Tag Archives: television

From Foster Care to CEO: Jarl Mohn on Art, Media and the Power of Generosity



Season two kicks off with Jarl Mohn, my former boss at E! Entertainment Television and retired CEO of NPR. Jarl Mohn describes the evolution of his fascinating career in the media industry — that stemmed from his experience in a group home as a child and a love of radio as his escape. Our focal points were social justice issues in LA County, the importance of the arts and emerging artists in LA, and Jarl Mohn’s personal art collection, including a three and a quarter ton Michael Heizer rock. We get a pro tip on how to open up our minds and creativity by looking at art! Jarl also explains his belief in the unique value of public radio today, as well as the importance of good content across all media platforms in a world of subscription competition. We discuss the progress and challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media industry, the value of good content marketing and the power of good communication and relationship-building by executives. 

To wrap it up, you’ll learn the funny story behind the internet sensation of socks featuring Jarl’s face! So, this is a true head to toe interview with one of the best in the business. 

This is an edited version of an episode of my podcast, “Insider Interviews” in which Jarl focused more on the business of media. For It’s Quite a Living, I’m including extra content about his personal side, including more on his experience in foster care, coinciding with National Foster Care Month. Whether or not yours is QUITE the living, this is a celebration of those who lead fulfilling lives and enjoy every moment.

Show Notes for Episode of “It’s Quite a Living” with Host, E.B. Moss, and former CEO of NPR and philanthropist, Jarl Mohn:

[00:02:11] E.B. Moss reminisces about Jarl starting E! Entertainment Television.

[00:02:23] Jarl shares his career journey that got him there, starting as a disc jockey, meeting Bob Pittman (current CEO, iHeartMedia) and transitioning into the cable TV industry via MTV with Bob, then helming E!

[00:04:10] Jarl shares more about his challenging upbringing in foster care (just as other successful individuals like Steve Jobs and Tiffany Haddish found their way to success.

Recommended reading: “A Place Called Home”, the memoir of current Amazon executive and foster youth advocate, David Ambroz

[00:06:29] Jarl reflects on his traumatic experience in a children’s home and how his love for radio provided an escape.

Lee Masters (Jarl Mohn) as DJ (and on the socks!)
Bob Pittman and Jarl Mohn (“Lee Masters”) back in the day!

Randall Rothenberg of IAB interviewing Jarl Mohn (NPR) and Bob Pittman (iHeartMedia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[00:09:29] E.B. Moss recalls Jarl’s humanizing approach as CEO of Entertainment Television and the lasting impact it had on employees.

[00:10:42] Jarl discusses his travels with Michael Govin, visiting NPR stations across the country, fostering connections, and gaining insight into local communities.

[00:13:11] Jarl expresses his appreciation for the unique value of public radio and its storytelling capabilities, while acknowledging challenges in the music format.

[00:14:30] E.B. mentions Jarl’s gift to all 251 NPR member stations, for which he received a mug from each station that have garnered attention on Instagram — and from visitors to his home where they are all proudly displayed.

[00:15:05] E.B. notes Jarl’s passion for traditional media and the increasing popularity of streaming services, prompting a discussion on the importance of quality content across different mediums.

[00:16:36] E.B. asks Jarl about the progress made by the media industry regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Jarl emphasizes the importance of these issues in various sectors, including the arts.

[00:18:21] Jarl describes his philanthropic efforts, focusing on social justice and the arts in Los Angeles County. He mentions collaborations with organizations like the ACLU, Hammer Museum, and LA nomadic division’s Land Grant project.

[00:21:58] Jarl discusses his personal art collection and highlights a notable piece that involved a Herculean effort to install a 3-ton boulder by artist Michael Heizer.   

[00:25:46] Jarl explains his love for art — whether its works he “likes” or not — for its impact on creativity and problem-solving. He encourages individuals to explore art that challenges their preferences, as it can open up new perspectives.

[00:27:34] E.B. surprises Jarl with a mention of the “Jarl Mohn faces on socks,” and he explains their origin as a lighthearted going-away gift from NPR, which Jarl later distributed to fans through social media.

Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining conversation with Jarl Mohn, where he shares his thoughts on the changing media landscape, the importance of diversity, and the joy of supporting emerging artists and enjoying art in all its forms. Tune in to gain a unique perspective from a seasoned media executive turned philanthropist.

Donation Opportunities and more information on supporting Foster Care:
ChildWelfare.gov
FosterMore

Find Jarl Mohn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarlmohn/

Find/Follow It’s Quite a Living everywhere or at: bit.ly/QuiteALivingPodcast

And if you want to support the arts and keep this free podcast — and Insider Interviews Podcast — going, please consider “buying me a coffee” of ANY size!: https://buymeacoffee.com/mossappeal


The Days and Lives of Singer/Actor Gloria Loring



In the fabulous ’80s one of my best friends, Peggy Goff Bottger, and I each moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Thanks to that friendship I met, and often stayed at the home of, her sister – singer/actor/author Gloria Loring. Gloria was glamorous, inspiring, and a bonafide celebrity. They were heady times for me…meeting other soap stars (one of which she was dating, which you’ll hear her talk about), going to a Halloween party at the home of her ex-husband Alan Thicke (I will never forget arriving in my Bette Midler costume and making divots in his backyard from my high heels….) and yes, even babysitting occasionally for her sons Brennan, and now star in his own right, Robin Thicke.

But I learned a lot of life lessons from Gloria — and Peggy — exposed to her spiritual side, as I watched her marry her next love and teach us about yoga. I even got some cooking lessons along the way. Peggy and I had many adventures in the 80s/90s of Los Angeles — from traveling together to standing up as her maid of honor — and that spiritual side served us well as we talked about her beliefs as she bravely fought a terminal illness.

This is a paean to inheriting new friends and never forgetting the old ones… while remembering always It’s Quite a Living.

For Gloria Loring, whom you might know as the singer of the hit song, Friends & Lovers, sung with Carl Anderson, or you might know her as Liz Chandler on Days of Our Lives. She is also the co-composer of the theme songs for Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. Since her start as a professional singer at age 16 she’s sung on the Emmy Awards, The Johnny Carson Show, The Golden Globes, even The Academy Awards.

Imagine how flipped out I was when Peggy had me deliver a singing telegram for Gloria for her going away party when she was leaving Days of Our Lives! Apparently to hear Glo tell it in this conversation my “performance” was more memorable to me than her! But we do take many other walks down memory lane — discussing her path from the early days, like her appearance in a classic Carol Burnett show skit (see link in resources) to her current role as “Nana” and the surprise of being a chart topping singer mid-retirement!

So, to Peggy, thanks for adding your family to mine, from your children Emma and Ian, to Gloria and my former “charges” Brennan and Robin.

Here are some shots from the “family album”:

Peggy, Robin, Gloria, Brennan and babies!

My friend Peggy – a light in our lives

Bumping into Eduardo in Texas while carrying Gloria’s book about coincidences… 

E.B. and Peggy at Yosemite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

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The Life of Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr.? Sheeee-it.



Interested in acting? Isiah Whitlock Jr. practically gives a mini Master Class when he talks about preparing for one of his more challenging roles.

Fan of The Wire? You know Isiah as the corrupt Senator Clay Davis. In Epi 5 of It’s Quite a Living hear where his famous phrasing of “sheeeeeeeee-it” originated (think Spike Lee!) and how it came to be in that HBO show AND in a bobblehead that you too can actually own!

Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Clay Davis, in The Wire

Hear how Spike Lee first met Isiah and cast him in The 25th Hour… (AND films like BlacKkKlansman AND the current Da Five Bloods and others And watch those films for his trademark saying!) Hear how I first met Isiah in the 80s why he scared the heck out of me…but ultimately taught me about trust.

E.B./Isiah in NLN video and over the years…

Are you a wine lover? Hear what Isiah would pair with latkes. Latkes? YES. Because he’s may be an oenophile, but I’m the potato pancake queen, and that’s what I serve at the Hanukah parties he’s come to at my house over our three decades of friendship.

I had a great time reminiscing and laughing in this podcast episode, while learning more about the life of this prolific film, theater and television actor — and MY first acting teacher at American Conservatory Theater. Isiah has continued to teach me life lessons of staying calm, of staying focused, of having empathy and self-awareness…

But it’s that voice. That stare. That throughline of intellect laced with humor that shine through it all. And usually crack me up even when he’s trying to be serious. (I encourage you to listen to every of the 39 minutes for a good blooper or two that help you really hear the personality behind the persona.)

Oh, and if you want your own bobblehead or to learn more about Isiah visit: http://isiahwhitlockjr.com/  But as you’ll hear in the beginning, he hasn’t updated that site in a while. But you’ll know him when you hear him. 

Love this man. You will too.


The Life of Actress Amy Hill – Epi 3



Amy Hill has been a mom for twenty years in real life, and even longer in her acting life: from Grandma Kim (All American Girl), Mama Tohru (Jackie Chan Adventures),  Ah-Mah Jasmine Lee (The Life and Times of Juniper Lee), Mah Mah (American Dad!) to even being ON the hit comedy, “Mom“. But she’s also had another 150+ acting credits not tied to that title both in live-action and animated films – like Lourdes Chan on Crazy Ex-Girfriend (and its 1.5 million views on its hit promo video), and Sue in 50 First Dates. And it all started, sort of, when she burst on to the scene by winning The Gong Show

But that’s another story. And, yes, it’s one Amy tells in this episode of It’s Quite a Living.

I met Amy in the ’80s when she was already established in the San Francisco acting and voiceover scene I was just breaking into. And some four decades later, on a visit to her home in Hawaii, where she is co-staring as Kumu on the hit reboot of Magnum, P.I., we talked about how she got into acting, her film roles, and what emerged for her in the process of writing her hit one-woman show, Tokyo Bound. Aside from reminiscing about acrylic nails and trying to get an agent, she shares more serious experiences as a Finnish/Japanese American and her experience as a multi-racial actress. We also talk about commitment and making the right choice, like her adoption of her daughter, Penelope.

You’ll love Amy as much as I do when you hear about:

  • Amy’s experience of going to Japan, understanding its culture, her origin, and her mom’s roots
  • Why the name “Tokyo Bound”
  • A love letter from her mom
  • Meditation and commitment 
  • Her big break in Scrooged
  • Coming up with her daughter’s name, Penelope
  • Amy’s “I knew it moments.” 

All the masks are off in this transparent and candid conversation with Amy Hill.

You can find and follow her career here: