Secrets of a Jewish Mother: Real Advice, Real Family, Real Love (23 page)

After twenty years as a practicing attorney, I resented it. I started thinking to myself, Why should I spend my time solving your problems? You created them, you solve them. Meanwhile, I spent my years chauffeuring my kids around while talking back to talk radio. I decided I could do a better job on the radio than most of the people I was hearing. I had a vision of a show that would bridge NPR and commercial radio, of providing real information in a down-to-earth and relatable way. I also felt very strongly about certain political issues. It was almost as if I needed my voice to be heard.

With Bill’s financial and moral support, I scaled down my law practice and went to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. I knew I needed to update my skills since my college radio days. Months later, I auditioned at my local radio station, and as luck would have it, a spot had just opened up on Saturday mornings. I grabbed the slot and set aside savings from my law practice to fund my new company. My show aired September 30, 2006. Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell was my first guest. As soon as I got behind the mike on live radio, I knew that I had finally found the thing at which I was a “natural.” It was the easiest thing I had ever done, and by far the most fun.

Radio has given me an excuse to talk to fascinating, interesting, accomplished people. More than that, some of them have become my friends, my mentors and my inspirations. I feel that I am doing something meaningful with my life. In July of 2009, I was honored to accept an award for Gold Coast Best Radio Personality. ■

Most people ask me two questions: “How did you get on the show?” and “Why would you do a show like this?”

In September 2006, I got a phone call from someone casting a new reality show called
Manhattan Moms.
I saved the message and still have it on my answering machine. It was supposed to be a show about “glamorous New York City moms and their family and friends.” I was intrigued and went through the casting process. My parents and sister thought I had nothing to gain and everything to lose. Bobby and Allyson were 100 percent supportive. My priority was to protect Allyson, and to this day I remain very controlling over when and what she films. The producers eventually said I was perfect and the show would get “green-lit” by December of 2006.

Months went by and I never heard a thing. Then Allyson and I were having lunch in June of 2007 when I got a call that the show was green-lit and ready to go.

The answer to “Why would you do a show like this?” is simple. I saw it as an opportunity to promote our business and promote the charity work we do. Zarin Fabrics has been a landmark destination for discount drapery and upholstery fabrics since 1936. How many companies get an opportunity like this to promote their business on national TV? I am a spokesperson for Kodak and have written a book with my family. I travel the country for speaking appearances and have never had more fun. How many people get a chance to cook their grandmother’s latkes recipe on the
Today
show, gossip with Joy Behar about current events and have their photo in the Best Dressed pages of weekly magazines? Yes ... it could go to my head, but I have Lisa and Mommy to keep me grounded, don’t worry!

I can’t say that being on a reality show was a dream of mine, but it has opened up doors and let me become even more of a connector. I now have a much larger network for fixing people up or helping them get a job or giving relationship advice.■

I never thought both of my daughters would end up in the media. But I can see they are both naturally talented at what they do. I do think they got their verbal skills from me. To tell the truth, the whole journey has been amazing to watch and participate in. I am very proud of both of my girls. ■

1.
Have you thought about changing your career?

2.
What is stopping you? Think about that carefully. If it’s money, how much money do you really need to get started? Most schools have scholarships—investigate.

3.
Can you take a baby step forward to your next career?

4.
If you do nothing, how unhappy will you be a year from now?

5.
Are you afraid of success? This is common. Our advice: You should only have that problem. Don’t create barriers that aren’t there; real life is hard enough.

6.
Are you afraid of failure? Also common. But is it worse to have never even tried than to have tried and failed? Sol says that the only things he regrets are the things in life he didn’t do. He doesn’t regret one thing he tried to do and failed. He wishes he had made more mistakes—it would have meant that he had tried more things.

Hence the oldest trick in the book—getting pregnant to get the ring. This ploy still works a lot of the time; we don’t approve of it as a trap, but we’ve seen it work. If you are thinking of getting pregnant merely to hook your man into marriage, ask yourself what you will do if it doesn’t work—are you prepared to raise that baby alone, if necessary?