The Broadway Husbands Podcast

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. **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! @taylorarco @brock11johnson **** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! ***** Follow us http://instagram.com/broadwayhusbands http://facebook.com/broadwayhusbands http://youtube.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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices