From Nickelodeon to Hamilton and Beyond: A Conversation with Stephanie Klemons.It was an absolute pleasure hosting Stephanie Klemons, Associate Choreographer and original Dance Captain for Hamilton, on The Friend Zone, with Jason Belsky! We delved into her incredible journey, from her early inspiration watching Cats (yes, even my Bar Mitzvah had a Cats theme!) to her current work directing and choreographing major musicals. Stephanie's career is a testament to hard work, passion, and resilience. We discussed:•Her early career: From a Nickelodeon commercial (which we found!) to her breakout role in In the Heights.•The magic of New York Fit Fest: How a collaborative spirit brought together fitness, dance, and community.•Katie's Art Project: Stephanie's inspiring non-profit connecting terminally ill children with professional artists. This deeply personal project highlights the power of art to connect us, even in the face of adversity.•The highs and lows of Broadway: The unbelievable success of Hamilton (billions of dollars!), the realities of profit sharing, and the unexpected challenges of managing a global production.•Conquering stage fright: Stephanie bravely shared her struggles with performance anxiety, offering a relatable and honest perspective on the pressures faced by artists.•The importance of self-belief: We both confessed to battling imposter syndrome, a reminder that even the most successful among us experience self-doubt.This conversation was filled with laughter, inspiring stories, and valuable insights into the world of dance, theatre, and the human spirit

In this powerful and candid episode, we're joined by Nick Kosir, widely known as The Dancing Weatherman and Amy Freeze, a veteran broadcast meteorologist and lifelong abstainer from alcohol. Together, they talk with Jason Belsky and open up about their deeply personal journeys with alcohol one of recovery, the other of prevention and the lessons they've learned along the way.

📺 About the Guests:

Nick Kosir is a meteorologist and social media sensation, known for blending accurate forecasts with viral dance videos that have garnered millions of views. But behind the internet fame is a story of resilience: Nick has been sober for 8 years after a long struggle with alcohol that began in high school as a way to cope with anxiety. His relationship with drinking evolved into binge behavior and dependency, impacting both his career and personal life. It wasn’t until his wife voiced her concern that Nick found the motivation to begin a difficult but ultimately transformative path toward sobriety. He speaks openly about his failed attempts to quit, the intense cravings, and how therapy helped him face the root of his addiction: social anxiety.

Amy Freeze is a respected meteorologist with decades of experience at major networks like FOX and ABC. Raised in a strict religious household and having witnessed alcoholism in her family, Amy made a conscious decision early in life to abstain from alcohol altogether. She shares what it’s like to navigate a society that often expects alcohol to be part of every celebration, the social assumptions that come with abstinence, and a recent moment of temptation in New York City that tested her values.

They both sit down with Jason Belsky and discuss 🍸 in this episode:

The psychological roots behind drinking and abstinence

Social challenges and how to gracefully navigate them (spoiler: diet Coke helps)

Why some people find AA helpful and others don’t

How therapy, self-awareness, and supportive friendships are key to long-term change

Life after alcohol: how other vices and challenges can emerge

Proactive decision-making and why it matters even if you’ve never taken a sip

Whether you’re sober-curious, in recovery, or just interested in how alcohol shapes our lives and relationships, this episode offers insight, empathy, and real-life tools from two very different but equally compelling perspectives.