April, we will have been married ten years! And we dated for three years prior to that. So what do we do to keep romance and connection alive after all this time? Tune into this week’s podcast to find out!

For us, it’s all about speaking each other’s Love Languages. And by Love Languages, we specifically mean Bret needs Stephen to take initiative and Stephen needs Bret to feed him. A lot. Initiative and food. Those are our secrets. But on an even deeper level, speaking each other’s Love Languages means being respectful of the space that we both share, the time we devote to work, and the time when we decide to put our work aside to focus on one another. In Pandemic-mode, it’s so easy to blur these lines. But keeping a clear distinction says not only do I love you, but I also respect you.

We’ve had some memorable Valentine’s dates in the past. And we also try to keep the romance alive every day with little adventures, surprise gifts, surprise meals for Stephen, and uninterrupted quality time.

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from an anonymous listener:

How do you deal with a narcissistic parent? My mother hasn’t even asked about my engagement to my man. When I tell her what I’ve done, she just glosses over it.

When we were first dating, Stephen took a last-minute flight to Orlando just so we could be together. It was a defining moment in our relationship. A moment when things went from “I enjoy spending time with him” to “Woah. He’s about to get on a plane because I’m that important to him.” We still look back on that time and smile thinking about how exciting and romantic it was to be on the brink of something big. How about you? We’d love to hear your romance stories! What was the moment when everything changed?

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#56 - Hi, Are You Single?

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:22:00 -0000

This week’s podcast is extra special, mainly because of our exceptional guest: Ryan J. Haddad. Ryan is a performer/writer/creative soul with a brilliant mind and sharp wit. His incredible one-man show ‘Hi, Are You Single?’ has made audiences across the country laugh and cry for five years and counting. He’s single, ready to mingle, and speaks truth into so many hidden aspects of the gay dating culture. He also has cerebral palsy.

Like in so many pieces that Ryan has created, he presents a well-rounded, fully fleshed out character who is mobility disabled on stage. He does not shy away from it. Instead, he shines a spotlight on it and what it means for his dating life. The result is both hysterical and incredibly heartwarming.

In this interview, we not only discuss ‘Hi, Are You Single?’ but also Ryan’s path to get there, starting with his incredibly supportive family. They saw the bright light in Ryan from a young age and believed he was capable of great things. When he said he wanted to create theatre, they said “Great, we’re in!” As a child, he cast family members, neighbors, his parents’ co-workers… you name it! The followed his direction for eight years! In so many aspects of his life- both on stage and off- his family advocated for him before he could advocate for himself. That support- and his incredible work ethic- lead him to become valedictorian in a school district that would have guided him down the special ed path instead. His story is an inspiring one for sure!

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I don’t like touch. I hate to give hugs. I don’t know if I’m just with the wrong person. But, how do I start to like being touched.

Want to see Ryan’s show? Of course you do! ‘Hi, Are You Single?’ is currently streaming through a collaboration with IAMA Theatre Company and Wolly Mammoth Theatre.

https://www.woollymammoth.net/event/hi-are-you-single

Tickets are $20 and are available this week only, thru Feb 28! Please show him your support. You’ll be glad you did.

Follow Ryan J. Haddad! @ryanjhadaad

www.ryanjhaddad.com

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#55 - Fit for Life

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week’s episode features Jared Reinfeldt and Sam Leicht, and buckle up, because we are about to cover a whole lot of ground! From their own personal performance and fitness journeys to The Lightning Thief's miraculous journey to Broadway. They’re insightful, intentional, and a great match for one another. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it!

You may know Jared and Sam from their huge Instagram following. And while social media is a huge part of their lives- in fact, they met on Instagram!- they have such balance and perspective on their passions outside of show business. They are living proof that you can absolutely make a living pursuing more than one thing at a time. And that other thing- whether it is fitness or coaching or writing or anything else- actually makes you more confident and interesting when you walk in the audition room.

Sam also takes us on the unexpected journey of The Lightning Thief, a show that started as a Theaterworks tour, gained a huge following around the country, and eventually landed on Broadway! Sometimes it’s the most unlikely of projects that go the distance. And that makes it all the sweeter when that unexpected phone comes your way! Don’t you just love show business?

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I want to go to college for Musical theatre, but now because of the pandemic and Broadway still being shut down I am second guessing it. What can I do with a musical theatre degree if there is no musical theatre?

Jared is using this pandemic time to dive even deeper into a cause he cares about, Comfort Cases. Comfort Cases is an organization who provides exactly that- comfort cases to children in the foster system. Whenever a child moves to a new home, instead of putting their belongings in a trash bag, each child is given a Comfort Case filled with a toothbrush, stuffed animal, clothes, and other items to remind the child how very much they matter. We love organizations like this and are always on the lookout for who else we can support so they can continue to support our community. Do you have a favorite organization who is doing great things for the world or your backyard? We’d love to hear about it! Send us a message!

Follow Jared and Sam!

Jared @jaredreinfeldt
Sam @leichtninghealth

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#54 - Broadway vs. Disney

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Jared and Lindsay Bradshaw are dear incredible Broadway performers, loving parents, and two of the most creative and energetic souls you’ll meet. We feel lucky to call them our dear friends. And they’ll feel like yours, too, after you listen to this episode full of candor and joy.

One thing we love the most about Jared and Lindsay is their perspective on decision making and moving forward. Their time together has been full of decisions: where to live, which jobs to accept and which to let go, and when to start a family while maintaining a performance career. When Broadway shut down and decisions had to be made- How will we make money? How long do we wait for Wicked to reopen? Should we leave our New York apartment? If we do, is it forever? What does it all mean?- they simply made the best choice for now and didn’t look back. These “shifts” as they call them, do not need to be forever. They are for now. And once you’ve made one shift, it’s just as easy to shift into something else.

Their most recent shift has landed their family in Orlando, Florida where they are learning new performance and business skills. They’re surrounded by great people, find themselves creating constantly, and even have Magic Kingdom fireworks out their front door! How cool is that? As fellow Disney lovers, that sounds like a mighty fine shift to us.

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from an anonymous listener:

My girlfriend and I are arguing a lot. We’ve been together for three years and are both in high school. What advice can you offer high schoolers in an argument?

Lindsay has learned fifteen new songs since this pandemic started. And she and Jared’s YouTube channel has been a space of great creativity as well. What are you doing to feed your creative soul during this shutdown? Is it an old passion that has been on the back-burner for a while? Or maybe something brand new? We’d love to hear what keeps your inner artist happy and nurtured!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#53 - Back to the Stage

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0000

As you know, we’ve spent a lot of our lives performing on stage. But this week was extra special. This week, Bret was invited to perform his solo show Charming: A Tale of an American Prince for a socially distanced audience- and Stephen got to witness it first hand! Charming is an autobiographical story of Bret’s journey, highlighting some of the exceptional musical theatre and Disney songs sung by princes of every kind. He has performed the show many places over the years, but we both agree that this particular performance in Arkansas will always hold a special place in our hearts.

When the Walton Arts Center asked him to perform, and even made it possible for his amazing music director Tracy Stark to fly in, we were aware of what a special treat this is to perform during a pandemic. But we were not prepared for the flood of emotions! Nerves, excitement, and adrenaline for sure, but also an overwhelming dose of gratitude. When you’ve been on stage as often as we have been, it’s easy to take travel and performances for granted. Not this one. It was such an honor for Bret. And such a walk down memory lane for Stephen to see old familiar songs and remember where we were in our lives when the songs came to us.

Bret has been calling this his Farewell Performance, but life is anything but predictable right now. And it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for this piece that he’s worked so hard to create and adapt to the times. Either way, live theatre is all about the people present right then and there. And right then and there was exceptional!

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes from an anonymous listener:

How can you find people that want relationships and not just sex on apps? It’s been slim pickings so far here in conservative Magnolia TX, I don’t want to drive an hour into Houston.

Have you ever created a solo show? What was your creative process like? And what do you do to get vocally in shape? We’d love to learn more about the ways you express yourself. Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#52 - Wise Young Lovers

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0000

What a treat! Today, we interviewed one of our favorite Instagram couples: Brock Johnson and Taylor Arco! They have wisdom beyond their years when it comes to communication, mental health awareness, faith, and making the most out of this crazy time of life.

Brock and Taylor met in high school, but they were anything but high school sweethearts. It’s clear that they were meant to find each other when the timing was right for both of them. And it’s exciting and inspiring to watch the ways that they encourage each other- and their growing Instagram following- to live full lives.

We cover so much in this episode- from childhood dance-offs to dating and their engagement; from snowboarding and their plans to live in a trailer, to the ever-hilarious adventures with their Instagram star dog Mila. But the thing that struck us the most is how grounded and intentional they both are with their relationship. Early on in their dating lives, they asked one another hundreds of questions- from the mundane “spoon or fork when you eat mac n cheese?” to the substantial “what are you working on in your personal development?” Their hard work shows. They are amazing individuals, and a force to be reckoned with together!

Today’s Spotlight on Love comes from an anonymous listener:

How can you start dating someone during a lockdown state of emergency? Or is it even possible?

Brock and Taylor have intentional check-ins with each other every two weeks where they evaluate the relationship. They ask would they like to spend more or less time together, if there are any concerns or ways to improve, and give one anther encouraging affirmations. Do you and your partner have a ritual that keeps you close and motivates you? We’d love to hear it!

Please follow Taylor and Brock on social!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#51 - Lost In Lost Pines

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0000

It’s a new year, and a great time to shake up your routine and explore new places in your own back yard. We miss traveling so much, and there are actually ways to satisfy your travel bug while staying Covid-conscious. Right now, many hotels have space (and discounts!). And if you can control the travel aspect- for example, driving with your own food and making limited stops- then this is a great time to hit the road.

For us, that meant an amazing getaway to Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, TX. We had a blast and can’t wait to tell you all about it! Our first stop was obviously the spa, where we were delightfully surprised to receive world-class massages. We also loved horseback riding, stargazing, and sitting around beautiful firepits with s’more and great company. Listen to this episode for more details about Lost Pines. It’s a must-visit.

Some other sites in the region to note:

Bastrop, TX - The town of Bastrop itself is absolutely charming, with Christmas lights everywhere. We loved The Gas Station- the actual gas station where Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed. Check out the gift shop for all sorts of horror film memorabilia. If you’re brave enough, you can even stay in cabins overnight!

Lockhart, TX - Has the most picturesque main street. It’s also where one of our favorite films of all time Waiting for Guffman was filmed! That’s right, the fictional town of Blaine, MS was actually filmed in Texas. And you can visit all of your favorite movie sites: the library, the real estate office, the town square, and more.

Smithville, TX - Is a quiet town with plenty of chances for cute photo ops. It’s also where the movie Hope Floats was filmed!

Next week, we’re excited to take another trip while Bret performs at the Fayetteville Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR! He’s so excited to be in front of a live socially-distanced audience again and will perform his solo show ‘Charming’. We’ll keep you all posted on social media. Wishing you a great start to 2021 in the meantime and we’ll see you soon!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#50 - New Years Intentions

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Here we are. A place we only DREAMED of… 2021! Welcome to the other side, friends!

This week’s episode- recorded live over Instagram- is all about the New Year and ways that we can live intentionally.

Our words of 2021 are ABUNDANCE and DECISIVENESS. We’ve decided to sit down twice a month to take inventory of where we are and where we hope to be in the future. Having that regular check-in will help us to ask:

What do you need more of in the next two weeks?
What could you use less of in the next two weeks?
What can I do as your partner to make that possible?

We also take things a step further to ask that brave question: What intentions do you have for your partner this year? It can be hard for someone we love to hold a mirror up to us, but when it’s done with love and growth in mind, we have so much to gain from this. This year, we want each other to do less. To be able to say no. To be more focused on fewer things. To speak up. And- this one is huge- to become fathers together!

Now it’s your turn: What are your intentions for the next two weeks? For the next year? We want to cheer you on and keep you accountable, so reach out and tell us.

We hope you enjoy this episode! And please look out for us on the first of each month when we record another live episode on Instagram.

Wising you all the best of intentions in 2021!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#49 - Holiday Highlights

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This year has been filled with ups and downs, but The Broadway Husbands want to end it on high note! Here are some of our favorite moments with some of our most popular guest from this, our first year of the podcast. Today, we will flip between six couples to share some of the joyful and inspiring things they have to say. First up:

#21 Chris Rice and Clay Thompson

Broadway star-couple and newlyweds Christopher Rice and Clay Thomson discuss their beautiful wedding planning, being influencers, their long distance love, and our mutual passion for all things Disney.

Follow Chris: http://instagram.com/chrisriceny
Follow Clay: http://instagram.com/clayricethomson

#15 Adam Hyndman and Brad Gibson

Broadway vets and soon-to-be Broadway Husbands Adam Hyndman and Brad Gibson share an inspiring talk about integrity amidst internalized homophobia in the business, and respecting the evolution of theatre canon when it comes to race and gender.

Follow Adam: https://www.instagram.com/adam_hyndman/
Follow Bradley: https://www.instagram.com/bradgibson13/

#27 Alexandra Billings and Chrisanne Blankenship

We discuss Alexandra Billings and Chrisanne Blankenship’s company Schmangie productions, dedicated to writing and creating work for marginalized people and telling their stories.

Follow Chrisanne: https://www.instagram.com/schmengieinc/
Follow Alexandra: http://www.intagram.com/therealalexandrabillings

#35 The Shufords

We take a trip to Texas to interview Bret’s parents, Deanna and Preston Shuford.

#34 The Hannas

Next stop: Pittsburgh, PA to interview Marcella Hanna and Ed Hanna (aka Stephen’s mom and dad).

#45 Robyn Hurder and Clyde Alves

When you talk to old friends, nothing is off limits: their early impressions of one another, dating, moving in, the decision to become parents, first grade in the pandemic, Instagram… you name it. Robyn and Clyde are ready to talk about it!

Follow Robyn: https://www.instagram.com/robynhurder/?hl=en
Follow Clyde: https://www.instagram.com/alvesface/?hl=en

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#48 - Family Building with Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week’s episode is extra special because it combines all sorts of things we love: our friends, theatre, husbands, building a business, following your heart, and starting a family. Without further ado, we give you: Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey! Today, we discuss their journey from the stage to founding Elevate, a remarkable full-service egg donor agency.

Kyle and Taylor’s desire to help other couples become parents actually came from their own struggles as two gay men in this heteronormative business. The surrogacy process is long and emotional regardless, but there are certain challenges unique to same sex couples. Instead of accepting those challenges and subtle hints that parents should look a certain way, Kyle and Taylor saw a way to make things better. They followed their hearts and created a beautiful, inclusive solution for everyone traveling the same path behind them. It’s great to see their teamwork, their support, and love for one grow right along with this awesome business.

Like Kyle and Taylor, we feel that becoming a parent is one of greatest gifts life can offer. We’re going through the process of becoming dads right now, in fact! It’s been a dream for a long time, and we’re closer to that dream than ever before, but it still takes a team to make that dream a reality. In Elevate’s case, every single member of the team has been through IVF or has donated or has been a surrogate, which is incredibly unique and comforting. In more ways than one, Kyle and Taylor are building families. What an incredible gift to share with the world!

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE come to us from our listener Emmett:

I have been in a long distance relationship for three years, and Covid is making it harder than ever to visit each other. Any tips on how to still build our relationship?

Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey are a couple that loves change and movement. When they wanted to talk about having children on date #2, they let it happen. When their careers took them on this unexpected journey, they embraced it and didn’t look back. We think that this is such a rare and inspiring gift for a couple to process. How about you? When have you been faced with the option to take a new path? We’d love to hear your stories!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#47 - Entrepreneur Life

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 22:03:00 -0000

Let’s talk about being an entrepreneur! If you would have asked us a few years ago if we’d both be running our own businesses- and loving it!- we probably would have laughed. But here we are! In addition to being the Broadway Husbands, Stephen teaches ballet to students and professionals from all over the world. Bret is the Broadway Life Coach, helping to coach entrepreneurs and creative multi-hyphenated individuals achieve their goals. And together, we run the Broadway Life Apparel brand! We’ve learned so much along the way and share a lot of those lessons in this episode.

For us, the entrepreneurial life is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Quite the opposite. And instead of looking at a situation and asking how we can make money, we always start with the step of how can we help people. The money part will follow. We’ve learned that it can take a long time- and we’re talking years!- to nurture our creative selves to the point where we're ready to nurture our creative community as a whole. We feel very fortunate that our businesses involve our actual passion of performing. It means there’s no flipping a switch between these two parts of life. They are fully integrated, and both make our hearts skip a beat.

But along the way, we have struggled with the voices of many other people in our heads. We have felt like imposters when we are literally experts at what we teach. And like almost every entrepreneur we know, we have felt like we’re behind some imaginary deadline. There’s no getting around those feelings. But the perks of the job far outweigh the struggles. We get such a thrill out of helping people who are on the verge of something actually realize their dreams. There’s no greater joy than that.

How about you? Are you an entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level? What was your journey to get you there? We’d love to hear all about it and support you on this path. Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#46 - Having It All and Finding Yourself with David Burtka

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Today, we spend some time chatting with Broadway star, superstar chef, and family man David Burtka! David’s life is an open book, and his generous spirit is contagious. We discuss it all: his journey from Michigan to New York (and the dear friends and collaborators he met along the way), his incredible theatrical career, his meeting Neil Patrick Harris in 2007, their marriage in 2014, and now their parenting two beautiful children.

If we learn just one thing from David Burtka, it’s that we do not need to put all of our creativity eggs in one basket. He’s an actor who excels both on stage and on screen. He’s a professional chef. He’s a father, a husband, and an artist in so many senses of the word. We’re inspired by the really unique path his life has taken so far, and his openness to whatever the future might bring.

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from an anonymous listener:

I feel like my extended family isn’t taking Covid as seriously as I am. But I don’t want to be the annoying person in the family who is the party pooper over the holidays. What advice do you have around setting boundaries around Covid during the holiday season?

David Burtka has helped to raise not one but two sets of twins! We were particularly excited to talk parenting as we are currently in the process of starting our own family. What parenting advice to do you have to share with us? How has being a parent changed and enriched your life? We’ll take any and all advice and absolutely love stories. So send them our way! Looking forward to hearing from you.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#45 - Robyn Hurder and Clyde Alves: The Tony Award for Parenting Goes to....

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

What a treat to interview our dear friends and Broadway Power Couple Robyn Hurder and Clyde Alves! Currently in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, Robyn’s other Broadway credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chicago, The Wedding Singer, Grease, and Nice Work If You Can Get It, where she and Clyde performed together. You may have seen Clyde in Broadway’s On The Town, Anything Goes, Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, Hairspray, and Oklahoma. Quite the list, right?

Their love story started at the age of 19 at Maine State Music Theatre. They have been each other’s biggest support and cheerleader through more shows and travels and changes than you can imagine. We love their energy, humor, teamwork, and their unfailing love for each other and this business that brought them together. It’s been our great pleasure to watch their love grow over the years, and evolve into a full-on triangle when they became parents to their amazing son.

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from our listener Jason:

How do you stay sane as a couple being together in quarantine 24 hours a day? What are some suggestions?

Robyn and Clyde knew that their relationship was going to last when they could say absolutely anything in front of one another. Without meaning to, they created a safe space where everything was allowed. How about you? What was the moment that told you this relationship is going to go the distance? We love relationship stories. Go ahead. Tell us yours!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#44 -Back to Beaumont

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

It all started with a trip home to Beaumont, TX for a high school football game and a post on Instagram. (Isn’t that how all good stories unfold?) We drove to Bret’s hometown to see family and support his niece in the marching band. And after we shared a photo on social media, the city of Beaumont reached out asking if we’d like to collaborate. This was so much more than a polite gesture and a two-day trip back to Beaumont to create content. To us, it was a sign of open-mindedness and inclusivity from a community that Bret often had trouble relating to as a child who just wanted to sing and dance on Broadway. We graciously accepted their invitation, and we’re so glad we did!

We had a wonderful couple days in Beaumont, which we discuss in this episode. It’s a charming town that is absolutely worth a visit. Here is a link to the city of Beaumont’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitbeaumonttx/

We often have a complicated relationship with our hometown, especially when we move somewhere vastly different as adults. In Bret’s case, he feels like he spent his twenties trying to pretend like he never grew up there and his thirties trying to accept that he grew up there. Now in his forties, he is living there with his husband! We know many of our listeners are facing something similar with moving back home as adults and we’d love to hear your stories! How are you thriving in your hometown? What struggles are you facing? Send us a message!

Here are a couple more links that we discuss in this week’s episode:

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from our listener Mallory:

I’ve returned to my small town after being away for three years. And while I love my job, I’m only 28 and single. Finding men to date here seems impossible. They’re all either too busy or just want to hook up. What do you suggest to meet a man that I might find intellectually attractive- as well as physically attractive- while trying to live in a small town?

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#43 - Our Fitness Routine

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Let’s talk fitness! Our fitness routines have changed quite a bit since we met. Staying fit for your Broadway show and ballet company in you early 20’s is a completely different ballgame from today. We’ve gone through different phases: personal trainers, pilates, nutritionists, and weight lifting. And today, we’re sharing that fitness evolution with all of you in the hopes that it will inspire someone listening.

We’re finding as we’re away from New York during the Pandemic that we have to be intentional about walking. In New York, walking is a given. There’s no escaping a walk to the subway, to work, to home, and up a whole bunch of stairs in the process. And now that we don’t have that built in workout, we have to be intentional. And it’s fun! It’s a great way to stay connected to each other and learn our new neighborhood. It just takes planning.

And at the same time, we’re learning to be kind to our bodies and not overdo it. A mirror as a performer can be a double-edged sword. It sheds light on things we want to improve, which is both a motivator and a hinderance to self-esteem. Thank goodness for the following resources:

This week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes to us from an anonymous listener:

My wife wants to make a consistent workout routine. And I find that sometimes I’m a bad influence on them because I don’t hold them accountable. What can I do to support them on this goal when it isn’t something I feel I need to do?

We have both found that our happiness is tied to physical movement. What kind of movement makes you happy these days? Running outside? Lifting weights in a home gym? Cardio dance party alone in your apartment? Who are your favorite trainers online? We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#42 - Sharing Our Space

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Hello listeners! This week, we discus sharing our space- both physically and metaphorically. Couples often face challenges and compromises when asked to cohabitate. But sharing space during a Pandemic is the next level! It also means making room for each other’s careers, not just a couple extra pairs of shoes in the closet. For us, this time of great change has meant sharing spaces three different cities- New York, Pittsburgh, and now Houston. And with each move comes an adjustment period.

In this episode, we discuss ways that we’ve made space for both Bret’s coaching business and Stephen’s ballet classes. It’s been one big trial and error (and no, having Bret in the bedroom with no air conditioning so that Stephen can teach in the living room was not our best idea) and we’re still making compromises to this day. But we’ve learned an awful lot along the way.

We also learned how to make space for one another by syncing our calendars and discussing our schedules. Such a small thing has made a huge impact on our communication as a couple and we highly recommend it to everyone listening as well. Tune in for more details on how we do it and how we want to improve our system in the future!

Here are some links discussed in today’s podcast:

Today’s Spotlight on Love is shining a big light on our Love for America. Please vote. And vote early. Vote now, in fact. Right now while you’re listening to this podcast. If you love the arts, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color, we strongly encourage you to Vote Blue today. Tag us with your “I Voted” sticker. This is an incredibly uncertain time. And exercising your right to vote gives you the feeling of hope and optimism. Let us know that you’re doing your part to make this country the best that it can be so we can all do what we were born to do… Act, sing, dance, and love each other!"

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#41 - Our Skin Care Routine

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Let’s talk skin care! If there’s one thing you can count on with the Broadway Husbands, it’s transparency. We are unapologetically living our lives, pursuing our passions, and sharing what we learn along the way. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about how to take care of our skin.

When you share your life (and your bathroom) with a partner, there’s no use hiding your skin care routines. And as your skin changes over the years, your daily regiment needs to adjust accordingly. We discuss it all in this week’s episode: from teenage acne to botox, from skin peels to plastic surgery. These topics are taboo in many circles, but in a line of work where your face is your career, it’s about time we bring these topics out of the shadows! Let’s help each other to keep our skin healthy at all stages of life.

We are not dermatologists, and we highly recommend you see yours regularly like we do before adding something new to your daily regiment. But we’d love to share some links to the products we love best:

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes to us from an anonymous listener:

In preparation for Halloween, I took my 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter to shop for costumes. My son wanted to wear Rapunzel. I told him that I didn’t want people to make fun of him, and now I feel guilty. I feel like I put out his light a little. I talked to him and said people can be mean, and I don’t want to see him get hurt. I’m also afraid that he could wear these outfits now and then be embarrassed that he did so in the future. But I’m not sure if that is the right way to approach this. How can I protect my son and allow him to express his true self?

Thank you for listening to this week’s episode. What are the skin care products that work best for you? We’re always on the lookout for new ideas. Send us a message. We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#40 - Our Mental Health Journey

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 12:50:00 -0000

This week, we take a deep dive into a topic that we both feel so passionate about: Mental Health. With the upcoming election, the ongoing pandemic, and this week’s announcement of an extended Broadway shutdown, our heads are swirling. And our hearts are with our performing arts community while our industry is almost completely closed. As we learn to navigate this new path, we could all benefit from a more open dialogue surrounding Mental Health.

Like everyone, we have good weeks and okay weeks and really hard weeks. And our road to get here has been far from easy. We had many challenges through childhood and adolescence- some internal and some external. In different ways, we numbed the pain with drugs and alcohol. Thanks to therapists, AA, and the decision every single day not to use, Bret is celebrating sixteen years sober and Stephen is celebrating fourteen years sober this week! It’s still a lifelong struggle, but we’re on a happier, healthier path now. And we’re able to help others because of where we’ve been.

As a dear friend once told us, we look at therapy like going to the gym. We go to therapy to maintain a healthy mental state. If stopped going to the gym all together, our body would decay. Same with our emotional state. Sure, therapy is helpful when there’s a crisis. But it’s the dozens of sessions you attend between the huge peaks and valleys of life that actually help make you… YOU!

This week, instead of a Spotlight on Love, we would like to remind all of our listeners that “It’s okay not to be okay.” If you’re struggling with mental health, you are certainly not alone. We highly recommend The Actors Fund for helping you find a social worker. And if you’re struggling with addiction, please take a look at AA.org. We both owe our lives (and our life together!) to AA. You do not have to take this journey alone.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#39 - Quarantine Marriage with Ryan Vona and Caitlin Houlahan

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Ryan Vona and Caitlin Houlahan are Broadway performers with a relationship that’s worthy of a standing ovation. They’re also dear friends of ours. So we were delighted to have them as this week’s podcast guests!

Ryan and Caitlin met and knew almost instantly that they would be together for life. They are open and honest with communication. They’ve learned how to do long distance in a healthy way that keeps both of them sane and happy. They celebrate each other’s victories in this challenging and amazing career. So how are they holding up with the latest curve ball life has thrown… planning (and re-planning) a wedding and living with each other’s parents during the Pandemic?

They had planned a beautiful wedding in Ireland this summer, and when that wasn’t in the cards, they adjusted. Caitlin had just gotten settled into her cozy dressing room for her second Broadway show Girl from the North Country. Like all shows on Broadway, hers is closed. They had planned to live in their beautiful New York apartment to celebrate their first year of marriage. They came up with a new plan instead. They roll with the punches. And that is truly the key to a lasting marriage. We knew the first time we saw them together how deep this love was. And it only grows stronger through this Pandemic.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes from an anonymous listener:

What do I do if the guy I’m “casually” seeing now wants to be friends. Is that even possible, how do I keep it from being awkward?

If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode. Also, to guarantee you receive our advice consider becoming a patron on Patreon and you can join us on a live to ask your question. Check out this plus an array of other benefits at patreon.com/broadwayhusbands for more details.

Ryan and Caitlin have a complicated relationship with social media right now. Do you feel like the Pandemic has caused you to use social media in a new way now that in-person socializing is more infrequent? Has it become a larger or smaller part of your life? We’re fascinated by this topic and would love to hear your experiences. Send us a message!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#38 - Mother Knows Best with Deedee Magno

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:12:00 -0000

Where are our 1990s Mickey Mouse Club fans? Oh there you are! Us too! If you watched the show religiously every day after school, dreamed of joining the Club, and even wrote fan letters to the gang (okay, maybe that was just Bret) then this episode is for you! We were beyond excited to interview Deedee Magno, who appeared on the Mickey Mouse Club, Sister Act 2, Wicked, and Miss Saigon among many other shows.

Deedee approaches her career like she does marriage and motherhood- with grace and wisdom. She and her husband Cliffton are both in the business. (They met on the Miss Saigon tour as 19-year-olds!) And as they have raised amazing kids who get to see two parents pursuing their dreams, her best piece of parenting advice is to simply relax and be kind to yourself. You will make mistakes. Each child will have completely different personalities. There is no rule book. And if there is one, it changes the moment you finish reading. Just forgive yourself and do the very best you can today. We love that advice for a career in show business, too!

Disney fans will be delighted by Deedee’s latest project: The release of Swingin’ with the Mouse where she will be singing a jazz rendition of “Mother Knows Best” from Disney’s Tangled. There’s a special digital event on October 4th at 8pm EST to celebrate the release. We hope you’ll join us in supporting Deedee and her fellow artists.

This week’s Spotlight on Love comes from an anonymous listener:

How do you deal (or do you even deal) with someone who is emotionally unavailable? Especially if you seem to like each other...is it worth it to pursue? Or should you observe the red flag and move on?

Deedee Mango mentions a few choices that she had to make as a young performer that ended up shaping the trajectory of her career. She was offered the chance to appear in Miss Saigon several years before her parents felt that she was ready. And her waiting actually allowed the stars to line to get her closer to actually playing her dream role, Kim. What big career decisions have you made? When you look back at them now, do you feel they lead you to right where you needed to be? Send us a message with your stories!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#37 - Ask Us Anything

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Today’s podcast was so much fun… Rapid fire questions from you, our listeners! This was the first time we tried this format, and it won’t be the last. We loved your questions! Our favorite aspect of social media has always been the “social” part. And it’s episodes like this that remind us that social media is a two-way street. So if you have questions- or just want to learn more about us- we are an open book. Ask us… anything!

In this episode, we discuss everything from the Broadway and babies to 90s pop music and Texas! Here are some of our favorite questions from you!

What is the audition process like on Broadway?
When can we expect to see new t-shirt designs?
What is the most memorable character you’ve ever played?
What three words would you use to describe each other?
Where do you see yourselves in one year?
How has Miss ‘Rona been treating you?

Tune in to hear our answers!

Would you like to ask us a question during our next Q&A podcast? Send us a message on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#36 - How To Stay In Your Power with Barrett Martin and Megan Sikora

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 02:29:00 -0000

Megan Sikora and Barrett Martin are a Broadway Power Couple! Between the two of them, they have performed in 20 Broadway shows! (That’s ten each for anyone keeping score at home.) They met performing in Wicked when Megan wasn’t in the mood to fall in love. But when Barrett lifted her during a rehearsal, and a bolt of electricity shot through her body, she knew it was unavoidable. And around the same time, Barrett turned to a fellow cast mate in the wings and called it: “I’m going to marry her someday.” Perfect timing or not, true love cannot be stopped.

Since then, they have worked together and worked apart. They got married, have a son, and still continue to perform, teach, inspire, and balance incredible careers. So what is their secret to having it all? You only have to speak with Megan and Barrett for a moment to see their incredible teamwork and shared perspective. Becoming parents actually solidified their love for their craft even more. We love the way they love each other, their family, and our industry as a whole. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do!

This Week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes from an anonymous listener:

I recently moved in with my boyfriend and on a few occasions now he has lost his temper and kicked me out of the apartment because he said I wasn’t listening to him. Most recently he told me he wants to work through it. Am I setting myself up for disappointment by staying?

What is the best way to stay in my power and stay in the relationship?

Megan and Barrett both had that moment of absolute clarity when they looked at their future partner and said "Yep. He/She is the ONE." Have you ever experienced this? Or was it more of a slow realization? Drop us a line. We’d love to hear your love story!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#35 - Podcast Parents - The Shufords

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

This week’s podcast comes to you from Texas. After a wonderful interview with Stephen’s parents last week, we had a great time interviewing Deanna and Preston Shuford (aka Bret’s Mom and Dad)! We’re really glad we did these two interviews back-to-back. Although their love stories were unfolding at roughly the same time, their experiences in dating, engagement, and marriage couldn’t be more different.

The first time Deanna ever saw her future husband was when a friend literally stopped her in her bike tracks and said “You have got to meet this guy. He’s just darling!” Two weeks later, they moved in with each other. You read that right: two weeks! Soon after, they were engaged and married in a massive thunderstorm- with a clap of thunder right at “I Do”. An ominous sign for the long and joyful relationship that still continues to this day. In a four-year span, they moved six times and had four kids! And through all that, they learned that you can do more than you think you can, and that you’re stronger than you think you are. Great advice even in 2020, right?

This Week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes from an anonymous listener:

I’ve been going on long trips with a friend. He’s just a friend- and we like it that way. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, but I find myself fantasizing about us being more. I really love him, but I’m not sure how find out how he feels about me without destroying the good thing we have going. I’m so afraid I’m never going to find a real partner since my divorce, but I have so much fun with him. How do I find out how he feels without ruining our friendship?

Deanna and Preston hardly knew anything about each other when they moved in together. Preston even said “You’ve never asked me what I do for a living. Don’t you want to know?” At what point in your relationships- past or present- did you decide to move in together? What were the biggest surprises you discovered after you were both under the same roof? Drop us a line. We’d love to know!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#34 - Podcast Parents - The Hannas

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

This week’s podcast comes to you from Pittsburgh, PA. We had a fascinating interview with Marcella Hanna and Ed Hanna (aka Mom and Dad) who have just celebrated 50 years of marriage! Stephen’s parents take us back in time to the 1960s to learn the origins of their love story. And what a story it is!

The first time Marcella ever saw her future husband was at the law firm where they both worked. Ed was doing back flips down the hallway! She had no idea he was a ballet dancer (or that someday, they would have a ballet dancer for a son) but that certainly caught her attention. Their early years of dating, engagement, family conflicts, the Navy, moving, learning to live together, and trying to start a family were anything but easy. But the love was always there. And it still is today. They are a true inspiration.

This Week’s SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE comes from our listener Jeremiah:

I am talking to this guy and he says we are just friends, but it feels like there have been times that it has felt like more even though nothing has happened. He tells me he is on and off with his boyfriend. He has asked me to go to Savannah with him, where he has planned socially-distanced activities. It all feels very unclear what our relationship is, but I want to go because Quarantine has been lonely. Ugh!!!! Help me! I want to go to go and be with him, but does this sound like bad news.

Marcella and Ed love the phrases “Everybody wants to be loved” and “Never say never.” What are some words of wisdom that your parents or grandparents have shared with you over the years? How have those words shaped the person you are today? Shoot us a message on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#33 - Driving to Texas

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Join us for our last full day in the car! (At least for now.) This time, our Chevy HRR is bound for Texas!

We were lucky enough to see Bret’s college roommate outside of Franklin, TN last night. Actually, we’ve seen a whole lot of Shuford family members along this three-day journey. It’s great to catch up with our friends and family in person instead of just on the phone or through social media. Especially during the Covid crisis, any small form of connection feels monumental. Even six feet apart, it’s nice to reconnect. We always intend to get an early start when we hit the road, but it’s hard to say goodbye to these special people we catch along the way.

It’s an exciting and resourceful time for us, as Stephen has officially accepted a job in Houston for the Fall season! We’re so excited for this new chapter for both of us. While cruising down the highway (and stopping for the occasional beignet at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans) we reminisce about college memories for Bret and what Stephen’s experiences were in the ballet world during those formative years.

While this episode does not have a SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE, it definitely finds us reflecting on all of our friends and loved ones around the country right now. We’re seeing a lot of the country this week and have memories with so many of you in these places.

What was the most epic road trip you’ve ever taken? And what do you do in the car to pass the time? Shoot a message on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#32 - Moving Out of NYC

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hop in the car! We are taking you on a ride with us to Texas.

Stephen has officially accepted a job in Houston for the Fall season so we are heading down there temporarily. While riding in the car we took a moment to tell you the drama from moving out of NYC during COVID. Having moved three times in the last 2 years we are becoming somewhat experts at the moving experience.

We took a suggestion to try MakeSpace even though the best moving company we have ever used is Roadway Moving. On our move to Charleston we used Dumbo moving. Getting through the packing process was a bit daunting while also working from home with our respective businesses.

There is no SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE this week, but join us in the car next week for Part 2 of our road trip to moving to TEXAS.

What are your suggestions for moving? Shoot a message on instagram.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#31 - Selling Our Home

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hey There Listener! We didn’t make much of an effort but our amazing friend and broker Justin Parks sold our Manhattan apartment, and we are officially on the road. We are going to be documenting our journey for the next several months here on the podcast! So many of our friends have exited New York City for the time being, and we have joined the fray.

If you’re looking to sell or buy a place in Manhattan, we cannot recommend our friends Justin Parks, and our lawyer Jared Presberg, as well as the Actor’s Federal Credity Union who helped us finance our mortgage. Go check all of them out here:

SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE from our Instagram follower Jacob

So my and my ex bf started dating at the beginning of COVID and then broke up at the end of the “lockdown” in May. So I’m 20 and he is 20 years older than me and ever since the breakup we have been friends and we still hang out a lot and watch drag race and such together. And we will still like sit on the couch and cuddle while watching and we do still kiss and make out and such. And I don’t want to ruin the friendship but I also don’t want it to turn back into a relationship because I know that I’m not what’s best for him especially since we are in very different stages of our lives. So I was wondering what your take on it would be? If we should just be normal friends or if you guys think this is “normal”. I came out in September of 2018 so I haven’t been out long at all and I was engaged to my first bf so my gay life has not really been normal lol so that’s why I’m looking for advice.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#30 - Feather Duster and the Beast with Meredith Inglesby and Steve Blanchard

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0000

Meredith and Steve are two people in the industry that we actually consider family. Steve’s Broadway credits include being the longest running Beast in Beauty and the Beast, among many others. By the way if you’re looking for the definition of a mullet google images of Steve Blanchard in Camelot starring Robert Goulet.

Meredith Inglesby is originally from Hilton Head SC but she knew she needed to be creative so she began her professional career. Thanks to Disney Theatrical she made her debut and met her now husband Steve playing Babbette in Beauty and the Beast.

We discuss how to manage your life doing 8 shows a week for a long run. How they began their “showmance” to becoming parents of their daughter Wren.

They managed to raise Wren while touring the country for most of her first few years on the planet while doing the Newsies national tour. They are true optimists and have so much beautiful insight into the industry.

Follow them on Social media:

Also mentioned on the podcast:

Check out Steve’s cast recording of Sundown: Original Studio Cast

SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE

I’m in quarantine with my spouse in their hometown and we both have become very aware of her family’s drinking. Especially her brother who every time we see him he is in some state of enebriation. How do we address this without making our living situation more uncomfortable than the virus has already made it. anonymous

If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode. Also, to guarantee you recieve our advice consider becoming a patron on patreon and you can join us on a live to ask your question. Check out this plus an array of other benefits at patreon.com/broadwayhusbands for more details.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#29 - Going Whole 30

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

LOVER! Don’t forget to help support our channel by purchasing our merchandise at Broadway Life Apparel, visit http://broadwaylifeapparel.com

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Whole 30 requires you to limit and eliminate your intake of legumes, dairy, sugar, and grain among other things. Your body processes all of these things differently. Bret lost a lot of weight doing Whole 30 and Stephen’s body processed it differently.

The book that really helped us to understand and create a routine around WHOLE 30 is the Whole 30 Day by day book. https://amzn.to/30YVU0H

Becoming a fan of whole 30 has been one of the healthiest decisions we ever made, and we couldn’t recommend it more. Eating clean right now in quarantine has helped balance the anxiety and to keep our energy up as we work from home.

SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE

Wondering about ways to rekindle the sexual spark in our relationship.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#28 - Our Love Language

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Visit us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

Online: BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/BroadwayHusbands

We are proud members of the Broadway Podcast Network.

Help make a difference to those of us in the arts by purchasing http://BroadwayLifeApparel.com

Bret works with artists and entrepreneur’s to build a reputation online and in person. Check out Bret’s coaching at http://bretshuford.com/coach and join Stephen’s ballet classes at by checking out http://stephenrhanna.com

On this episode we take the Love Languages quiz based on the book Gary Chapman: https://amzn.to/2YqdWIX

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life?

Take the quiz and tell us your love language?

Bret is Acts of Service, and Stephen is Quality Time

SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE

I’m thinking about moving to Seattle with my boyfriend We’ve been dating long-distance for three years. Is now a good time to move in together?

If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode. Also, to guarantee you receive our advice consider becoming a patron on patreon and you can join us on a live to ask your question. Check out this plus an array of other benefits at patreon.com/broadwayhusbands for more details.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#27 - Lifelong Love with Alexandra Billings and Chrisanne Blankenship

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hey There Summer Lovers! Don’t forget to help support our channel by purchasing our merchandise at Broadway Life Apparel, visit: http://broadwaylifeapparel.com

This week’s guests are two humans you will not soon forget!

Alexandra Billings is an award winning actress who has been in the theatre and has also been a featured on many TV shows: most recently Disney’s Diary of a Female President, Transparent, Goliath, and performed at Steppenwolf and with Bret as Madame Morrible in Wicked on Broadway.

Chrisanne Blankenship is a celebrated a critically acclaimed Director from Chicago, and is a producer and writer.

They met in Schaumburg High School and were married in 1996 where they acted together in the high school plays. On this episode they share their engagement story King Crab in Chicago and how the got married at the Bailiwick Chicago.

Together they have started Schmangie productions and are writing and creating work for marginalized people and their stories.

Make sure to follow them on all of their accounts:

This week’s Spotlight on Love question: My current partner is still best friends with their ex. I feel really insecure about their relationship. What can I do to be supportive and still let them be friends without getting jealous?

If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode. Also, to guarantee you recieve our advice consider becoming a patron on patreon and you can join us on a live to ask your question. Check out this plus an array of other benefits at patreon.com/broadwayhusbands for more details.

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network.Thanks to David Dabbon for our theme music and to Sophie Kay Photography for our image.

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#26 - Blended Family Life with Heidi Blickenstaff & Nicholas Rohlfing

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Heidi Blickenstaff’s amazing performing career has recently been highlighted by her breakout feature role in Disney’s Freaky Friday. She and Bret met as understudies in the original Broadway cast of Broadway’s the Little Mermaid. She met her now husband while doing a production of the Who’s Tommy while dating other people. During this episode we discuss how they met and fell in love, and how the sparks flew during an understudy rehearsal.

Both Nicholas and Heidi have the experience of being married before and Nicholas has children as well, and their perspective on becoming a blended family is fascinating. Heidi even wrote vows to his sons.

Their mission right now is to create awareness around current issues with the PSA programs such as GenZ Stay Home and Gen Z Go Vote. Raising awareness for the Gen Z folks to be conscious of their contributions to the world at this time. They’ve now become producers and creators together, something we have learned a lot about.

These two folks are such an inspiration and prove you can love who you love and love what you do! Go support their initiatives and give them a follow.

This week’s Spotlight on Love question: “What are ways I could meet people to date? I am a 17 year old lesbian in a small town?"

Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org

DM us on Instagram and we might just answer your question on a future episode!

A big shout out to our friend and the composer of our theme music David Dabbon, and to the amazing We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network: http://bpn.fm/husbands

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#25 - I love My Wife, Kelli and Anne

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Anne Steele and Kelli Carpenter are a magical couple who inspire LGBTQ couples with their weekly podcast I LOVE MY WIFE. Kelly is a master at family travel having founded Zel travel and R Family vacations. Anne is a noted vocalist who has traveled the world to sing and is currently doing on line concerts to fundraise for City Harvest.

On this episode we discuss how they first met and Anne coming out as “Lesbi Anne.” Kelli says,

“She was funny and she was smart and all the things that are way more important to me than look she’s beautiful and talented that’s amazing, but smart and funny are way up in the list”

Stephen asks them his favorite question, “Who Said I Love you first?” and the joys of blending a family while going on a family cruise. (it includes a lot of making out in the hallway) .

Check out their feature in the NY TIMES from their wedding.

Anne’s performing life has been an amazing journey from restaurant row’s Don’t Tell Mama to major cruises, she’s made a name for herself, and Kelli has helped her do it.

They’re so loving to each other and to their four kids we ask them for ways to combat racism and homophobia. Their passion for protesting to help by joining the Women’s March and the tax March

This week’s Spotlight on Love question:

How to optimize communication when one partner isn’t as emotionally emotive as the other?

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A big shout out to our friend and the composer of our theme music David Dabbon, and to the amazing We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network: http://bpn.fm/husbands

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#24 - How Do I Know if He Really Loves Me? with the Crafty Lumberjacks

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

The Crafty Lumberjack Dennis Setteducati and Andrew Boza are both actors who met while traveling on the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof! Oy!

Along with coffee, crafting and Netflix, they have a love for the holidays and decorating! This love lead to their successful and ever growing blog and Instagram, which aims at giving their followers some quick, easy and affordable inspiration!

The have appeared on The Chew and The Rachael Ray Show and can be seen on the HGTV Handmade Youtube Channel.

They have performed all over the United States and Canada and have been featured on several publications including Buzzfeed, DIY Network blog, Urban Bear, Gay Star News, The Vegan Roadie and the lifestyle magazine, Sweet Paul.

We discuss our lives in Astoria Queens the first home that we had was in Astoria, and these two craft-makers make their home there. They met performing on a National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof. How appropriate for the Broadway Husbands Podcast! It was there that they discovered a passion for blogging, crafting, and each other.

Since then they have built a name for themselves online with their blog and with HGTV. Learn about how they fell in love, their passion for performing, being vegan, and ways that you can get crafty in quarantine.

In our Segment SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE, our listener asks:

What are some things I can ask if he is interested on FB messenger?

A big shout out to our friend and the composer of our theme music David Dabbon, and to the amazing We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network: http://bpn.fm/husbands

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#23 - Talking Money with Kyle Boen & Cameron Hinkle

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 16:59:00 -0000

Happy Pride Month! Check out our Pride Collection on Broadway Life Apparel where we are donating all profits to the Trevor Project.

Kyle Boen and Cameron Hinkle have established an amazing presence online with their individual instagram accounts, but they both have made a life together in Franklin TN. Kyle is an artist and lifestyle blogger and Cameron is an inspirational photographer.

In this episode, we ask them What is it like to work in Franklin Tennessee as artists? Who said I love you first?

How often do you go to Dollywood? If you were a Dolly Parton song, which one would you be?

What is going on in Tennessee with reopening?

How has the pandemic affected your art? And relationship?

What have you thought about during the pandemic that you have never really thought about before?

If you could spend quarantine with anyone dead or alive who would it be? What have you learned about each other during this time that you didn't already know about each other? What do you find is the hardest thing about keeping your content going?

Make sure to follow Kyle:

Check out Cameron:

This week’s “Spotlight On Love” question comes from Matthew on Instagram : I’M SCARED TO TALK TO MY PARTNER ABOUT MONEY—WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT?

A big shout out to our friend and the composer of our theme music David Dabbon, and to the amazing We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network: http://bpn.fm/husbands

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#22 - Long Distance Dating with Michael Lindsay & Matthew Schueller

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hey Listeners! We want to let you know about a couple of opportunities to help us help out during this time. Check out our Pride Collection on Broadway Life Apparel where we are donating all profits to the Trevor Project, and we just created a new design to help put more people of color in positions of power in the arts by donating to Arts Administrators of Color.

If you want to help make a difference as well, check out: Broadway Together on the Broadway Podcast Network. There are so many opportunities to help the community right now and make a real difference.

This week's We have a theme this month of popular LGBTQ Instagram Influencer accounts, and today is one of the most popular accounts Michael and Matt. This beautiful couple are able to balance their work in the medical field, creative careers as photographers and travel bloggers. To see their content and their hilarious youtube videos is to be inspired as a content creator.

On this episode we discuss their ability to balance their careers, buying a house, ideas for adoption vs. surrogacy, This week’s spotlight on love question comes from Matthew on Instagram : So I’m back home in Alabama during quarantine but I live in NYC but this guy and I have been talking for over a month and we’ve really hit it off and we want to see where things go but worry about the distance once quarantine is over cause he’ll have to stay in AL for another year and half. Is Long distance relationships possible?

Follow Michael and Matthew:

https://www.michaelandmatt.com/
https://www.instagram.com/michaelandmatt/

A big shout out to our friend and the composer of our theme music David Dabbon, and to the amazing Broadway Podcast Network

We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network http://bpn.fm/husbands

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Using White Access to Challenge Racism

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 18:02:00 -0000

Consider supporting and following a handful of organizations led by BIPOC. Some of the organizations we recommend:

The Audre Lorde project https://alp.org/ - The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focused on the New York City area
Ali Forney Center - LGBTQ Youth experiencing homelessness. The youth is our future and the way to a future that is empowered for ALL people.
LGBTQ Freedom Fund lgbtqfund.org - The Freedom Fund posts bail to secure the safety and liberty of people in jail and immigration detention.
Arts Administrators of Color Network - https://aacnetwork.org/

We posted a free resources including lists of films, books, and more to as an anti-racist resource. Check out the show notes, and http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES.

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#21 - Newlywed Life with Chris Rice & Clay Thomson

Wed, 27 May 2020 04:48:00 -0000

Hello Lovers! We are super excited to have Broadway star-couple and newlyweds Christopher Rice and Clay Thomson. We discuss their beautiful wedding planning, being influencers, and their long distance.

If you haven’t checked out all of the amazing things happening at the Broadway Podcast Network, go support the amazing community they are building!

http://BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/BroadwayHusband

Also, to help actors at this time consider making a purchase from our apparel company Broadway Life Apparel. http://broadwaylifeapparel.com

Christopher Rice’s Broadway credits include The Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman, and the National Tour of Hamilton and Clay Thompson has done Newsies, Matilda, Wicked, King Kong, and the National tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Follow Christ and Clay on Instagram:

On the episode we discuss

Our passion for our Disney obsession:
How they were able to coordinate their Wedding Plans:
What’s changed since you’ve been married?
What’s changed since quarantine.
Then we play the Newlywed game.

For the Spotlight on Love segment we got a question from Taylor on Instagram:

I’ve been married to my husband 8 years and this is the longest we’ve spent time together. My husband is no longer traveling and needs to TF out of here.

Thanks for checking out this week’s episode and we hope it brings a little light to your day!

Love always,

Bret and Stephen

We are grateful to be apart of the Broadway Podcast Network http://bpn.fm/husbands

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#20 - Difficult Conversation with Carlos Brandt

Thu, 21 May 2020 02:14:00 -0000

Hello There! Today’s podcast is for sure a treat, because of the hunk of a man that is our guest

Carlos Brandt is a Spanish born NYC living creator and LGBTQ advocate. His podcast Dear Queer People has helped create a voice for people in our community. In this episode we discuss how he feels people need to support each other more during these days. He offers his own opinion on the Ali Forney Center, and what it’s like to be an influencer.

Go follow Carlos Brandt on Instagram and see his HOT photos.

At this time we want to encourage you to check out our Broadway Life Apparel line and our Pride Collection coming out this month. All proceeds go to benefit LGBTQ charities.

This week’s “Spotlight on Love” comes to us from Instagram:

“How do you start difficult conversations when you don’t want to have them but you know you have to.”

Thanks for checking out this week’s episode and we hope it brings a little light to your day!

Love always,

Bret and Stephen

The Broadway Podcast Network

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http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands

http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands

Bret:

http://bretshuford.com

http://instagram.com/bretshuford

http://twitter.com/bretshuford

http://snapchat.com/thebretshuford

http://facebook.com/bretshuford

Stephen:

http://instagram.com/stephenrhanna

http://twitter.com/stephenrhanna

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#19 - How to Keep a Marriage Spontaneous

Thu, 14 May 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hello beautiful listeners! We are back and this week we have an incredible couple joining us on the pod.

Kyle Froman went from being a ballet dancer at New York City Ballet to published photographer. Today, he is married to political analyst, journalist, and author Andrew Kirtzman and the couple are answering some of our relationship questions today and we love what they had to say. Stephen was inspired by their love and marriage all the way back in 2005, so we wanted to get them on an episode of The Broadway Husbands Podcast to share their inspiring story and talk all things marriage.

This week’s “Spotlight on Love” comes to us from Instagram:

“I love seeing so much of my bf and this isn’t a huge issue, but I worry it’s getting less special. I still love the way the relationship is working, but knowing how to keep the spark of how great it is to be together is something I’m working on.

We’ve been together for six months officially, but known each other for a year. I was furloughed until just today, he’s been working from home - so I had lots of free time to hang out. He lives just nine minutes from me, so I stay over each weekend.

It’s so great that I get to see him so much! We have lots of time to wait her watch things together, play video games, make dinner - and it feels so routine, now. I guess I worry that we’ll see so much of each other we’ll grow bored? How do I stop worrying about that, do I need to change my view of it, maybe? Or do something spontaneous every so often, mix things up?”

If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands or email us on http://broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode.

Thanks for checking out this week’s episode and we hope it brings a little light to your day!

Love always,

Bret and Stephen

Andrew Kirzman:

Rudy Giuliani - Emporer of the City: https://amzn.to/2SdbHFH

Bernie Madoff

Kyle Froman:

https://kylefromanphotography.com/

In the Wings :

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#18 - Masculine & Feminine

Fri, 08 May 2020 16:20:00 -0000

As you know Stephen and I both have our hands in different pots including Broadway Life Coach, Broadway Life Apparel, Ballet Beautiful, and Ballet Academy East! But, our guests on this weeks podcast are just as creative and involved in an array of things.

Michael Kushner and Remy Germinario spill all the beans including their mutual love of Disney, their astrological signs. Michael is a photographer and the host of the podcast Dear Multi-hyphenate on the Broadway Podcast Network. His partner Remy Germinario is a Stand-up comedian who makes his living as a tour guide

The chemistry of these two is electric, and they offer some amazing point of views on their relationship on our segment SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE. Our listener asked: Do you consider consider yourself masculine or feminine in your relationship? Do traditional gender roles play a part in your relationship?

Make sure you take a listen and follow them on their social media. Let us know in the comments your favorite parts of the episode, and come say HI over on our social media as well.

http://instagram.com/themichaelkushner

http://instagram.com/dearmultihyphenate

http://instagram.com/thebackstageproject

http://instagram.com/remygerminario

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#17 - Quarantine Questions

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000

What does a couple who likes to be on the move and out and about do when we are self-isolating in the age of COVID-19? We take those lemons and make lemonade! On this week’s episode, we get to know more about one another and, surprisingly, we find out some stuff we didn’t know - go figure! We highly recommend taking time alone together to continue to grow as a couple as we navigate these weird new norms.

As an update, we are still staying pretty busy! Stephen is teaching lots of classes right now with http://balletbeautiful.com and http://balletacademyeast.com Bret has launched the http://SecureActorProject.com, so be sure to check that out for more details and ways to contribute!

Love you all and thanks for listening!!

-Bret and Stephen

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#16 - One Little Word: Married

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Hey there! As you know by now, we are happily married. When we were planning our wedding, we based many decisions off of the traditions we grew up seeing in heterosexual marriage celebrations. We met with Jason Mitchell Kahn virtually to pick his brain about weddings!

Jason is responsible for marrying more Broadway stars than you can count, so he clearly knows his stuff. We have him on to talk about wedding traditions, the planning process, and where he things weddings will go in the future. If you’re in love and are planning a wedding, or are just a hopeless romantic who loves wedding talk, this interview with Jason is a treat!

Be sure to drop some wisdom on Instagram or via e-mail regarding this week’s “Spotlight on Love” segment!

Thanks for listening and if you’re listening in real time, stay strong, stay home, and stay positive. We can’t wait to be back on stage celebrating with you all!

Love,

Bret and Stephen

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#15 - Being Authentically You

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0000

This episode was recorded before the outbreak of COVID19 in the US.

Broadway vets and soon to be Broadway Husbands Adam Hyndman and Brad Gibson give us some beautiful insight into their life’s including how to have Integrity in show biz relationships and keeping ego out of the relationship when booking work. They give us perspective on internalized homophobia in the business, and respecting the evolution of theatre canon when it comes to race and gender.

This weeks SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE question: I’m meeting my partners parents for the first time, I’m super nervous and I need advice. If you want relationship and dating advice from our completely unqualified selves DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode. Also, to guarantee you receive our advice consider becoming a patron on Patreon and you can join us on a live to ask your question. Check out this plus an array of other benefits at patreon.com/broadwayhusbands for more details. Remember to submit your relationship questions via email or DM and we might just answer it on a future episode of the podcast! See you all over on episode 16!

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#14 - Siblings

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 04:00:00 -0000

We are getting all sappy this week, so hold on to your hats. This week’s episode is all about our O.G. besties, our siblings! Anyone with siblings knows that they can be your best friend and your biggest annoyance…sometimes at the same time. We dive into the complexity and diversity of our siblings this week.

We loved answering this week’s Spotlight On Love question!: “Your first vacation with somebody and you’re a big traveler and on the vacation, you decide you don’t want to be with them anymore. How do you handle it?” Remember to submit your relationship questions via email or DM and we might just answer it on a future episode of the podcast!

See you all over on episode 15!

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#13 - Disney Obsession

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 04:15:00 -0000

Welcome back faithful friends and listeners! We (mostly Bret) are so excited for this week’s topic: DISNEY! We strongly feel that everyone has a soft spot in their heart for the House of Mouse — some more than others (i.e. Us). In fact, there’s a whole podcast devoted to LGBTQ+ folks that have an affinity for the magical world of Disney, and we were lucky enough to be guests. Listen to our interview HERE.

For those interested in learning more about the book mentioned in this week’s episode, check it out HERE.

In this week’s Spotlight On Love, we discuss the cast of Love is Blind on Netflix and how we think we would have fared on this Nick Lachey hosted reality show. — Be sure to DM or email us with with your relationship advice questions and we might just answer them on a future episode of the podcast!

Thanks, as always, for listening and supporting this podcast! Love you all.

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#12 - Goals for 2020

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Today we are discussing GOAL setting for 2020. We don’t often set aside to really plan out our goals and ambitions. Bret helps a lot of people as the Broadway Life Coach (http://bretshuford.com/coach) but this time we help each other set our ambitions personal and professional.

The hope is that we can help others set goals for themselves and hold each other accountable, so we want to know what are you goals for the year? leave in the comments or send us a message on Instagram. Try using the SMART system we use to help.

For our Spotlight on Love segment we answer a listeners question: do you have to compromise your happiness for marriage. Tell us what you think?

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#11 - Taking a Performing Sabbatical

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Hello from Bret and Stephen and welcome to The Broadway Husbands Podcast! We are taking it back to the good ole days of Episode 1 with an episode complete with no special guests - just us! This week, we are chatting about that time we packed up and shipped out to Charleston, SC! These New Yorkers gave it the old college try of making it in a brand new city. Listen to this week’s episode to hear all about it and what ultimately brought us back to the Big Apple.

Even though we ultimately came back to NYC, we loved so much about what Charleston has to offer! So much so, we compiled a list of must do’s for someone heading to this South Carolina gem. Check out all of our recs at this LINK!

As always, we want to hear from you! DM us your relationship related questions and we’ll give a go at answering them on an episode of this podcast. Slide on into our inbox info@broadwayhusbands.com ! While you’re there, let us know what topics you’d like to hear us cover on the pod. We love interacting with our friends/fans and want to make sure you’re just as happy as we are with this podcast!

Friends, thanks again for being here and listening along. We are having such a blast with this project and are overwhelmed by the love and support we’ve received so far! Thanks for being along for the ride and we’ll see ya over on Episode 12!

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#10 - Interdisciplinary Relationship

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

You guys…we made it to Episode 10! Thank you to our faithful listeners and hello to all the newbies! https://www.broadwayhusbands.com/podcast/2020/2/17/episode-10

Y’all are in for a treat today. We have the cutest and funnest newlyweds on our tenth episode of The Broadway Husbands Podcast. This week, we sit down with Matthew Olshefski, aka The Shirtless Violinist, and his incredibly talented artist hubby Paul Castle. Listen along as we all gab and get to know one another!

Per usual, we do our best with offering some solicited relationship advice! This week, we answer a DM from a listener asking for advice on how to deal with jealousy. We offer our advice, but we want to hear what you’d say! Comment below or shoot us a DM. Be sure to send your relationship questions to us via Instagram DM and we might just answer yours on a future episode!

So grateful for all of you and we can’t wait for you to hear the next 10 episodes and beyond! Sending you all love and a virtual hug from both of us!

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#9 - LIVE: Kathryn Gallagher & Stephanie Styles, Broadway Besties Bonus

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

At this year’s BroadwayCon, The Broadway Podcast Network family — went BIG! This week’s Episode is from our live recording with Broadway Besties, Kathryn Gallagher and Stephanie Styles! They chat friendship, their new podcast, and all things Broadway! Fun fact: Stephen was in a movie with Kathryn’s dad!

Also... SECRETS (so don't tell anyone) but this episode is also a special crossover with Alan Seales co-hosting (as Bret was called to last-minute Wicked rehearsals with the new cast members). The crossover includes some content from a new podcast that BPN is launching soon call Broadway Besties. Stay tuned!

It’s a group effort with this week’s Spotlight on Love! This week’s question comes straight from the Instagram DMs:

What to do when a person you deeply love constantly breaks her word. My best friend and I have an agreement about money in which I let her stay at my place so she can pursue other interests instead of paying rent and let me be clear, it’s not about money. It’s about her not including me in her plans and being secretive about what her real-life expectations are. I care for her deeply but my feelings get hurt constantly due to her actions.

Take a listen and be sure to send in your questions on Instagram (@broadwayhusbands)!

If you’ve been with us since episode one or if this is your first introduction to The Broadway Husbands Podcast, we’re so happy you’re here!

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#8 - Long Distance

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0000

What’s better than one pair of Broadway Husbands? TWO, duh. This week we are sitting down with newlywed Broadway Husbands, Mark Evans and Justin Mortelliti. Mark is joining us after his incredible run in the world premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire in Seattle, and Justin is back in the blisteringly cold Northeast after having just returned from the West Coast production of Pride and Prejudice. We talk all things marriage, family, relationship building and more! It was so fun getting to talk with these powerhouse talents and we know you’ll enjoy what they had to say and probably take away a few nuggets of wisdom yourself!

Out Spotlight on Love question this week involves a scenario members of the LGBTQ community know all too well. The anonymous question was sent in via Instagram: I came out as bi to my parents to soften the blow of a gay son (I’m not bi) and I really want to experiment with more fem things, I wanna wear makeup and shave my legs but my parents will be totally disappointed in me - should I discuss it with them or just say screw and it and do it behind their back? Check out what we have to say and offer your advice in the comments below or DM us so we can pass along the message!

So grateful to get to connect with you all for yet another week. With everything going on in the world today, we know how lucky we are to have this safe space to create and communicate with some of the coolest people all over the world. Thanks for being loyal listeners, and for those just joining the pod, welcome to our family!

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#7 - Family Politics

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Who loves talking politics with your family members that you may not see eye-to-eye with? … NEITHER DO WE! But, we have come up with some tips and tricks on how to navigate election season with those you love and disagree with. We share those in this week’s episode of The Broadway Husbands Podcast, as well as give an update on our baby journey (not great news, but we’re staying positive and optimistic!).

As always, we offer our unqualified advice during “Spotlight On Love” and welcome any and all feedback from our listeners on advice they would recommend. Comment below, Tweet us, DM us, etc.

Thanks for listening, as always, and let us know if there’s any topics you’re interested in hearing us talk about. Our favorite part of this whole journey is connecting with all of you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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#6 - Parenting on Broadway

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Needed more Broadway power couple inspiration in your life? We got you! This week’s episode of the podcast is packed with talent and we can’t wait for you to listen.

Joining us this week are Eric Anderson (https://www.instagram.com/egroove/) and Jessica Rush (https://www.instagram.com/jessisarush/). Jessica is a Texas native and can currently be seen on stage in Tina, the Tina Turner Musical. Amazing as that is, Bret would like to point out that her most prolific role was as Sister Mary Amnesia in the 1994 West Orange Stark High School production Nunsense… because he did props for the show. Eric is a California guy who you might’ve seen in Pretty Woman, but he also originated the role of Cal in Waitress!

Clearly they have plenty of Broadway goodness to share with us, so we hope you enjoy our conversation with these two crazy kids!

As always, feel free to share your own relationship advice for the question we answer during the “Spotlight on Love” segment of the show. This week’s question is: “How to be supportive in hard work transitions without playing into unrealistic expectations.”

Thank you for listening, being a part of our lives, following along and (hopefully) recommending us to friends and family! Let us know what you want to hear more of by either DM’ing us or sending a message via the links below!

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#5 - Gender Definitions

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

HAPPY NEW QUEER…YEAR…BOTH!

We have several things in common as a couple…one of those being…WE LOVE DRAG QUEENS! Our lovely listeners are in for a treat this week! We are sitting down with power couple Marti Cummings and Blake Allen.

You might recognize Marti from Watch What Happens LIVE on Bravo, Shade Queens on Fusion or from one of their hugely successful world tours. Blake, a native Texan like Bret, is a multifaceted composer and orchestrator at the forefront of the new musiopera genre. He self-produces one of our favorite shows to binge, An Evening With... Series. In this episode, we get down to the nitty gritty with this crazy talented couple and chat marriage, romance and the first time Blake saw Marti in drag. We had a blast and know you will too when you listen!

Per usual, we rack our brains to collaborate on relationship advice (yay!!). This week’s question comes from Felix who has questions on how to maintain a successful long-term relationship. We’ve got a little experience in that arena, so we think we did a pretty dang good job this week (*insert high five and quick kiss here*)! We’re getting better all the time and hope you’ll share your tidbits of wisdom if you have any to share!

Thank y’all for listening along and being part of the journey with us! We have a blast doing this podcast and if it weren’t for our listeners, we’d just be talking into mics for the hell of it. So, kicking off 2020 with the biggest virtual thank you hug from both of us to you!

Join us next week for more fun, advice and shenanigans!

Support this podcast by becoming a patron on http://patreon.com/broadwayhusbands

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We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#4 - Becoming Dads

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Hello again! We’re back with another episode of The Broadway Husbands Podcast. In this episode, Bret gives us an update on his current role as the male Swing in Wicked on Broadway and Stephen clues us in on where we can catch him in performances of The Nutcracker in NYC.

One of our most asked questions on social media is what the status is of our adoption journey. We fill you in here and talk about our experiences getting ready for fatherhood as a gay couple.

As always, we share love and relationship advice with a lucky listener and this week’s question comes straight from social media: “What do you do if you’ve been going on dates with a guy and on paper, everything is great, but there’s no spark? How do I let him down gently without being seen as a jerk?”

If you liked our advice or would’ve said something else, drop us a note on our social media accounts or in the comments below!

Finally, the holiday season is winding down and it’s time to treat yo self! Head over to the Broadway Life Apparel website and snag some fun and niche musical theatre swag to sport year-round!

Join us next week for more fun, advice and shenanigans!

Support this podcast by becoming a patron on http://patreon.com/broadwayhusbands

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Bret

Stephen

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#3 - Getting Gay Married

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

In Episode 3 we chat about one of our favorite memories: planning our big gay wedding! We also give you a quick update on our surrogacy journey, specifically lawyer negotiations. For detailed show-notes and links go to: http://broadwayhusbands.com/podcast/2019/12/2/episode-3

And we got the chance to answer a question from a listener who is dipping their toe in the dating pool after coming out as bisexual. If you are in need of relationship, dating, or love advice, DM us on instagram @broadwayhusbands or email us on broadwayhusbands.com and we may choose your question on the next episode.

Thanks for listening and please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Support this podcast by becoming a patron on http://patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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Bret

Stephen

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#2 - Coming Out Stories

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0000

In Episode 2 we discuss a topic we get asked about frequently - our coming out stories! We also discuss our journey to parenthood. To see our previous vlogs and to follow along with our journey, subscribe to the Gays With Kids YouTube channel! For more detailed show notes and links to books referenced in the podcast click here: http://broadwayhusbands.com/podcast/2019/11/26/episode-2

As always, we offer our unqualified relationship advice to a listener. Check out what advice we have and be sure to let us know if you agree or have other advice to offer!

Support this podcast by becoming a patron on http://patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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Bret

Stephen

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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#1 - Who We Are

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 16:56:00 -0000

Welcome to the Broadway Husbands Podcast. In this episode, Bret and Stephen tell you how they met and a little bit about their past. Our listener Justin asked What is the best way to meet people that isn’t an app?

We also give you our 10 Favorite gift suggestions for the theatre lovers in your life, this holiday season. Check out the full list here: http://broadwayhusbands.com/podcast/episode1

Support this podcast by becoming a patron on http://patreon.com/broadwayhusbands.

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Bret

Stephen

We are grateful to be a part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Music composed by David Dabbon, photo by Roberto Araujo Photography.

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Podcast Trailer

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 03:14:00 -0000

We are Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna your all-American married couple making their living in the arts and pursuing a growing family. On the Broadway Husbands Podcast we offer advice from our ordinary lives under extraordinary circumstances. We are living proof that you can love who you love and love what you do.

Visit us on

Instagram: @broadwayhusbands,
Online: BroadwayPodcastNetwork.com/BroadwayHusbands

A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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