I listen to this podcast not only as an avid fan of Stephanie J. Block, but also as a classical orchestral musician who consumes musical theater as a departure from the typical soundscape of my own work. This podcast is a masterclass in performance/career path mindset for ANY performer. I don’t sing, dance, or act, but I’ve been able to take their words of wisdom with me on stage and in the practice room to create a healthier space for my own performance. Take a listen!

Positive, motivating, moving!

Came across this podcast as I was getting back into the performing (musical theatre & cabaret) world. Thank you for your honesty, humor, and the wonderful guests you bring on the show who remind us that even seasoned professionals battle with inner dialogues and balancing life to create their art. Can’t wait for future episodes!

Best podcast for fans of broadway!

Goes so much deeper than the regular podcast. I love it. Feels like talking with friends

Love it. Can’t wait to binge them all!

A long time fan of Stephanie J. Block’s artistry, I had the very good fortune of snagging a last-minute ticket to “Into the Woods” a week before it closed its run in Los Angeles. Reading Stephanie’s program bio, she mentioned her STAGES podcast and I have since become a binge listener in the past week - flipping back and forth into their 70- episode archive of podcast interviews they’ve recorded so far. Although I was not familiar with her co-host, Marylee Fairbanks, the two longtime friends and performers are delightful as they interview some of their Broadway idols and co-stars. The two women are mom’s and performers at different parenting stages in their careers and go deep with their questions, conversations and curiosity about life and creation of art. They are humble and respectful and in awe of some of the legends they have had on the show. They are excavators of truth and love exploring the artist’s process of working and moving through the emotionally challenging times most creatives have had to deal with at one time or another. As a retired casting director for movies and television in LA for over twenty years now, I don’t get the opportunity to come to NY to see Broadway shows very often anymore - so the podcast has been a lovely way for me to be introduced to many amazing and uber-talented performers who have been gracing the NY stage over the years - and that has allowed me to intimately hang out and get to know them for an hour. Bravo! I love their end set of questions they ask every guest - kind of like riffing on James Lipton’s Actor’s Studio final guest questions (but they ask completely different questions). BTW, my cheeky nail color would be called, “Curmudgeon Wine!”

The title says it all. I highly recommend this podcast for all Broadway fans — and the Broadway-curious folks out there. It is truly awesome, heartfelt, and fascinating!

There is nothing more to say. This podcast is just a joyful experience to listen to.

Stages is such a calming and motivational podcast. Stephanie and MaryLee are wonderful and caring hosts who cover all sorts of interesting topics. I love listening to them having what sounds like the best of times every episode.

One of the best podcasts. MaryLee and Stephanie are wonderful and the show is like a guidebook for artists. A must for all creatives.

I adore it.

This podcast. These hosts. These guests. They’re all so amazing. There’s always something that resonates with me, and it’s so beautiful and refreshing to hear everyone always speaking from the hearts and being open to connecting through these conversations. Stephanie and Marylee always know just what to say, and they do a brilliant job of using this platform to create a sacred and safe space to listen, learn, laugh, sometimes cry, and heal.

Love love love this podcast. The MOST thoughtful questions and the conversation is always authentic. Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love this podcast if you like theatre and like good people it’s for you!

It’s an absolute joy to listen to these two intelligent ladies and the way they conduct the interviews makes you feel like you’re part of the conversation!

I cannot believe I didn’t know about this sooner. ML and Stephanie are SO funny, and real and raw, and it’s such a good way to start (and end) my day (trying to catch up). 🤩🤩

As an actor who loves learning about other actors/artists, their journey, what inspires them, etc- this is the perfect podcast! Not only are the guests exceptional but Stephanie and Marylee lead it with so much heart and insight. We love a podcast hosted by strong, intelligent and talented women ✨

I love listening to Stephanie and Marylee and all of their interesting guests. This podcast is a must for theatre makers and theatre lovers!

I love to listen to this on the way to work! Beautiful and meaningful conversations! Been a huge fan of Stephanie for years. Love the vibe she and Marylee have!

I adore this podcast! It’s my favorite part of the week getting to listen to it! Marylee and Stephanie are phenomenal!

Whether you work onstage, backstage, or behind-the-scenes in the theatre, STAGES is a wonderful podcast to include in your routine listening. As you know, the work we do is an ebb-and-flow that can affect our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; in both the positive and not so positive. And that’s on top of the natural ups and downs of life, in general. No matter where you are in your STAGES of life, these interviews shed some light on how to both balance our artistry and communicate with the space we are living in. Thanks to SJB and Marylee for all of the work they do to help encourage us all to “love where we are now.”

This podcast has done so much for me not only by listening to those I adore and hearing amazing stories l, but also by listening to their journeys though life and how I can better myself. Ever episode is filled with laughter, tears, and pure bliss! Highly recommend!!

Wow, just wow! I’m binging every episode I can’t stop!

i love this podcast and have listened non stop since discovering it. great conversations lots of laughs it’s my new favorite thing

This podcast is so much more than theater. I love the insights ..the humor…the casual conversation that goes someplace thoughtful. I feel like I’m on the phone with friends.

I first discovered Stages podcast a few months ago because of SJB but it has quickly become one of my favorites — I have been binging older episodes while I paint and am almost fully caught up now. As a Broadway fan whose own path has had many different stages (I was a lawyer for 9 years before pivoting to pursue a career in art) I deeply relate to each conversation and enjoy hearing from other creatives about their own journeys. The discussions are thoughtful, inspiring, funny, engaging, and full of interesting anecdotes and insights that are relevant even to those outside of the theater world. Plus, Steph and Marylee’s long-standing friendship and wonderful chemistry puts you at ease and makes you feel like you are joining them for a casual chat with friends. Highly recommend and look forward to more episodes!

This podcast is truly a source of light in these difficult times. Stephanie and Marylee host with care and joy - they are thoughtful, honest, and engaging hosts. The podcast invites folks with a beautiful variety of perspectives and experiences, and celebrates the uniqueness of each person’s impact. It has become my go-to comfort show in those moments that call for a reminder of the good. Thanks ladies for your work in making it happen.

I am a huge fan of Stephanie J Block, so of course I’ll love and support any adventure she goes on! This podcast is such a fun time, and I can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t love it.

I couldn’t be more grateful for stages, I love podcasts but this is the only one that helps me get up from my bed on a bad day to get things done. I love how Stephanie and Marylee interview the guests and I always end up smiling. Please, never stop! 🧡

I look forward to this podcast every single week! The guests and conversations that take place are fantastic! Highly recommend!!

Stephanie and Marylee are truly a blessing in the shape of a podcast. I look forward to hearing Marylee sing out “therapeeee” because it signals that a joyous experience is about to begin. Steph and ML often share sage advice, coupled with humanistic levity that reminds you to give yourself some grace and to truly learn to love where you are now. The interviews are always packed with love, kindness, respect, and artistry - plus all theater nerd goodness you could ever desire. Thank you both so much for creating such a wonderful show!! It is my absolute favorite listening addiction.

Love every episode. Each one is fascinating

I love this podcast. You don’t even need to know theater to relate. There is always something to learn when you listen I love it!

One of my favorite podcasts in the theatre arts world. The right balance of humor, humility, and candor. SJB and Marylee really take the time to prepare and have thoughtful conversations that go well beyond your standard interview-style show. I look forward to this every week!

Thank you so much for creating this podcast blending entertainers discussing their business experiences & craft, along with their own life lessons and philosophies! Loved this episode (2/7) I just found you because, as a huge fan of the exquisite actor, Jason Alexander (whose work on Seinfeld is helping me thru this pandemic), his Twitter page led me to your engaging, positive and inspiring podcast! His fascinating stories about acting and his approach to others’ opinions and to life …and the amazing story of the mountain climbers in the blizzard which had me tearful but encouraged …were most inspiring and helpful to me regarding getting thru life’s challenges. The two of you podcasting hosts also have a great rapport together and with Jason…you asked interesting questions and shared great perspectives on life, adding to what Jason was sharing! It’s like Broadway stories meet life-coaching:) and those are two areas of life I’m quite interested in myself. I can go on with how much I loved this but u will let it be as just heartfelt gratitude to all involved in this podcast episode today! Continued joy and success to you!

I came for SJB, stayed for the awesome podcast. The conversations are fun, interesting, and easy to listen to. I love the 5 questions and really enjoy the wrap up at the end. It’s like being a fly on the wall listening in to a group of friends

Interesting guests, thoughtful and great questions, and hosts that really work well together. Thanks for all you do to put this podcast on. Worth every minute I listen!

Stephanie and Marylee are thoughtful, compelling artists who ask great questions and celebrate our shared humanity.

Marylee and Stephanie are positively amazing! So much fun, insightful and wonderfully entertaining! I have loved every minute!

Truthful, honest and insightful conversations with 2 vibrant, artistic and gifted women.

Love it and listen every week

Fabulous personalities. Makes you feel part of the scene. I love it

Terrific conversation, captivating topics, and two amazing hosts - especially Marylee Fairbanks. This is gonna be big time very very soon.

What! How did I not know that these ladies had a podcast? I'm absolutely in love with this. So excited to have found it now. I'm binging episodes as we speak! It's inspiring, a peak behind the curtain of a life most of us look at with big eyes. I love that they are giving us this piece of themselves!!!

These women are illuminating. Your soul gets a huge embrace each episode and the conversations are enriching and poignant. Stages meets us where we are and encourages us to say yes to life. If you’re missing connection, this is an amazing start at expansion. A true Must Listen, like right Now!

Can we get these beautiful souls a talk show? I could listen to them forever. Such engaging conversations and brilliant topics. This is absolute favorite podcast to date! Dont mind me counting the days until the next episode drops!!

and springboard into some extraordinarily intriguing insights. The flow of them is so natural yet so in depth. I have found out so much about myself as I found a pice of me in the topics. The explanations are clear and when I wonder about something, one of these brilliant women usually asks or details what I’m wondering. It’s like they are living in my head sometimes. I have listened to the three latest discussions back to back a couple of times today and learn more every time. It’s a lot of information to process and makes you think about how you conduct yourself in various stages of your life. I would try asking different questions of the new guests at the end because if they are anything like me, they study beforehand and by now might know those questions (but keep the nail polish, it fascinating). This is a podcast you really want to settle in for, so give yourself time to concentrate and reflect on your adventures.

Ladies, Bernard Dotson here!! OMG! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! This is a beautiful Podcast, it is opening up the door for so many different conversations. Conversations that helps us to understand how to maneuver our lives in this racial climate. Besides the fact that you ladies are very connect to this great community, and you have these amazing guest, the two of you are wonderful in spirit, and have something to say. Thank you for opening doors!

Inspiring and honest conversations with working artists. Hosted by two fierce and fabulous women who have reunited to share a brand new stage.