Mamas Talkin' Loud

Podcasts

Broadway Moms, Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush discuss all things motherhood.

Behind the Curtain BPN Originals Career Advice Fitness & Wellness

All Episodes

All Seasons

#2 - Celia Keenan-Bolger, Taking Care of One Another... and Ourselves

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, June 8th, please enjoy this encore release of our chat (the second one EVER!) with 2019 Tony Award Winner, Celia Keenan-Bolger, honored this year with the 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, as she opens up about her motherhood experience; how bringing Scout Finch to life eight times a week has been as fulfilling as it has been depleting, and how she navigates that, all while raising her son with the same call to action that her parents instilled in her.

52 mins

6/8/25

#38 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 1

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, please enjoy this encore release of our chat with nominee (for the 7th time!) Audra McDonald, currently starring as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Make sure to follow up with Part 2 and follow the Mamas on Instagram @mamastalkinloudpod for up to date info on their return.

38 mins

6/6/25

#39 - Audra McDonald, Then and Now - Part 2

In honor of the Tony Awards this Sunday, please enjoy this encore release of our chat with nominee (for the 7th time!) Audra McDonald, currently starring as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Make sure you've listened to Part 1 and follow the Mamas on Instagram @mamastalkinloudpod for up to date info on their return.

28 mins

6/6/25

BONUS-LIVE from the 'How to Dance in Ohio' Red Carpet

We're back!! (kind of)... This special bonus episode is coming to you live from the red carpet at the opening night of Broadway's "How to Dance in Ohio". "How to Dance in Ohio" is a heartwarming musical based on a true story.

29 mins

2/8/24

#11 - Caissie Levy, Reigning Mama

As she comes to the end of her 2 year reign, Queen Elsa herself, Caissie Levy, joins us to talk about what it has meant to play one of the most iconic Disney princesses while being a mother.

50 mins

10/2/22

#84 Elizabeth Stanley, Stay Open, Stay Curious - Part 3

The last time we spoke to Elizabeth Stanley she was deep in the world of new motherhood, pumping in the bathroom at the Tony Awards and preparing to return to her Tony Nominated starring role in Jagged Little Pill.

41 mins

4/21/22

#83 - Myra Lucretia Taylor, NaTasha Yvette Williams, & Katie Webber, Proud Mamas

In celebration of International Women's History Month, co-host Jessica Rush sat down in studio with her co-stars & fellow 'mamas' of TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL on Broadway.

42 mins

3/31/22

#82 - Kitt Shapiro, A Mother's Legacy

Kitt Shapiro is the daughter of icon, legend, feminist, activist and sex symbol Eartha Kitt and joins co-host Jessica Rush for a special ‘Santa Baby’ holiday episode.

43 mins

12/23/21

#81 - Faith Salie, "In Pursuit of Purpose"

Faith Salie is an Emmy award winning journalist, radio host, podcaster, writer, and actress, proving time and again there is nothing she can’t do.

49 mins

12/1/21

#80 - Elizabeth Stanley, Stay Open Stay Curious - Part 2

The last time we spoke with Elizabeth Stanley, she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby girl. Continuing our Returning Reborn series, this mama joins us with her sweet babe now in her arms.

30 mins

11/23/21

#79 - Jessica Rush, The Journey Back

In an unexpected turn of events, co-host Jessica Rush takes the hot seat, sharing her journey back to Broadway post pandemic as part of our "Returning Reborn: The Rebirth of the Broadway Mom" series.

1 h 6 mins

11/16/21

#78 - Cortney Wolfson, Fired For Being Pregnant

Breaking her three year silence over her discrimination and eventual termination from her starring role in Romy and Michele: The Musical, Cortney Wolfson joins us following her bravely transparent social media post that went viral.

55 mins

10/20/21

#49 - De'Adre Aziza & Jennifer Sanchez, From Cradle to College...as Single Moms in Showbusiness

The superhuman powers of this week’s guests are awe-inspiring. Tony award nominee De’Adre Aziza and Broadway regular Jennifer Sanchez join us to share their journeys as single mothers in show business.

53 mins

10/12/21

#18 - Karen Olivo, Journey to Motherhood: Listen to the Voice Within

Continuing our “Journey to Motherhood” series, star of Moulin Rouge and Tony Award winner, Karen Olivo shares with us how marrying into motherhood has been the greatest gift: how seeing herself through her children’s eyes has forced her to be kinder to herself, how listening to her gut has always guided her life in and out of the business, and how embodying the sparkling diamond every night shows the next generation that diversity can not be the exception but the rule.

44 mins

10/12/21

#52 - Mandy Gonzalez, Fearless

Star of Hamilton and breast cancer survivor, Mandy Gonzalez shares her journey through a diagnosis, the decision to go public with the news, and enduring chemotherapy during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown.

47 mins

10/12/21

#77 - Pearl Sun, Be Gentle

One of the very first guests on Mamas Talkin' Loud, Pearl Sun, rejoined Cara and Jess a month ago to talk about her unexpected return to Broadway. From resuming 8 shows a week after spending more time than she ever has with her son Max, to her anxiety about moving through the city as an Asian American, her emotions ran the gamut.

36 mins

10/5/21

#76 - Khori Petinaud, I Am Enough

About a month ago, Khori Petinaud joined us again as part of our 'Returning Reborn' series, sharing her ongoing journey of discovery as a new mom, and her overwhelming anticipation of returning to work in Moulin Rouge.

32 mins

9/28/21

#75 - The Broadway Baby Mamas Primal Scream - Part 2

Seven years ago co-hosts Cara Cooper & Jessica Rush started a support group for mothers in the New York theater community, Broadway Baby Mamas, and about a month ago they invited them to join in a group “scream”.

51 mins

9/21/21

#74 - The Broadway Baby Mamas Primal Scream

55 mins

9/14/21

#73 - Cara Cooper and Jessica Rush, Giving Ourselves Grace

When their next guest went into labor the day they were set to record, Cara and Jess decided instead to check in with each other and with you. Join them for a true “dressing room“ chat; from back to school and back to Broadway to the mom guilt that never seems to go away, the mamas are intent on giving themselves grace one step at a time.

42 mins

9/7/21