Finding her true fortune: Lisa Schiller exits corporate life to enter a world of possibilities
By Nina Livingstone In the late ‘90s, Lisa Schiller was a movie producer working with Hollywood stars Tyne Daly and Ally Sheedy. By the 2000s she was vice president of operations for a Fortune 500 company serving clients that included Procter & Gamble, TD Ameritrade, Wells Fargo, among others, across more than 50 countries. “My [...]
A Race from the Heart: Becca Pizzi is a Worldwide Verb
By Nina Livingstone Becca Pizzi believes she trained her whole life to run the World Marathon Challenge, which she did in 2016, completing seven marathons in seven continents in seven consecutive days. Then, two years later, the Belmont native decided to do it again. Both times she walked away with a new world record. (The [...]
The Art of the Eye: How Artist Alexia Stefanovich Sees the World
By Nina Livingstone Alexia Stefanovich started Right Eye Studios in 2018. Due to health complications, Alexia has slowly gone blind in her right eye. “I thought of the name as a way to honor what I've lost while remaining grateful for everything I do have that allows me to continue painting,” she writes. Alexia [...]
In The Closet With Fran Lebowitz
A wide-ranging conversation with the witty New York writer and humorist. By Nina Livingstone When I saw the first few episodes of 2021’s “Pretend It’s a City” on Netflix (made by Martin Scorsese), I was struck by Fran Lebowitz’s acerbic wit and savvy sense of humor. By the end, I knew that I would be [...]
Nina’s 9: Brings Her Guests Into the New Year
Despite the rise in COVID-19 cases, there’s optimism on the horizon as we launch into the new year. I asked a few guests what they might bring from 2021 into 2022. Kayla Caulfield What I learned in 2021 that I will carry into 2022 is that I have a purpose in my life, [...]
Nina’s 9: Heart and Humor, The beat goes on with Lenny Clarke
By Nina Livingstone Photos courtesy of Lenny Clarke Comedian Lenny Clarke had been doing back-to-back shows for four straight days on the East Coast. He had flown from L.A. to Boston after filming “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” He was exhausted. But he still answered the phone. I didn’t need to ask, “Is this Lenny?” Every comedian [...]
Nina’s 9: Sew to Speak… David Josef has Something to Say!
By Nina Livingstone Fashion in action! David Josef is always on the move. When I tried to tag him for Nina’s 9, he was headed to L.A. to share the stage with Melba Moore. Next, he was hanging with Melissa Manchester. The women are not only friends, but fans of his fashion design. It’s easy [...]
Nina’s 9: OMG! Backstage with Bethany Van Delft
By Nina Livingstone It was one of the first Moth storytelling events I attended and Bethany Van Delft was onstage. I’ll never forget the audience’s response — thunderous applause and infectious laughter. It was easy to understand why Bethany was voted Best Comic by Boston Magazine for 2019 and 2020. She’s got a persevering edge [...]
Nina’s 9: More than just coffee in the morning with Melissa Manchester
After 50 years, the singer-songwriter rekindles the morning fire with her new album ‘Re:View’ By Nina Livingstone There has been no down time for Melissa Manchester, who at 19 was studying songwriting at New York University with Paul Simon, and at 20 was playing Manhattan clubs alongside Barry Manilow. Manilow introduced Melissa to Bette Midler, who made her [...]