“For you are a magnet and I am steel.” Sound familiar? Those unforgettable lyrics come from the 1978 Billboard Top 10 hit “Magnet and Steel", written and performed by Walter Egan — and in this special episode, he joins Donna and Dr. Adam in conversation!

Walter takes us on a journey starting in New York with his surf rock band The Malibooz, followed by five years with the Washington D.C.-based group Sageworth. After relocating to Los Angeles, he became a gigging musician, eventually crossing paths with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The Fleetwood Mac duo produced Walter’s debut album , and then teamed up with him again for his second album, Not Shy – featuring the iconic “Magnet and Steel,” with Stevie on background vocals and Lindsey on guitar.

Walter shares what it was like to collaborate with two rising legends of rock, how Stevie Nicks inspired his biggest hit, and what he’s learned from over five decades of songwriting, performing, and creating.

And as a special treat, don’t miss the end of the episode – where Donna and Walter share their duet of “Magnet and Steel” just for you.

Come spend Valentine’s Day with Donna and Dr Adam and special guest Domenic Priore! Domenic is a writer and expert in ‘60s popular music and youth culture. In this episode, the trio take a trip down the rabbit hole to 1960s Los Angeles through five of Domenic’s books: Riot on Sunset Strip, a chronicle of the electrifying rise and fall of the Sunset Strip music scene; Pacific Ocean Park, a history of the famed Santa Monica mid-century amusement park; Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson’s Lost Masterpiece, the story of perhaps the most famous unfinished album in the history of music; Pop Surf Culture, a history of surf and youth culture of the ‘50s and ‘60s including our favorite Beach Party movies; and Pop Sixties, Domenic’s collaboration with Donna! If you’re a mid-century aficionado with a modern twist, come spend some time with Love’s A Secret Weapon Podcast, now in its 7th season!

We think it’s almost Christmas time! In this holiday special and sixth season finale, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by Gaylord Fields! Gaylord is a longtime host on WFMU, a DJ, and writer whose eclectic interests in music span genres and generations. In conversation, Gaylord shares how music has been a throughline throughout his life and career, and the trio share some Christmas memories. Gaylord also spins Donna’s holiday recordings, including her first single when she was nine years old and her most recent holiday classic!

It's time for the Girls! In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by DJ Glynis Ward, host of WFMU "Crayons to Perfume", a weekly radio show dedicated to girl groups and women artists from the '60s.

In conversation, Glynis shares how she became a champion of the girl group sound, having started as a DJ and writer in Canada. Along the way, you'll be introduced to garage rock rarities like the all-female Daughters of Eve, and reacquainted with The Supremes. Plus the trio bridge the cultural divide, with Glynis spinning tales and tracks from the Canadian Michèle Richard, Little Pattie from Australia, and of course some Northern Soul classics from your host Donna.

Music – and Girl Power – transcend all boundaries!

Are you a fan of classic film and television? Well, Donna and Dr Adam have you covered when they are joined by two very special guests: Scott Morrow and Shannon Allen! As a child actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Scott “Scotty” Morrow played Hope Lange’s brother in the film “Peyton Place” and was seen in classic shows “The Donna Reed Show”, “Wagon Train”, “Lassie”, and “My Three Sons”. Shannon Allen is a podcaster and writer with her popular podcast “Vanguard of Hollywood”, where she gets up close and personal with the films and stars of the Golden Age. In conversation, Scott shares what it was like to share the screen and studio with legends Lana Turner, George Montgomery, Richard Chamberlain, Ethel Waters…and his friend Marilyn Monroe! While Shannon, as an expert on all things Hollywood, shares stories from that classic time. Plus, Scott lets us into his current career as a photographer and Shannon shares her secrets for cooking, Hollywood style.

To learn more about Scott and Shannon, you can purchase the bestselling book “Made in Hollywood: The Scott Morrow Story” and visit Shannon’s website VanguardofHollywood.com

Ep 83 Part 1

Come along with Donna and Dr Adam and experience the famous ancient village of Alberobello in Southern Italy with its well-preserved Trulli houses in this special video episode!

From Donna: "In 1967, I found myself in a Warner Bros recording studio in Rome, Italy. I was asked to sing a theme to a movie called "Once Before I Die", starring Ursula Andress. To promote the song Warner Bros. sent me down the coast of the Adriatic to a tiny mountain town called Alberobello. This was an ancient village, well preserved with the unique Trulli style houses made of lime and slate. A video was made of me standing on old Roman ruins singing the song. My collaborator and producer, Dr. Adam Gerace, recently traveled to Italy and visited Alberobello which has given me an opportunity to share this very rare unreleased recording along with photos taken by my dad, Morey, during our 1960's stay. Never dreamed this would become a reality and I sincerely hope you enjoy it!" Note: Ep 83 Part 2 (Audio) - A Travel Diary from Alberobello to Milan This companion Audio Podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ep 83 Part 2

Ciao, Love’s A Secret Weapon community! Fancy a summer vacation in Italy? Back in June and July, Dr Adam was travelling around Europe – and Donna and Dr Adam thought you might like to come along! They caught up twice: once in Alberobello in Southern Italy, and this one in Milan before he headed home. In these two travel diaries, Adam shares his experiences in real-time of the iconic Alberobello, with its famous Trulli buildings, and then picturesque Milan, while Donna recalls her own visit to Alberobello in the ‘60s! “L'amore è un'arma segreta!” – in whatever language you say it, remember – Love’s A Secret Weapon! Also Watch: Ep 83 Part 1 (Video) - A Visit to Alberobello with Donna and Dr Adam

Celebrate Shindig’s 60th Birthday (Sept 16, 1964-2024) on “Love’s a Secret Weapon” Podcast❤️ with a replay of Chapter 7 part 3 of Donna's Memoir: "Tales of Shindig!" But wait! There’s more❣️ If this perks your curiosity, Chapter 7, Parts 1-4 reveal my entire Shindig! Experience

❤️Go Donna and Dr Adam🎊🎉

Onstage and backstage, Donna relishes her role on Shindig being surrounded by the likes of The Righteous Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Glen Campbell, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner and Bobby Sherman.

JUST THE 2 OF US: After 20-years there's still so much more to learn about each other. Relationships are incredibly valuable and Dr Adam and Donna have a strong bond they share in the name of Donna's favorite 4 letter word: LOVE In this rare intimate time together, Donna and Dr Adam share what they’ve been up to over the past couple of months, including the arrival of new family members, being awed by the recent eclipse and even encounters with scorpions! They also talk about watching the new series “Ripley”, and how its romantic setting of a 1960s Italy spoke to them about bigger issues of deception and the human condition. Let's Talk It Over!

In this episode, Donna and Dr Adam Gerace are joined by musician and author Jim Wilson to talk about his new book “Tuned In: Memoirs of a Piano Man”!

Jim has had distinct, but complementary careers as both a musician and performer alongside his work as an expert piano tuner-technician to music royalty, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, and Carole King.

In conversation with Donna and Dr Adam, Jim shares his journey from being a young boy in Amarillo, Texas to his work in California as the go-to-person transforming the Steinways of legends with a revolutionary MIDI-adaptor for acoustic piano. Along the way, tragedy drove his desire to face his fears and follow his dreams of stepping into the limelight as an award-winning and charting musician with four recordings on the Billboard Top-20 and two PBS specials. Beyond his wonderful showbiz stories, including sharing one of his compositions with a Beatle, Jim’s conversation with Donna and Dr Adam reflects the importance of listening to one’s inner voice and how the power of one thought, one decision or gesture can forever change our lives and the lives of those around us.

In this special episode, Donna and Dr. Adam are joined by musician Maurice Gainen! Maurice, who is a woodwind musician, producer, composer, and engineer, first worked with Donna to rejuvenate her signature song “It Only Hurts When I Cry” in 2009. He then engineered Donna’s first album in decades, “Love It Away” in 2010, and he provides the distinctive saxophone sounds on her modern holiday classic, “Merry Christmas Baby”!

In conversation with Donna and Dr Adam, Maurice invites us into his Silverlake recording studio, and tells us about his long and diverse music career, which includes his own recordings, live performances, production work for major labels, and his mastering of 187 CDs for Starbucks. Maurice shares how he is committed to a global music movement and how he brings together collaborators from all over the world to create a unique global jazz sound.

You’ll also hear about how his career started on Bob Barker’s “Truth or Consequences”, how by chance he ended up with his unique silver saxophone, and what Joni Mitchell said about his mastering of her recordings!

Billboard Magazine said “Maurice is a man to hear”, and Donna and Dr Adam are delighted that you can hear him on Season Six of "Love’s A Secret Weapon Podcast".

This conversation is available as an audio episode and will also be available as a video with Donna, Dr. Adam, and Maurice!

Maurice's new album "Hope Thru Music" was released 2 April, 2024.

“Truth is a mysterious entity. I love it and cherish it. Anytime I can speak the truth about my feelings, a little more of Me comes into focus. All the tears I’ve swallowed flow more freely now and I await the day that I can sing for you again”.

In this final chapter of Donna’s memoir…

It’s August 14, 2008, a pivotal day that led to Donna deciding to make music again. Donna takes us back to her decision to step out again, her recording of her album “Love It Away," and the decision after 15 years to leave Hawaii and return to Los Angeles.

In reflecting on three years of this podcast, Donna and Dr Adam discuss the important work we all must do to integrate the different selves that make up all of us.

While this is the final chapter of the original memoir, there are more stories to tell! And so, Donna and Dr Adam will be back in 2024 with more stories and fan guests.

Love is Not a Part Time Job…so Let LOVE Be Your SECRET WEAPON!

In a special episode, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by author, journalist, and podcaster Natalie Zett! Natalie has written Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told, a work of historical fiction that draws on her own family’s tragedy. At the center of the story is the death of Natalie’s real-life great aunt, Martha Pfeiffer, who lost her life in 1915 on the SS Eastland ship disaster in Chicago. Natalie’s historical backdrop allows her to tell a story of intergenerational trauma and the ties that bind us to our ancestors. Donna, Dr Adam, and Natalie chat about how Natalie unearthed her family’s hidden story, the opportunity to give a voice to our ancestors, and how these stories from the past can inform us now to live more fully in the present. Plus, Natalie shares how Love’s A Secret Weapon Podcast inspired Natalie’s own podcast!

You can find Natalie’s website and podcast here: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/

In this special episode, Donna and Dr. Adam are joined by musician Willie Aron! Willie, who is a Grammy nominee, worked with Donna to bring to life her first concert in over 50 years at Tiki Oasis in 2016. Donna and Willie share memories of that event and, in conversation with Donna and Dr Adam, Willie discusses his wide-ranging and diverse career as a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and educator.

Willie’s first band was 1980's cult lo-fi rock, garage quartet "The Balancing Act", whose album “Curtains” was produced by the legendary Andy Gill (“Gang of Four”). From there, he has worked constantly as a session musician, film and television composer, performer and producer, including working with Leonard Cohen, Todd Lawrence (known as Milo Binder), Anjani Thomas, and his collaborator, Marvin Etzioni, in the duo "Thee Holy Brothers", whose name was influenced by Willie’s relationship with Leonard Cohen! Willie also shares his experiences of loss and the trio discuss the importance of self-compassion, balancing intellect and spirit, and the importance of the arts to all of us.

Don’t miss this insider's perspective into the sounds and people of the LA music scene!

This conversation is available as an audio episode and will also be available as a video with Donna, Dr. Adam, and Willie!

In this new chapter…

Donna reflects on the relationships she had with her adopted father and her mother at the height of her ‘60s career and in their later years.

Then, Donna and Dr Adam speak about the importance of understanding the good and not so good of one’s upbringing, so that we may move forward with compassion for ourselves and others.

Plus, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by fan guest Kelly Munroe! Kelly shares her experiences of illness and resilience, and the trio discuss the importance of all of us contributing to the growth and healing of the Planet.

Welcome to a new chapter of Donna’s memoir! We open with a duet sung by Donna and Bobby Sherman on Shindig, “Casting My Spell on You”.

In this episode…Donna takes us back to the early 2000s as her fashion business, ADASA Hawaii, enters a new phase with celebrity clientele and the hottest lines including Juicy Couture, James Perse, Isabella Fiore and Lacoste. At a time of personal change and professional success, Donna begins to wonder if her new voice is as a Designer. Plus, Donna and Dr Adam are joined by fan guests Jo David and Marlow Harris! Both Jo and Marlow are Tiki Culture and mid-century enthusiasts who take Donna, Dr Adam, and listeners into their world of music, culture, and design, as well as sharing their own art, radio, filmmaking and magazine endeavors. Did you know there’s an Official Bad Art Museum of Art in Seattle (The OBAMA)? You’ll meet the curators behind it on this episode of "Love’s A Secret Weapon" Podcast!
And remember: If this podcast’s message of love touches your heart, please like, subscribe, and review wherever you choose to listen.

As this chapter closes…

In the shadow of 9/11, Donna is offered the opportunity to open a new boutique in the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Plus, Donna and Dr Adam welcome their next fan guest, Leticia Lopez! Leticia is a journalist, author, and historian who has previously interviewed Donna – and now the tables turn as Leticia tells Donna and Dr Adam about her work researching and writing about both ‘60s and modern mid-century inspired pop culture. Leticia introduces Donna and Dr Adam to some of the unique people she has written about, and Donna shares her perspective on why the message of the ‘60s is more important now than ever.

In this episode...

After her stepdad’s death, Donna asks her mother to join her in Hawaii. Checking into the Mauna Lani Hotel for one night, Donna’s mother finally shares the truth about a trip she made to Boston when she was twenty years old, where she met the man who was Donna’s biological father.

In conversation, Donna and Dr Adam talk about recognizing the patterns in our relationships with others so that we can move forward.

As Donna continues reading from her memoir…

An opportunity to do a fashion show in Florida leads Donna to create a full collection. But when it’s rained away, a bigger opportunity awaits – a trip to Monte Carlo! Donna, Jered, and many trunks of handmade garments, custom shoes, jewelry, and hats make their way to a fashion show on the Mediterranean! When they return, Donna begins a new venture and it becomes a real family affair.

Plus, Donna and Dr Adam welcome their next fan guest, Sandy Netburn! Sandy is a multi-talented teenage musician, ventriloquist, and podcaster interested in all things ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. As Donna, Dr Adam and Sandy find, music, fashion, and vinyl cross all generations!

Sandy’s podcast is available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNPlPgN1Znx9udBUIGEpigrl52-mk2qm