Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
Release Date: 06/30/2025
Mushroom Coffee? Tried it Yet? Wild Ancient Remedies Are Turning Into Modern Rituals
The Debbie Nigro Show
My best gal pal tried to get me to try mushroom coffee over a year ago. I still haven’t tried it. Recently more friends started mentioning they were drinking it. I thought OK well maybe I should look into it. I’m not the biggest mushroom fan, though I do like them sauteed in olive oil well done and I'm always interested in a good marsala dish! But you’ll never get me to eat a really wild mushroom that my other half (a former chef ) might pick up excitedly while foraging through the woods. No matter how hard he tries to convince me that wild mushrooms are a delicacy, I...
info_outline
World-Class Sleep Pioneer Says What You Eat Determines How You Sleep
The Debbie Nigro Show
Sleep issues are a BIG deal—just ask someone who’s been up all night involuntarily. More than half of all Americans have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Good sleep is critical for "Keeping the 'Live' in 'Alive'! I had a ‘Random Run In’ with Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, a nutrition scientist and a pioneer in the field of sleep health. I was on an Amtrak to Boston, and I happened to choose the seat next to her. She was working diligently on her computer. I kept sneaking peaks at the bright fun patterned shirt she was wearing that I finally figured out reminded...
info_outline
The Longevity Trend: Adding More LIFE to Your Years!
The Debbie Nigro Show
Keeping the “Live” in Alive! – This Week’s Wellness Wednesday Recap of the upbeat show and podcast. By Debbie Nigro There’s a massive global shift happening—and it’s all about longevity. Not just living longer… Living BETTER, longer. We’re talking: Adding life to your years Not accepting “my best days are behind me” A whole new chapter mindset Your BEST chapter might be coming… but only if you act like it matters. “Longevity isn’t about adding years to your life—it’s about adding more LIFE to your years.” That’s the whole...
info_outline
My “Secret” Project Revealed: How a Random LinkedIn Connection Led Me to Alert Pop™ (And Why I’m So Excited About It!)
The Debbie Nigro Show
Okay… BIG moment. I'm finally shared something I’ve been working on behind the scenes for almost a year—and let me tell you… it’s one of those “how did this even happen?!” stories that I LOVE. It all started with a random LinkedIn connection. You know how sometimes you just click with someone instantly? That’s exactly what happened when Stephen Caldwell connected with me—serial entrepreneur, big thinker, and now… my partner-in-good-commotion. What started as a simple connection turned into a wildly exciting collaboration built on mutual respect, shared...
info_outline
Keeping the “Live” in Alive! From Laughter Science to Caffeinated Lollipops! Let's Roll
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some days on the show just feel good from the first minute… and this was one of them. I kicked off rocking my “Attitude is Everything” mug, reminding myself—and all of you—that good energy is a choice! And on Wellness Wednesday, I’m all about finding ways for us all to feel more alive, more connected, and honestly… more joyful. And guess what? Science says I’m onto something. The Science of Laughter (Yes, It’s a Real Thing!) Came upon a story about—the science behind why we laugh. Turns out… laughter isn’t just about something being funny....
info_outline
Who is "The Most Interesting WOMAN in the World"? (Surprise! She’s Over 50 and Still in the Game!)
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some people do their best thinking on a walk. Me? I do my best thinking in the shower. So I was thinking in the shower about how “The Most Interesting Man in the World” is back — yes, that guy, Jonathan Goldsmith, returning as the Dos Equis spokesperson after a ten-year hiatus, now with a funny “amnesia” twist and a whole lot of nostalgia. And while I do appreciate a sexy, wise older gentleman with an open collar and a “stay thirsty, my friends” vibe, my shower thoughts flowed to this thought: “Okay… but where is the campaign for “The Most Interesting WOMAN...
info_outline
When Travel, Humor & Human Connection Collide
The Debbie Nigro Show
When Travel, Humor & Human Connection Collide: A Joyful Conversation with Melissa Rodway Some of the best stories on The Debbie Nigro Show start with a “premonition.” You know… that little voice that says to someone, “I should reach out to Debbie.” And when that voice belongs to someone with great energy, curiosity, and a whole lotta heart? I listen. That’s exactly how I connected with Melissa Rodway—Toronto-based travel storyteller, longtime host of Fly Travel Radio, part-time adventurer, occasional stand-up comic, and author of the five-star Amazon hit The People You...
info_outline
More Parts Than a Chicken Nugget—and Still Rocking Life
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some conversations stop you in your tracks—in the very best way. This Wellness Wednesday on The Debbie Nigro Show, I met a man whose story is the definition of still in the game. Meet B.J. Odom—radio veteran, comedian, podcaster, author, and a living, breathing miracle. B.J. has survived two transplants (a heart and a kidney), multiple surgeries, radiation treatments, and a lifetime of medical curveballs that started before he was even two years old. Doctors once told his parents he likely wouldn’t live past his teens. He’s now 70 years young… and funnier than ever. His...
info_outline
“Leave It to Norwegians in Florida to Convince Me Cold Weather Is Good for Me”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some of the best radio & podcast conversations start exactly where you don’t expect them to…like poolside in Florida—in bathing suits, no makeup, and not a business card in sight. That’s how I met Kari Berit—in what I call a “Random Run-In.” Kari and her hubby were on two lounge chairs in the sun at a hotel pool in Florida. The only other slice of sun not being blocked by our mutual hotel building was hitting a lounge chair right next to them. This cold, pale New Yorker wanted that only other sunny spot, but I didn’t want to be a too-close lounger (kinda the same as a...
info_outline
Time to Spread Joy (and Maybe Some Deductible Dollars): Who You Givin’ To?
The Debbie Nigro Show
Year-End Giving Reminder: The last few weeks of the year are when most charitable giving happens — people feel more generous, tax benefits kick in for those who itemize, and many folks use year-end bonuses or appreciated stock to support causes they believe in. It’s the perfect moment to make a meaningful impact, especially with an organization that stretches every donor dollar farther than you ever could on your own. Why United Way Might Be One of the Smartest Ways to Give Back To Business Monday You know how I like to start a Monday: a little caffeine, a little...
info_outlineLive Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act!
On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage.
What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance.
Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a show the audience already cares about.
“Why produce a musical no one asked for? Build the audience first. Then give them the show they want.” – Paul Lambert
iStage taps into existing passion groups—like fans of American Bandstand, environmental causes, or baseball—and invites them to participate, vote, and even own a piece of the show they're helping bring to life.
“For the price of a Broadway ticket, people might actually own a small part of a musical. That’s never been done before.” – Paul Lambert
At the heart of this new model is a blend of heart and data. iStage’s Digital Business Futurist, MJ Witt, helps lead the charge by using gamified platforms to build and engage vibrant online communities. The data these fans share guides creative decisions, making sure the show reflects what the audience wants to see.
“Some call it the democratization of theater. We call it smart.” – Paul Lambert
Even better? iStage spreads investment across multiple musicals, so producers and partners aren’t betting on just one show—they’re backing a diversified portfolio with global appeal.
“We don’t pick a topic that only plays in New York or LA—we pick big, universal stories that resonate around the world,” said Lambert.
From AI and angels to iconic music and movement-building, iStage is not only creating musicals—it’s building meaningful, lasting cultural experiences that start with the audience, thrive through connection, and grow with purpose.
So whether you’re a Broadway lover, investor, or future fan, stay tuned—iStage is setting the stage for something extraordinary.
Enjoy this podcast of my live conversation about iStage with Producer Paul Lambert on The Debbie Nigro Show.