Shows
HOA HELLHow to Recall Your HOA Board in California: Legal Process, Signature Rules, and Strategic TipsIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down the legal process for recalling your HOA board in California and why it can be one of the most effective tools for holding directors accountable. He explains the exact signature threshold required, what must be in a valid petition, how the recall election works, and how to counter common board tactics designed to stall or derail the process. Kushner also covers the strategic decision between targeting individual directors versus the entire board, how cumulative voting affects partial recalls, and why organizing your community beforehand can be t...2025-08-1135 minHOA HELLHow HOA Management Companies Work and What to Do When Yours FailsIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner exposes the often-overlooked role that management companies play in California HOAs and how that role can spiral into abuse, neglect, or outright misconduct if left unchecked. Kushner walks listeners through exactly how management companies are hired, what their contracts say, and what they’re legally allowed, and not allowed, to do. He breaks down common red flags that signal mismanagement, and explains what tools homeowners can use to fight back even though the management company doesn’t report to them directly. This episode arms homeowners with a powe...2025-08-0744 minHOA HELLCan Your HOA Cut Down Common Area Trees Without Telling You?Bad HOAs have a bad habit of removing trees from the common areas without warning, without a vote, and without any plan to replace them. But unless the trees in question pose a risk to people’s health and safety, that kind of unilateral action is likely a violation of California law. In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how boards are bound by the Davis-Stirling Act and the CC&Rs when it comes to common area landscaping. Mature trees that provide shade, privacy, or noise protection can’t just be cleared away (with no re...2025-08-0501 minHOA HELLHOA Architectural Guidelines: What Homeowners Can (and Can't) Do (Without Getting Denied)California law gives HOAs the power to regulate architectural changes, but it also puts strict limits on how that power can be used. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down how far your HOA can go when it comes to reviewing and denying your home improvement plans. From vague aesthetic denials to outright retaliation, Kushner explains what makes a denial unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious under Civil Code § 4765, and what homeowners can do about it. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ What HOA architectural guidelines are and how they’re legally a...2025-08-0441 minHOA HELLAB 130 and the $100 Fine Cap: How California Just Made HOA Problems WorseCalifornia’s new law capping HOA fines at $100 per violation is being celebrated by some as a win for homeowners. But in this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down why AB 130 is not the reform it appears to be, and why those so-called experts who support the law didn’t think through the consequences Kushner discusses. Based on his deep dive into the statute and its fallout, Kushner exposes how the law’s vague language, unintended consequences, and political underpinnings will actually create more chaos, more litigation, and more costs for homeowners across the state. 🔍 Wha...2025-07-3136 minHOA HELLCan My HOA Require Me to Replace My Lawn With Drought-Resistant Landscaping?Your HOA says you have to tear out your grass and install drought-resistant landscaping, but is that legal? In this HOA Q&A, attorney Michael Kushner explains what California law actually says, and why your board may be overstepping if they try to force the change. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This HOA Q&A:✅ What Civil Code § 4735 says.✅ Why boards can’t require turf removal unless the governing documents authorize it.✅ How cost can factor into whether a rule is legally “reasonable.”✅ Why prior approval of your landscaping matters. Micha...2025-07-2902 minHOA HELLHOA Parking Rules EXPLAINED: Fines, Towing, and Your Legal RightsIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner takes on one of the most common and most infuriating HOA disputes in California: parking enforcement. From surveillance-fueled fines to predatory towing, HOAs across the state are abusing their power. This episode breaks down exactly what HOAs are allowed to do, what they’re not, and what you can do when your board crosses the line. NOTE TO LISTENER: THIS EPISODE WAS FILMED BEFORE AB 130’S LIMIT ON HOA FINES WENT INTO EFFECT. AS OF NOW, CALIFORNIA LAW LIMITS HOA FINES TO $100 REGARDLESS OF THE OFFENS...2025-07-2828 minHOA HELLWhat Can an HOA Board Discuss in Executive Session in California?HOA board holding closed-door meetings—but not telling you why? Under California law, HOA boards are only allowed to discuss five specific topics in executive session. Anything else must be done in public. In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains exactly what Civil Code § 4935 permits—and how boards routinely violate it. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This 1-Minute Tip: ✅ The five topics an HOA board can legally discuss in executive session.✅ Why topics like “potential liability,” budgets, landscaping, or general liability must be discussed in open session.✅...2025-07-2402 minHOA HELLHOA Drought Landscaping Rules: What California HOAs Can and Can’t EnforceCan your HOA force you to tear out your grass, install decomposed granite, or replace your flowers with cactus? Or can they fine you for not complying with state drought mandates or for letting your grass die? In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down California Civil Code section 4735 and what it actually says about drought-tolerant landscaping and what your HOA can and can’t do about it. Whether your HOA is trying to mandate artificial turf or deny you the right to conserve water, this episode gives California homeowners the clarity they...2025-07-2436 minHOA HELLDo Condo Owners Have to Make Fire Zone Disclosures in California?In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner exposes a dangerous gap in California law that affects nearly every condo owner trying to sell in a high fire hazard zone. California Civil Code section 1102.19 requires specific fire-related disclosures when selling property in high-risk areas. The problem with that is that the law fails to account for the unique position of condo owners, who often don’t own or control the roof, walls, or landscaping. This mismatch between legal duty and actual authority puts condo sellers at risk for lawsuits, cancelled escrows, and potentially massive liability. Kushner bre...2025-07-2237 minHOA HELLHOA Delaying Your Home Sale? You Can Do Something About ItEscrow is moving fast and suddenly your HOA won’t release the resale disclosures, inspection reports, or demand statement. You did everything right, but now your deal is falling apart, and the HOA’s silence is threatening to put you at financial risk. In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how sellers can enforce their rights when an HOA refuses to cooperate during escrow and why Civil Code section 5200 gives you the power to demand the documents your HOA is required to produce. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This 1-Minute Tip:✅ What...2025-07-1801 minHOA HELLWill My HOA’s Insurance Cover Damage Inside My Condo?If a pipe bursts or water leaks into your unit, will your HOA’s insurance cover the damage? In this HOA Q&A, attorney Michael Kushner tackles that question. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This HOA Q&A: ✅ What HOA master insurance policies typically cover and what they don’t.✅ Why drywall, flooring, cabinets, and personal property are usually excluded from HOA policies.✅ What an HO-6 condo policy is, and why every condo owner should consider getting one.✅ When HOA negligence could make them liable for the damage inside your unit. 🔔...2025-07-1801 minHOA HELLWhat Every California Homeowner Needs to Know About HOA Reserve Funds (Part 2-Conclusion)In this episode, Michael Kushner concludes this 2-part series by exposing how some boards don’t just underfund reserves, they engage in actual fraud. In this episode, Kushner exposes the deceptive tactics bad HOAs use to manipulate reserve studies, inflate their “percent funded” numbers, and avoid disclosing the true financial condition of their HOAs. From delisting major components and tampering with useful life calculations, to simply skipping reserve contributions altogether, Kushner walks you through how these schemes work, and how to recognize them. You’ll also learn what kinds of financial red flags to watch for in your HOA’...2025-07-1742 minHOA HELLWhat Every California Homeowner Needs to Know About HOA Reserve Funds (Part 1)Most homeowners know their HOA is supposed to set aside money for future repairs, but few understand how those funds are calculated, what they’re actually for, or what the “percent funded” number on their annual budget summary really means. In this episode of HOA HELL, which is Part 1 of 2, attorney Michael Kushner walks you through the core elements of a reserve fund and reserve study, explains how they’re structured under California law, and breaks down exactly what your reserve study should be telling you. From “Useful Life” and “Remaining Life” to “Current Replacement Cost,” Kushner explains how to spot...2025-07-1436 minHOA HELLService Animals— What Your HOA Can & Can’t DoIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how service animals are not pets under the law—and what your HOA can and cannot legally demand from you. Under both federal and California fair housing laws, service animals are assistive devices—like a wheelchair—and they’re protected. This includes dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses. Your HOA is legally allowed to ask only two questions: ✅ Is the animal required because of a disability? ✅ What work or task has it been trained to perform? Your HOA CANNOT: 2025-07-1401 minHOA HELLEmotional Support Animals— What Your HOA Can & Can’t DoIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains your rights when it comes to EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS—and how they differ from SERVICE ANIMALS under the law. Stay tuned for the next 1-Min Atty Tip, where I’ll cover SERVICE ANIMALS. But for now, here's what you need to know about emotional support animals: Under California and federal fair housing laws, an HOA must make reasonable accommodations for residents with a disability-related need for an emotional support animal—even if the HOA has a no-pets policy or rules about weight, breed, or number o...2025-07-1202 minHOA HELLHow to Flip an HOA Election Using Cumulative VotingCan a small group of owners flip an HOA election—even without majority support?Yes, if your HOA uses cumulative voting. And most do, unless they’ve formally opted out. In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, Michael Kushner explains how cumulative voting really works and how you can use it to break up an entrenched board majority. You’ll learn how vote-stacking works, why it’s effective in low-turnout elections, and why most election inspectors don’t even understand it. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This 1-Minute Tip: ✅ What cumulative voting is—and how it differs fro...2025-07-1101 minHOA HELLYou Have the Right to Install an EV Charging Station in Your Assigned Parking SpotIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains your legal right to install an electric vehicle charging station—even if your assigned parking spot is located in the common area. Under Civil Code section 4745, your HOA can’t ban EV chargers outright. They can impose reasonable conditions—like requiring permits, licensed contractors, and insurance—but they must respond within 60 days of your written request or it’s automatically approved by law. Kushner breaks down the requirements, the HOA’s limits, and how to push back if your board tries to stonewall you. 🔔 Subscrib...2025-07-1101 minHOA HELLIs Your HOA Charging You for Attorney Fees? It’s a Scam, so Push BackSome HOAs are quietly charging homeowners thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees without ever going to court, without winning a case, and without the legal right to do so. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down one of the most common and illegal tactics used by California HOAs: billing homeowners for legal fees during pre-litigation disputes. From consultation charges, to post-hearing letters, to general budget line items, Kushner exposes the ways boards (and their attorneys) disguise legal costs and illegally pass them on to unsuspecting homeowners. He explains what California law actually allows, wha...2025-07-1024 minHOA HELLWhat’s the Difference Between a “Regular” Demand Letter and An ADR Demand Letter?In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains why a standard demand letter might be a waste of time—and why an ADR Demand Letter under Civil Code §§ 5925–5940 gives you real legal leverage. Unlike informal letters that HOAs can simply ignore, an ADR Demand Letter triggers mandatory timelines and formal obligations to mediate. If the HOA refuses, that decision can come back to haunt them—even if they win in court. Civil Code § 5960 allows a judge to reduce or deny attorneys’ fees if a party unreasonably refuses to participate in ADR. And here's the st...2025-07-1001 minHOA HELLNeighbor Disputes—Your HOA Can’t Pretend It’s Not Their ProblemIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner breaks down what your HOA must do when a neighbor is breaking the rules. If you’re dealing with a neighbor who’s violating the CC&Rs—loud noise, illegal rentals, harassment, or other disruptive behavior—your HOA can’t just shrug and say, “It’s not our problem,” or “That’s a neighbor-to-neighbor issue.” Wrong. Under California law, HOAs have a fiduciary duty to enforce the governing documents—including nuisance provisions. That means if your neighbor is interfering with your quiet enjoyment or safety, or is otherwise...2025-07-0901 minHOA HELLIf Your Board Isn’t Providing You with the Mandatory Annual Disclosures, Make Them!In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains why annual disclosures from your HOA aren’t just good practice—they’re required by law. Under the Davis-Stirling Act, your board must send out a disclosure package every year. That includes the budget, reserve funding plan, insurance summary, financial statements, and several key notices—like enforcement policies and dispute resolution procedures. If they’re not sending that package by the statutory deadline, they’re not just being sloppy—they’re violating California law. Homeowners have every right to demand compliance. And if demands don’t wo...2025-07-0801 minHOA HELLWeaponizing Harassment: How HOAs Use that Word to Silence YouIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner exposes one of the most disturbing recent legal tactics used by HOA law firms today: labeling homeowners as “harassers” and threatening restraining orders against them for doing nothing more than filming rule violations, questioning unauthorized vendor activity, or demanding enforcement of the governing documents. Michael walks viewers through two real cease-and-desist letters sent by two of California’s top HOA-side firms—letters that don’t just misstate the law, but intentionally distort it beyond recognition. One firm threatened to sue for tortious interference because a homeowner took pictures. Another cla...2025-07-0837 minHOA HELLIs Your HOA Ignoring Unsafe Common Areas? What the Law Requires in CaliforniaSome HOAs are failing to perform the most basic duty they owe to their members—maintaining, repairing, and replacing common area elements. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down why so many California HOAs fall short, how that failure puts you at legal and financial risk, and what red flags you should be watching for if your board is dragging its feet. From cracked stairways and leaking roofs to ignored inspection reports and deferred slope repairs, Kushner walks listeners through the most common scenarios where HOA neglect creates real danger. He also outlines exa...2025-07-0744 minHOA HELLCan I Get My Attorneys’ Fees Back if I Sue My HOA?In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner answers a question that every homeowner should ask before taking legal action: Can I recover my attorneys’ fees if I sue my HOA and win? In most cases, the answer is yes. California’s Davis-Stirling Act entitles the prevailing party to attorneys’ fees and costs in enforcement actions (Civ. Code, § 5975), as well as in other cases, such as upon prevailing in a Writ to compel the HOA to produce documents under Civil Code section 5200 (Civ. Code, § 5235). Even better, it’s highly likely that your CC&Rs contain a...2025-07-0701 minHOA HELLDoes My HOA Have to Enforce Every Violation of the CC&Rs?Does your HOA have to chase down every violation, no matter how small? In this HOA Q&A, attorney Michael Kushner explains why enforcement is one of the board’s core duties under California law—but also why the law gives boards discretion in how they enforce. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This HOA Q&A: ✅ Why HOAs are legally required to enforce the governing documents.✅ When the board can choose not to enforce a technical or low-impact violation.✅ How selective enforcement can lead to legal liability—or invalidate the rule entirely.✅ W...2025-07-0701 minHOA HELLSecurity Cameras—Yes, You Can Watch Your Own Front DoorIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains why your HOA can’t stop you from installing a video-only security camera—as long as it’s directed at your own front door or another area under your exclusive control. You can install a camera pointed at your front door, porch, or eave—as long as those areas are part of your separate interest or exclusive use common area. That’s where the law protects your right to safeguard your home and family. But here’s the boundary: you don’t have the right to install...2025-07-0501 minHOA HELLGot Fined by Your HOA Without Notice? That’s Illegal.In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner breaks down a common (and illegal) HOA tactics: penalizing homeowners without proper notice. Under Civil Code section 5855, your HOA must give you at least 10 days’ written notice before holding a disciplinary hearing—and the notice must include the date, time, and reason. If your board fines you or suspends your rights without that notice, their action is legally invalid. This isn’t a technicality—it’s a defense. You can demand reversal and, if needed, raise it in small claims or superior court. Know your rights befor...2025-07-0401 minHOA HELLWant to Rally Other Homeowners? Get the HOA Member ListIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how to legally demand access to the HOA’s membership list—including names, property addresses, and email addresses. Under Civil Code sections 5200 and 5225, you’re entitled to this information as long as your request is reasonably related to your interest as a member. Most owners—and many board members—don’t realize that unless someone has affirmatively opted out, their email address must be disclosed too. If you want to organize a recall, oppose a rule, or just communicate with your neighbors, this tip gives you the...2025-07-0301 minHOA HELLHOA Won’t Let You Park Your EV on the Driveway? Here’s What the Law Really SaysTrying to charge your electric vehicle—but your HOA’s driveway rules won’t let you?In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how neutral-sounding HOA rules—like “you must use your garage before parking on the driveway”—can end up disproportionately burdening EV owners. Under California law, HOAs aren’t required to install charging infrastructure, but they also can’t enforce rules that effectively block you from charging your EV at home without offering a reasonable alternative. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This 1-Minute Tip:✅ Why some driveway restrictions...2025-07-0201 minHOA HELLDemand for Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR): Your Free Legal Pressure ToolIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how to invoke Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR)—a powerful, free legal tool that forces your HOA to the table. Under Civil Code section 5910, if you request an IDR meeting, the board is legally required to participate. Most homeowners have no idea this right exists. But a simple written request can shift the balance, build a paper trail, and show that you’re acting reasonably while the board may not be. Kushner explains when to use it, how to ask for it, and why it can be...2025-07-0201 minHOA HELLCan Non-Owners Serve on the HOA Board?Can a renter, property manager, or relative of a homeowner serve on your HOA board? In this HOA Q&A, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down why California law limits board eligibility to owners only—and what happens when that rule gets ignored. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This HOA Q&A: ✅ What California law says about who can serve on the HOA board.✅ Who counts as a “member”—and who doesn’t.✅ What it means legally if non-owners are serving on the board. Michael explains how HOAs sometimes break this rule without realiz...2025-07-0101 minHOA HELLIf Your Board Isn’t Doing Their Job Properly, Recall ThemIn this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains how easy it actually is to start the process of recalling your HOA board. Most homeowners don’t realize that a recall petition only takes 5% of the membership to trigger a recall election—and in many cases, it’s easier to recall the entire board than just one or two members. If you’re fed up with unresponsive or rogue board members, this is the legal strategy you need to know. Kushner breaks down the numbers, the voting rules, and why this little-known tool can be a game-ch...2025-07-0101 minHOA HELLCan You Withhold HOA Dues During a Dispute? Here’s Why That’s a Huge Mistake in CaliforniaThink you can withhold your HOA dues because you're in a dispute? Even if your HOA is in the wrong—California law doesn’t allow you to offset or suspend payments. In this 1-Minute Attorney Tip, California HOA attorney Michael Kushner explains why refusing to pay your dues—even “on principle”—can backfire badly. From penalties to foreclosure, the risks are real. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This 1-Minute Tip: ✅ Why California law does not recognize a homeowner’s right to offset HOA dues.✅ What can happen if you stop paying—even when your...2025-07-0101 minHOA HELLHOA Justice, Mob Style: What Tulsa King Gets Wrong—and Right—About HOA FinesSylvester Stallone vs. the HOA? In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner reacts to a fun clip from Tulsa King where Stallone’s character gets slapped with an on-the-spot $100 fine for leaving his garage door open too long. But here in California, it wouldn’t—and legally couldn’t—go down like that. Not that a lot of HOAs don’t try. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why HOA fines in California must follow a strict legal process (Civil Code § 5855).✅ What Stallone’s Tulsa King scene gets laughably wrong—and disturbingly right.2025-06-3022 minHOA HELLHOA Embezzlement: Real HOA Theft Cases in California (Part 2-Conclusion)When an HOA board starts hiding financial records, limiting access to bank accounts, or rubber-stamping reimbursements with no documentation—homeowners need to pay attention. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down five red flags that often signal financial misconduct inside an HOA, and explains the specific tools California homeowners can use to expose it. From obstructed inspection requests to board members who refuse to answer basic questions, Kushner walks listeners through how these issues actually play out—and how to push back using the Davis-Stirling Act. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episod...2025-06-3043 minHOA HELLHOAs vs. Marijuana—Who Wins?Can your HOA stop you from using marijuana? What about when it’s medically necessary? In this HOA Q&A, attorney Michael Kushner explains how California law treats marijuana use in HOA communities, and why context matters when it comes to enforcement. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This HOA Q&A: ✅ When HOAs can ban smoking marijuana—even for medical use.✅ Why shared walls and ventilation systems make a difference.✅ When a total ban might be unreasonable in single-family homes.✅ How medical necessity may support a request for reasonable accommodation under...2025-06-2702 minHOA HELLHOA Embezzlement: Real HOA Theft Cases in California (Part 1)HOA embezzlement is real—and it’s happening in California communities just like yours. In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, attorney Michael Kushner exposes real-life examples of theft and financial misconduct inside HOAs, including actual news reports from Chula Vista and Santa Monica. Whether it’s padded invoices, unauthorized reimbursements, or shady board/manager collusion, these cases reveal just how easy it is for dishonest insiders to siphon your money. And while most boards do the right thing, those that don’t are counting on one thing: that no one will look too closely. This episode breaks th...2025-06-2741 minHOA HELLUncovered: The Shocking Truth About HOA Insurance—and What It Means for YouThink your HOA’s master insurance policy protects you? Think again. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down the shocking gaps in HOA insurance—and how they can leave homeowners stuck with five- or six-figure bills after a disaster. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The real difference between condos, planned developments, and townhomes.✅ What your HOA’s master policy usually covers—and what it doesn’t.✅ When HO-6 policies are essential, and who actually needs one.✅ Why most HOAs don’t carry earthquake insurance (and what that me...2025-06-2533 minHOA HELLEmergency or Excuse? How HOAs Use “Safety” to Justify Illegal Emergency AssessmentsA few months ago in Modesto, an HOA blindsided its members with a $25,000-per-unit “emergency” assessment to replace just eight red-tagged balconies—without a vote, and without following key legal procedures. And this isn’t just a Modesto problem. Across California, HOAs are abusing the emergency assessment loophole—declaring preventable maintenance issues as “emergencies” so they can skip a member vote and impose massive charges on homeowners. In this episode of HOA HELL, Michael Kushner and senior associate Sam Khil break down how emergency assessments are supposed to work under California law—and how boards are viol...2025-06-2324 minHOA HELLCan Your HOA Stop You from Going Solar? What California Law Really SaysCalifornia law gives you the right to install solar energy systems—but that doesn’t stop some HOAs from trying to block or delay you. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner explains exactly what the law allows, what your HOA can (and can’t) do, and how to fight back if your solar plans are denied or ignored. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ What Civil Code §§ 714, 714.1, and 4746 actually say—and how they apply to both single-family homes and condos.✅ How HOAs illegally use “aesthetic standards” to block legal solar projects.✅ W...2025-06-2039 minHOA HELLWhy Your HOA Has the Upper Hand—and 7 Legal Tools to Fight BackHOAs have real power. And it’s not just because of outdated governing documents or unchecked boards. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner dissects the flawed logic behind a podcast hosted by a lawyer he once hired and trained—who now claims to run the most experienced HOA law firm in California. Kushner explains why homeowners are often outgunned—and delivers 7 legal tools that actually explain, and begin to correct, the imbalance. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why HOAs have so much legal and procedural power over homeowners.✅ What the Business...2025-06-1847 minHOA HELLCommon Area Nightmares: What to Do When Your HOA Won’t Repair, Replace, or MaintainIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner tackles one of the most frustrating and costly HOA disputes homeowners face: when the HOA refuses to repair or maintain common areas. From leaking roofs and cracked patios, to slope failures and hidden pipe damage, these common area nightmares cause real harm—and often leave homeowners stuck with the bill. But California law gives you real power to fight back. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ What California law actually requires your HOA to maintain—and what it doesn’t.✅ What to do when the HOA...2025-06-1643 minHOA HELLYour HOA’s Paper Trail: How to Use Civil Code § 5200 to Get Every Document You NeedIf your HOA has ever dodged your questions, withheld financial records, or made you feel like you don’t have the right to know how your dues are being spent—this episode is for you. California Civil Code § 5200 gives you powerful rights to demand specific HOA records—and Civil Code § 5235 gives you the power to enforce those rights in court, fast and without the cost of a full-blown lawsuit. In this episode, attorney Michael Kushner explains how to use § 5200 to obtain your HOA’s bank statements, invoices, meeting minutes, contracts, tax returns, reserve balances, and more—and how...2025-06-1342 minHOA HELLHow Are CC&Rs, Bylaws, Rules, and Architectural Guidelines Different From Each Other?Ever wonder whether your HOA can actually do what it’s doing? Whether it’s issuing fines, denying architectural requests, or citing obscure rules—none of it matters if the board doesn’t have legal authority. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down the four core governing documents that every California HOA relies on—CC&Rs, Bylaws, Rules, and Architectural Guidelines—and explains exactly how they work under the Davis-Stirling Act. You’ll learn the legal hierarchy, how to recognize board overreach, and how to push back when your HOA crosses the line. 2025-06-1122 minHOA HELLSpotlight: Director From Hell Assaults a HomeownerThis is what HOA abuse of power looks like—and we caught it on video. If it didn’t really happen, it would actually be funny because of how pathetic this director’s personal life must really be. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner is joined by his former client Kourosh Amini to expose a disturbing example of egregious HOA director abuse (including assault) and it was caught on video. A director obsessed with power and control stalks a homeowner (who happens to fit into a particular ethnic category), confronts him with wild accusations, repeate...2025-06-1029 minHOA HELLDog Bites, Emotional Distress, and Everything in Between (Part 6 of 6 Series)In the final episode of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner tackles the lesser-known but still highly effective legal claims that often go overlooked in neighbor disputes. These “legal wildcards” may not fit the typical categories of nuisance or trespass—but they can be just as powerful when applied correctly. Michael explains how negligence and waste show up in real-life HOA and neighbor conflicts, breaks down exactly what conversion is and how it differs from theft, and provides a brutally honest look at why Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress claims are so difficult to win in HOA...2025-06-0939 minHOA HELLHarassment, Surveillance & Defamation: When Neighbor Drama Turns Personal (Part 5 of 6-Part Series)In Episode 5 of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner explores the most emotionally charged—and legally dangerous—types of neighbor conflict: harassment, surveillance, defamation, and even physical assault or battery. If your neighbor is yelling through walls, filming through your windows or into your yard, spreading lies about you, or crossing the line physically, this episode will show you how to document it, stop it, and legally protect yourself. Michael explains what qualifies as civil harassment under California Code of Civil Procedure § 527.6, how to challenge illegal surveillance under Civil Code § 1708.8 and Penal Code § 647(j), and when a f...2025-06-0638 minHOA HELLHOAs & Neighbor Disputes: When the Association Becomes the Problem (Part 4 of 6-Part Series)In Episode 4 of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down one of the most common—and infuriating—scenarios homeowners face: when your HOA refuses to intervene in neighbor disputes. Whether your HOA is enforcing the rules selectively, ignoring serious violations, or pretending it’s “not their problem,” this episode will show you exactly how to force them to act.Michael explains what kinds of disputes the HOA is almost always obligated to address—like noise, nuisance, view obstruction, harassment, and privacy violations—and what steps you can take to compel enforcement under California’s Davis-Stirling A...2025-06-0529 minHOA HELLTrespass, Encroachments & Spite Fences: Defending Your Dirt (Part 3 of a 6-Part Series)In Episode 3 of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner is joined by senior associate Sam Khil to tackle one of the most aggressive categories of neighbor conflict: trespass, encroachments, grading manipulation, and spite fences. If you’ve ever discovered a fence or other structure built on your property, watched runoff destroy your landscaping, or had a neighbor claim rights to land you own—whether it’s an inch or much more than that—then this episode will give you the tools to fight back. Michael and Sam unpack how California law treats physical and structural invasions...2025-06-0333 minHOA HELLPrivate Nuisance: From Noise Complaints to Odor Issues (Part 1 of 6-Part Series)In this first episode of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner breaks down one of the most common—and misunderstood—legal tools in California neighbor law: the private nuisance.Whether it’s relentless noise, recurring foul odors, or something harder to pin down like light pollution, Michael explains when everyday annoyances cross the legal threshold and become actionable. Drawing from Civil Code § 3479 and local ordinances, this episode walks you through the elements of a nuisance claim, how to distinguish between permanent and continuing nuisances, and what kind of relief you can actually get—from injunctions to damage...2025-06-0242 minHOA HELLTrees, Roots & the Right to Chop: Navigating Nature’s Property Line Wars (Part 2 of 6-Part Series)In Episode 02 of our 6-part Neighbor Dispute Series, attorney Michael Kushner digs into one of the most common—and most expensive—sources of neighbor conflict in California: tree disputes. Whether it’s overhanging branches, root damage, or a tree blocking your view, this episode explains when you can act, when you need permission, and when you’re setting yourself up for a lawsuit. You’ll learn the difference between your nearly absolute right to cut back overhanging branches versus your more limited right to cut back invasive roots. Michael also breaks down the legal consequences of cutting down a neig...2025-06-0227 minHOA HELLHOA Lies About Rentals—and What California Law Actually SaysHOAs across California are misleading homeowners about what they can and can’t do when it comes to renting out their property. Whether it’s an arbitrary rental cap, an outdated restriction buried in the CC&Rs, or a flat-out ban, the result is the same: intimidation, confusion, and lost income. But the law tells a different story—and in this episode of HOA HELL, noted attorney and HOA expert Michael Kushner cuts through the noise.You’ll hear how Civil Code §§ 4740 and 4741 actually work, why those provisions of the Davis-Stirling Act changed California’s rental landscape, and what to...2025-05-2924 minHOA HELLThe Insurance Squeeze: How Rising Premiums Are Threatening California HOAsCalifornia homeowners are getting blindsided by soaring HOA insurance costs—but what’s actually driving this crisis? In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner breaks it down: the real reasons behind exploding premiums, how it's impacting HOAs statewide.What You’ll Learn in this Episode✅ The real causes behind soaring HOA insurance premiums: Wildfires, insurer exits, and a strangling regulatory environment—Michael Kushner explains why California’s insurance market is collapsing and how HOAs are getting caught in the fallout. ✅ How rising premiums are quietly destroying HOAs: Boards are scrambling, dues are spiking, co...2025-05-2837 minHOA HELLNavigating HOA Disputes: A Homeowner’s GuideIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner delivers something every California homeowner needs: a step-by-step playbook for holding your HOA accountable.If you’ve been dealing with a dysfunctional board—whether it’s ignoring maintenance obligations, enforcing rules unevenly, or blocking your improvement requests without justification—this episode gives you the legal roadmap to fight back effectively and professionally.Joined by MBK Chapman senior associate Sam Khil, Michael explains exactly what to do when your HOA crosses the line, and why the law is often more on your side than you’ve been led to bel...2025-05-2629 minHOA HELLHOAs Under Fire: The Push for Transparency and Homeowner RightsIn this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner takes on a topic that cuts to the core of every California homeowner’s battle with their HOA: transparency. This episode focuses on the very brief rise—and immediate fall—of Assembly Bill 21, a 2025 legislative proposal that would have forced HOAs to operate with the same level of transparency as public agencies.Kushner breaks down what AB 21 would have required, why it terrified HOA boards and management companies, and how its demise exposes some of the most critical enforcement loopholes in California’s Davis-Stirling Act. You’ll hear stories of...2025-05-2229 minHOA HELLThe Consequences of California's Balcony LawWhat started as a well-meaning safety law has turned into a financial wrecking ball for thousands of California homeowners. In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner—one of the pioneers of HOA litigation in California—is joined by senior associate at MBK Chapman, Sam Khil, to break down California’s Balcony Law and its devastating unintended consequences for everyday homeowners.In this podcast, you’ll learn: • Why the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse led to California’s new inspection mandates.• How this important law is now triggering massive special assessments in HOAs all over California...2025-05-2140 minHOA HELLClick to Vote: California's New HOA Electronic Voting LawDid you know that on January 1, 2025, a new law went into effect that, for the first time ever, allows HOAs to adopt electronic voting procedures—without the red tape that used to make it nearly impossible? In this episode of HOA Hell, attorney and a leading authority on HOA law, Michael Kushner, along with his producer, Justin Rodriguez, take a deep dive into California’s new HOA Electronic Voting Law (otherwise known as AB 2159). This podcast will cover several key topics, including:• The problems associated with paper ballots and the old way of doing th...2025-05-2036 min
Dear Multi-hyphenateS2; EP 2 -- Michael Cyril Creighton: Only Multi-Hyphenates in the BuildingWho is absolutely loving HULU’s Only Murders in the Building? I am! On this episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, we have the loveable Michael Cyril Creighton who plays Howard Morris on Only Murders in the Building on HULU. We discuss how Michael was compelled to create his own work and how it created a domino effect of constant work in the industry. It’s all about writing what you know, and Michael certainly proves that theory. How did he end up from working the box office to working on some of the most successful tv shows and films of all time...2024-09-1656 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#102 - Jodi Carter: Taxes and Financial Mentality“What ever jobs you have on your path to where you're trying to get to to your vision all matter. And the fact that we call these things a side hustle or we talk about ‘the unwanted jobs' and all of those types of descriptions… it's not empowering people.” -- Jodi Carter
When it comes to being an artist, what is the first thing we have to know about money?
According to Jodi Carter, it’s a new language. A wow, do we discover a new language in this episode. This episode is deeply...2024-02-271h 22
Dear Multi-hyphenate#94 - Shivani Desai: Don’t Overpitch Yourself“At its core, fundamentally being a multi-hyphenate is, to me, about exploration and not limiting yourself to one particular thing just because your natural strengths lie in that one particular thing.” -- Shivani Desai
In this episode, we discuss…
The importance of keeping hobbies separate from our hyphens.
Starting a new small business.
How multi-hyphenating helped get Michael out of a depressive episode.
The importance of workflow.
The common traps of netweaving.
Leaning out and not overpitching yourself.
Small, yet important...2023-09-111h 00
Dear Multi-hyphenate#93 - Jamie Forshaw: Producing with Passion at Madison Wells Live“The minute we think we know everything, or do everything… we become irrelevant.” – Jamie Forshaw
What happens when we stop learning? What happens when we stop exploring? That’s what makes Jamie Forshaw’s artistry as a producer with Madison Wells Live extremely personal and special – he doesn’t stop exploring. We as artists always have to keep exploring… and sometimes that exploration heals us from a nervous breakdown or have massive commercial hits on Broadway.
In this episode we discuss…
Why we do what we do
Exploration...2023-08-221h 04
Dear Multi-hyphenate#87 - Jonathan Estabrooks: Creating a Production Business“I am living my best life. Honestly, the multi-hyphenate life, for me, is the best life. I can wake up and I am never bored. I am engaged and driven to work on different things.”
Jonathan Estabrooks went to Juilliard for opera, but just like many of us, turned his other interests into professional capabilities. And multi-hyphenates… we know how to pivot. During the pandemic, just like millions of others, spun the situation into something positive and became Vice President and head of recording for Emitha, a company which focuses on production, design, and production for artists, by art...2023-05-1158 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#84 - Derek McLane & Eila Mell: Designing BroadwayTony and Emmy Winning Production Designer Derek McLane and Eila Mell have come together to create the new hit book Designing Broadway, available wherever books are sold! This episode is incredible for all artists – especially theatre designers who are beginning to explore their multi-hyphenate identities.
Together with other leading set design and theatre talents, McLane invites us into the immersive and exhilarating experience of building the striking visual worlds that have brought so many of our favorite stories to life. Discover how designers generate innovative ideas, research period and place, solve staging challenges, and collaborate with directors, pro...2023-03-281h 01
Dear Multi-hyphenate#83 - Michael Minarik: Cheap Happiness or Lofty Suffering?What if training to be on Broadway didn’t cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars? What if it didn’t come with some of the toxic environments students often experience when studying for their BFA? What if students can train intensively in a safer and more equitable space? That’s where Michael Minarik of IAMT comes in.
What’s in this episode?
Treating yourself after auditions or small wins
Rejection is not about your soul
Finding joy from within
Not being debt after college
Why th...2023-03-131h 05
Dear Multi-hyphenate#82 - Ilana Levine: My Jewish GoddessIlana Levine has got a lot of stories. I mean, a lot of stories. From Mel Brooks to Edie Falco to Michael Mayer, Ilana’s career path is a testament to who she is: an incredible talent and a brilliant human being. This incredible informative episode tackles so much about networking, identity, and creativity.
What’s in a Jewish name?
How Ilana’s 9 year old crush helped establish her career.
When it’s necessary to burn a bridge.
How her first musical she ever did was on Broadway.
How Ilana joi...2023-02-211h 10
Dear Multi-hyphenate#78 - Carson Kressley: ’Saying Yes’“I think that multi-hyphenates, and I’m flattered to be included in that bracket, they’re just creatives. It’s like you have a drivers license but some days you drive a truck, and some days you drive a car, and some days you drive a forklift, or whatever – the vehicle changes but I think they artist’s heart is always the same. We love to create things, we love to express who we are, we love to maybe entertain, we love to connect with people in that way. So I don’t really think it’s a matter of what your ski...2022-12-2653 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#68 - LIVE @ BroadwayCon 2022: John Cariani, Kaisha Huguley, Michael Kushner, Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and Jen WaldmanThis amazing episode features an incredible live panel from BroadwayCon 2022, featuring some of the leading multi-hyphenates in the Broadway, television, and film communities. Topics include process and product, boundaries, and so much more.
John Cariani – Broadway: Caroline, or Change; The Band’s Visit; Something Rotten! (Outer Critics Circle Award nom.); Fiddler on the Roof (Tony Award nom.; Outer Critics Circle Award). Off-Broadway: The Atlantic, The Public, Transport Group. Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, Center Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Several films. Television includes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Blacklist, The Good Wife, Homel...2022-07-1359 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#67 - Jared Grimes: My Gifts Are Not A Distraction“Being a multi-hyphenate is not a disability – it’s an ability. It’s an advantage.”
Jared Grimes is a Tony Nominated actor currently starring in Funny Girl on Broadway. His effervescent energy lights up the stage every night at The August Wilson Theatre. In this episode, his energy continues into our conversation as we discuss what being a “bag of tricks” in this industry actually means.
In this episode, we discover Grimes’ road to Broadway, how he turned his ADD diagnosis into multi-hyphenation, inspirations, getting people in power to understand the multi-hyphenate, and we chat about how tap opened up his eyes to the a...2022-06-2946 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#64 - Roman Molino Dunn: It’s Not About You“When I was younger I tended to think that I was an artist, and now I tend to think I’m more of an artistic collaborator… at least in my job. I’m certainly and artist at heart but when it’s for work, it’s not about me.”
Calling all artists who are collaborators! Roman Molino Dunn is one of the leading music producers and film scorers in our industry. Not only is a multi-hyphenate himself, he works with multi-hyphenates in our industry. His approach is different from many who collaborate – and gives himself over completely to the artist wh...2022-04-2751 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#61 - Rye Myers: Hey Listen! Marketing, Producing, and Sponsorships in the Theatre“I think with mistakes and failure, you really learn who the other person is. Sometimes failure and mistakes are more informative to who your people are because then you really see who you’re working with – the real people – and how they handle high stakes, handle drama, and handle problem solving.”
Ry Myers is a brilliant, accessible and adorable host and producer who somehow appears to be in more than one place in the industry at once. His brain moves a mile a minute, as do his words, and his effervescent energy is enough to lasso you in. This e...2022-03-1458 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#59 - Brian Jordan Jr.: People See Me As Revolutionary“I think collaboration is the birthplace for brilliance.” - Brian Jordan Jr.
Isn’t it amazing how in our industry you can move to one place just to get relocated in a new town? Brian Jordan Jr., had that exact experience. He moved from Atlanta to LA… only to go back to Atlanta.
“Atlanta is a place where the cost of living is significantly cheaper than LA or New York,” says Jordan Jr., “I think when you are at the beginning of your career and trying to figure out things: where you belong and how to market yourself and where you fit and lear...2022-02-161h 03
Dear Multi-hyphenate#57 - Leigh Silverman: What is Essential?“It is, I think in the funhouse of this time, a very, very hard thing to feel like the job that you do and the way that you do it, and the life that you’ve chose as your north star is not there… and not only a thing you always felt was essential, but you really start to understand the word essential and you understand it differently and you understand it doesn’t include you.” - Leigh Silverman.
We’re trying, right? As we emerge from the rubble of this pandemic, lifting the theatre up has been a Hercu...2022-01-1837 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#56 - Josh Johnston: Wiping My Feet at the Door“You’re only the new kid in town once. I disagree with that. You’re the new kid in town every six months because everyone has a short memory.” - Josh Johnston.
Happy 2022, everyone! Born into a theatre family, Josh Johnston has a perspective on the industry fresh enough to start the new year right. One of the best things Josh promotes is his use of boundaries, something we all can implement more, especially since we’ve been so available thanks to the use of social media and Zoom.
“Sometimes I think we all need that space to...2022-01-031h 01
Dear Multi-hyphenate#53 - Ben Fankhauser: It Always Works OutWhat’s it like to open the first new musical post Broadway shut down? Ben Fankhauser and Alex Wyse have come together to create A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet, a new musical playing Off-Broadway at the DR2 Theatre in NYC.
“The amount of time that you have is the correct amount of time,” Fankhauser says. “That idea that like, ‘Ugh -- if I only had another week’ it’s like that took me a long amount of time to grow out of that idea because you have exactly the amount of time that you need.”
This is the men...2021-09-2956 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#52 - Jason Rodriguez: Agencies in the Theatre Industry“Wow, first of all I love that word. When I first saw it in an email, I was like, ‘It’s gotta be the cousin to multi-faceted’ because that’s the word I carry with me.”
Jason tried for the conservatory. He tried for Macbeth. He tried to be the Latinx Carrie Bradshaw. He couldn’t be just one -- he had to find a way to access all of these proficiencies. “When you come from a place without privilege or access, you have no choice but to be multi or just fall to the ground,” says Rodriguez.
Jason understands that his work doesn...2021-09-1547 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#51 - Roger Q. Mason: Wig the F*ck Out“Child, I said dust mites of opportunity -- Lord help us, Jesus.”
Roger Q. Mason (they/them) is an energy like no other. When they were twelve years old, Mason felt the most free when standing on stage -- which was taken away by queer shaming and gener policing. After spending years, reclaiming what they lost, Mason became versed in writing, though they kept performing and writing separate.
“At that time, I was interested still in being a man of letters -- so I still had a very two dimensional literary relationship to writing. I hadn’t...2021-08-1859 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#48 - Carlie Craig: Have the Finish Line in PlaceCarlie Craig (MadTV) and host Michael Kushner started their journey into the theatre industry together when they were young kids. Growing up doing theatre in a facility that houses national tours, music performances, comedians, fine art and more - it allowed us to be exposed to a plethora of different kinds of art.
The pandemic has caused many artists to revisit the things they know are true. And for Carlie, it’s back to the basics. Heading back to her home state of Florida, she’s not only spending a temporary time where she grew up but also...2021-07-0747 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#47 - Erik Liberman: The Near Death ExperienceHappy Pride!
"Ultimately, I think our job as artists is to share the secrets of our heart so that others may be set free... saving our own lives so that others can save theirs."
Erik Liberman soothes the soul, simple as that. Whether or not it’s his voice, his charm, his talent, or his point of view, Erik makes the world better for other people.
“It’s not enough to want to make it, you’ve got to have something to make it with,” is a quote he holds near and dear. After the e...2021-06-2357 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#46 - L Morgan Lee: The Perception of the Multi-HyphenateHappy Pride!
“The type of multi-hyphenate I am is I need to really clearly be able to compartmentalize what version of myself is being put into what thing. In terms of photography, if I have not been doing freeform things - I feel like I’m being worked to the bone.”
L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop) is an artist who sees herself through her photography. And if anyone wants to know anything about her, all you have to do is look at one of her images. As we celebrate Pride month in 2021, this episode is an e...2021-06-091h 00
Dear Multi-hyphenate#45 - Mary Jo McConnell: Healing: The Artist & The Combat Soldier“I am a believer in the ‘Why’. Once I owned that purpose, once I identified that that was my purpose… all my hyphens made sense. Instead of feeling like a jack of all trades, master of none - I was finally under this umbrella of ‘Why’. I’m a healer.”
Mary Jo McConnell’s purpose is simple: to heal. Not only is this incredible artist a part of the theatre industry for 35+ years as an actor, but her identity as a Veteran has provided her the incredible opportunity to work with, and most importantly heal, Veterans by using theatre as me...2021-05-2655 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#44 - Vasthy Mompoint: Find Your Treehouse“I think there needs to be a new wave of producers who lead from the heart. Producing can be an artistic, beautiful process if you choose to make it that way.”
Vasthy Mompoint has frequented Broadway in shows such as The Prom, Spongebob, Mary Poppins, and more. Most recently, Vasthy played Tameka in the Ryan Murphy Netflix film version of The Prom. She is also the creator of Vasthy’s Friends, a children’s show born out of the realization that there is a disconnect in the education system regarding racism and equality, which promotes activism in kids. 2021-05-1249 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#43 - Jen Waldman: The Titanic Leader“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on him not understanding it.”
If we looked at the industry like a cell, Jen Waldman would be the mitochondria, or the powerhouse. With a lustrous career on stage, Jen began to venture into other facets in the industry breaking down barrier after barrier as an acting teacher - acting coach - leadership coach - podcaster - business owner - director/choreographer.
“When it's working at it’s best,” Waldman says of her outlook on theatre, “I think of theatre as really respon...2021-04-2856 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#42 - Christine Toy Johnson: Breaking the Color Barrier“Being open to the idea that your dreams coming true often look very different to how you first imagine them.”
Bringing compassion and kindness; intentional generosity into whatever space is possible. That’s what Come From Away’s Christine Toy Johnson is all about. In fact, that’s what this whole episode is about. From sharing where we were on 9/11 to global world views in casting a representation, in this episode we tackle what it means to integrate compassion, kindness, and intentional generosity into our art.
When did Christine start to identify as a multi-hyphenate? When Christi...2021-04-141h 01
Dear Multi-hyphenate#41 - PennyWild: An Artist’s Guilt“It’s not going to be perfect, but nothing is perfect. The hardest thing about making music is finishing music.”
How does the multi-hyphenate differ from coast to coast? On this episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, dj-choreographer-producer-performer, wasn’t originally drawn to the word multi-hyphenate or “Renaissance Woman”. But in 2021, Penny Wildman, who also goes by PENNYWILD, resonates with the phrase as she no longer waits for permission to tackle her avenues.
Are we in a new era of Artist’s Guilt and has it flipped on its head? Where an Artist's Guilt is usually born out of an artis...2021-03-311h 00
Dear Multi-hyphenate#40 - Alex Wyse: ”Oh, the Humanity!”“I don’t feel good about myself in the day unless I’m making something.” This inspiring and hysterical episode is just two gay, Jewish boys kibbitzing about our trajectories in the theatre while breaking down stereotypes and expectations. If you’re a fan of the hit web series Indoor Boys, breaking heteronormitve barriers, selling projects, and… The Hindenburg… then this episode is for you.
Alex Wyse is an accomplished actor in tv/film and Broadway who not only performs, but his hyphens also include writer, director, and producer. From his earliest memories of being an aspiring child magician...2021-03-1753 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#39 - Stephanie Klapper: Multi-Hyphenates & The Casting DirectorCasting directors are often seen as gatekeepers to opportunities in the industry - but does the multi-hyphenate approach help them? The answer is yes.
We’ve all had audition horror stories - and whether or not it’s the casting directors fault our own, it’s never too late to live and learn. And as always, knowing yourself as a multi-hyphenate often is the answer to avoid those icky situations.
Join one of New York’s leading casting directors Stephanie Klapper as she breaks down and opens up about the cast...2021-03-0355 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#38 - Tsilala Brock: Standards of ExcellenceTsilala Brock is letting life thrill her, though she originally had trouble with coming to terms with her multi-hyphenate identity. Her journey was calling upon skills and proficiencies that she didn’t necessarily study in college. Why do we feel guilt when moving away from our past? Yet Tsilala would experience her multi-hyphenate mindset and would help her on the national tour of Book of Mormon, as she was both a dance captain and swing. But how would her experience with Book of Mormon help Tsilala become a fully flushed out and inspired multi-hyphenate? In this episode, we discuss th...2021-02-1751 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#37 - Backstage Bazaar: Helping Out The Purple Squirrel"When someone asks you to do a job - you just say yes and then you figure out how to do it later on." Though that might sound backwards - the lesson is to open the door and at least welcome opportunity - that's what this episode is all about. How did two fabulous women with similar backgrounds begin working on a completely new (and scary!) endeavor? After Erin Slattery Black posted an idea on Facebook, she received an overwhelming response, including a message from Truly Carmichael who offerend help to launch Backstage Bazaar, a virtual marketplace showcasing the...2021-02-0351 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#36 - Kaisha Huguley: Creating On Tik TokFacebook. Twitter. Instagram. And now Tik Tok? After changing her major seven times, Kaisha Huguley went from Government worker to fresh faced artist in NYC. When her co-workers asked her where she'd be working in New York, they expected her to say The United Nations - but Kaisha had other plans... to be an actor. Upon moving to NYC, Kaisha quickly understood that her collegiate experiences could help her identify as an artistic multi-hyphenate. As she discovered the word 'multi-hyphenate' described her best, she wanted to inspire other artists to go on their own artistic journey. So, she got...2021-01-2047 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#35 - Kimberly Faye Greenberg: Multi-tasking vs. Multi-HyphenatingUsed to being looked at like a crazy person, Kimberly Faye Greenberg spins many different plates. She is an actor, an educator, a dresser on Broadway, created her own one woman show based on the life Fanny Brice, and the founder of her business, The Broadway Expert. What's it like leading a life without rules? Learn how Kimberly would be doing TWO Off Broadway shows at once... then run to the Imperial Theatre on Broadway to dress backstage of Billy Elliot, all while still in her show lashes. Kimberly also tells us what it's like to navigate having her...2021-01-0652 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#34 - Carly Valancy: The Reach Out Party!This episode, featuring Carly Valancy, focuses on creating a condition in which something might happen. One action, one motion and bam - you're able to tell your story from your perspective. Sounds simple - and it's something that Carly, founder of The Reach Out Party, has mastered. Carly's objective is to be a full time artist, which comes with so many different meanings, perspectives, and forms. Her motive is to bring art into artless spaces and for you to recognize that you, the artist, are magicians and the power that comes with it. Listen to how - by just...2020-12-2348 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#33 - Michael McElroy: It’s Too Easy To Go Back to the Way Things WereJourneys are filled with lots of hills and valleys, or valleys of preparation. In those valleys, there are moments that are needed because there is something you have to navigate or move through to appreciate when you're standing on the mountaintop again. Michael McElroy joins Dear Multi-Hyphenate in this emotional, thought provoking, and intense conversation with one of the biggest hearts in the Broadway community. Michael and Michael chat about an artist's response to a pandemic, the future of theatre, creating more inclusive spaces, and honoring diverse voices and lived experiences through artistic training. Michael earned his BFA in...2020-12-1044 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#32– Grace McLean: The Bisy BacksonA multi-hyphenate is usually busy, and that's seen as a compliment - but why? And does it have to be a compliment? Great Comet's Grace McLean has a lot of interests all stemming from the same seed, and in this episode, the ferocious Broadway actor and musician chats about her latest endeavour, In the Green, which played Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3's Claire Tow Theater in 2019. Not only was she a performer in this piece, but she wrote it. Michael and Grace connect over being Bisy Backsons (The Tao of Pooh reference) and discuss Michael's latest article for Backstage...2020-11-2649 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#31 - Priya Mahendra: The Common DenominatorPriya Mahendra loves show business. After growing up in an Indian household filled with music, she grew up to live the life we see on Entourage, but just recently decided to start performing. She created The Princess Possibility Project, a consciously inclusive video series made during quarantine that brings to life the hopes, constraints, dreams and desires of seven Princesses through their “I Want” songs. Priya comes to Dear Multi-Hyphenate to talk about this incredible project, as well as why she considers herself a 'mega' multi-hyphenate.
Connect with Michael:
@themichaelkushner
@thedressingroomproject
dressingroomproject.com
Pr...2020-11-1141 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#30 - Rona Siddiqui: Fortitude: Seeing An Idea ThroughRona Siddiqui is an award-winning composer/lyricist, orchestrator and music director. As well as music directing the Pulitzer Prize winning A Strange Loop (Michael R. Jackson), she is the recipient of the 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant and the 2019 Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award, and was named one of Broadway Women's Fund's Women to Watch. In this episode, we chat all things musical multi-hyphenation: how to get an idea started, seeing that idea through, uniqueness, mimicry, pastiche, and the pitfalls we can fall into while writing about extremely personal occurrences and relationships. You can catch Rona during streamed Broadway Buskers concerts, which...2020-10-2949 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#29 - Sophie Thompson: Oddities and ShenanigansOlivier Award Winning Sophie Thompson has been one of Michael's inspirations since he studied abroad in London and saw her play Mrs. Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre. Sophie may not think she is a multi-hyphenate, but does Michael have what it takes to convince her? Listen to this absolutely lovely conversations as they talk about the joys of being odd, activism, and a life without social media. Plus, we talk about Sophie's appearance in the virtual play Little Wars, by Steven Carl McCasland which is streaming worldwide from November 3rd - 8th, 2020.
Conn...2020-10-1456 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#28 - Tia Altinay: Building A Plane As You’re Flying ItWhen is it time to explore something knew? There is no letter that falls out of the sky telling you it's time to start your next journey - but there are hints, Universal hints, and conversations that lead you in that direction. Tia Altinay (Mary Poppins, Hamilton) began following impulses when a friend asked her if she wanted to produce. With Broadway performance and producing credits under her belt, Tia takes the lesson from Mary Poppins that anything CAN happen if you let it. She began devoting time to Broadway for Biden and is now going back to school...2020-09-2846 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#25 - Brad Oscar: Beshert! It’s a Great Word!This episode with Tony Nominee Brad Oscar is simply a love letter to the greats of Broadway like Madeline Kahn and Jonathan Freeman. We don't talk much about multi-hyphenating, but if you like two Jewish boys connecting over musical theatre, Broadway debuts, and Beshert moments... this episode is for you. Plus, Brad gives amazing advice for younger artists starting in the industry and Michael talks about the importance of creating your own work, like 54 Celebrates Mel Brooks, which Michael & Brad worked on together.
Connect with Michael:
@themichaelkushner
@thedressingroomproject
dressingroomproject.com
Produced by...2020-09-0251 min
Dear Multi-hyphenate#15 - John McGinty: Art Isn’t Easy, But Inclusion IsIn this special edition of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, Michael speaks with John McGinty an actor and advocate, who happens to be deaf. We ask hard hitting questions, but the answer is we can always do better. Michael and John are joined by his interpreter Nicole Cartagena.
Watch the video of this event here: https://youtu.be/QlF3UDHPSPs
Connect with Michael:
@themichaelkushner
@thedressingroomproject
dressingroomproject.com
Produced by Alan Seales and the Broadway Podcast Network.
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2020-06-1937 min