In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore five musical genres Brenda Lee not only crossed, but mastered. From the driving edge of rock ’n’ roll and the raw energy of rockabilly to the polished warmth of pop, the heartfelt storytelling of country, and the soulful roots of gospel, Brenda did more than adapt—she excelled in each style. Her extraordinary versatility and unmistakable voice made her one of the most dynamic and enduring performers of the 20th century.

Liza Minnelli brought a rare combination of vulnerability, charisma, humor, and star power to the screen, making her one of the most unforgettable performers of her generation. In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore five of her most memorable film roles, from her Oscar-winning performance in Cabaret and her sparkling turn in Arthur to her early breakthrough in The Sterile Cuckoo. Together, these performances reveal the emotional depth and magnetic presence that defined Minnelli’s career and secured her place as a true Hollywood legend.

Marlee Matlin changed the landscape of film and television through performances that combined emotional depth, authenticity, and groundbreaking representation for Deaf actors in Hollywood. In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore ten of her most memorable film and television roles, from her Oscar-winning debut in Children of a Lesser God to her comedic turn on Seinfeld, her commanding presence on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and her deeply moving performance in the Academy Award–winning CODA. Together, these roles reflect both the breadth of Matlin’s talent and the lasting impact she has had on how Deaf stories are portrayed and valued on screen.

Dick Van Dyke built one of the most versatile and enduring careers in entertainment, moving effortlessly between television, film, stage, and music while captivating audiences with his warmth, humor, and humanity. In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore ten performances that helped define his remarkable legacy, from his timeless work on The Dick Van Dyke Show and his iconic role as Bert in Mary Poppins to the romantic drama The Morning After and his long-running role on Diagnosis: Murder. Together, these performances reveal an entertainer whose charm, wit, and emotional depth have resonated across generations.

Art Spiegelman transformed comics into a powerful medium for history, memory, and personal reflection, reshaping how graphic storytelling is understood and appreciated. In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore eight key works that trace his artistic evolution, from the underground comic Funny Animals to the Pulitzer Prize–winning Maus and his bold, era-defining covers for The New Yorker. Together, these works reveal an artist who continually pushed the boundaries of the medium while redefining what comics could achieve both artistically and culturally.

Elie Wiesel became one of the twentieth century’s most important literary and moral voices, using his writing to confront memory, faith, loss, and the consequences of silence and indifference. In this piece for PBS American Masters, I explore five works that helped define his legacy as a writer and witness, from his searing memoir Night to later novels and reflections that grappled with the meaning of survival and remembrance. Together, these works reveal how Wiesel transformed personal trauma into a universal call for empathy, justice, and human dignity that continues to resonate with readers today.

December 2023 marked 90 years since Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers debuted in Flying Down to Rio. In the Summer 2024 issue of American Heritage, I explored the magic they created as Hollywood’s first iconic dance duo. For the article, I spoke with George Stevens, Jr., Fred Astaire’s grandson Tyler McKenzie, and Ginger Rogers' assistant, Roberta Olden.

In October 2020, Loretta Lynn's iconic hit celebrated its 50th anniversary. This article in American Heritage Magazine dives into the lasting impact of the legendary song and highlights the enduring legacy of Lynn herself with input from her dressmaker and dear friend, the late Tim Cobb, and granddaughter Tayla Lynn.

Patsy Cline’s rich, soulful voice still has the power to stop us in our tracks. More than sixty years after her passing, her music continues to inspire and remind us why she remains one of country music’s greatest trailblazers. My article in the Fall 2025 issue of American Heritage, honors her extraordinary legacy. I am grateful to Patsy’s daughter, Julie Fudge, for sharing her memories, and to artist Mandy Barnett, whose beautiful performances keep Patsy’s spirit alive on stage.

In this guest article for East Wing Magazine, I reflect on my work with the National Park Service restoring the photographs that once hung throughout Eleanor Roosevelt's home at Val-Kill. What began as a preservation project became an opportunity to better understand Eleanor through the people and memories she chose to surround herself with, revealing a deeply personal side of one of the twentieth century's most influential women and underscoring the importance of preserving the places where history was lived.

While researching the legendary partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, I became fascinated by the lesser known story of Fred’s older sister, Adele Astaire. Before Fred became a Hollywood icon, Adele was already captivating audiences with her charisma, wit, and extraordinary talent on the stage. This article for The Historians Magazine explores Adele’s remarkable career, her influence on early entertainment culture, and the enduring legacy of a performer who was once considered every bit Fred’s equal.

Historic preservation offers a powerful way to connect with the human stories behind the past. In the “History in the Making” section of New York Archives Magazine, I reflected on my work restoring Eleanor Roosevelt’s photographs at Val-Kill in collaboration with the National Park Service. The piece explores how personal artifacts, family photographs, and preservation work can deepen our understanding of history and help keep these stories alive for future generations.

When Booker T. Washington dined with President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House in 1901, the moment quickly became one of the most controversial social and political flashpoints of the Jim Crow era. This article explores how the dinner sparked fierce national backlash and exposed the fragile boundaries of racial progress in early twentieth century America. Through the lens of Washington’s broader career, the piece examines the tensions between symbolism, power, public perception, and the ongoing struggle for equality in American life.

This article explores how Eleanor Roosevelt’s My Day column transformed the relationship between the White House and the American public long before the rise of television or social media. Writing more than 8,000 columns over nearly three decades, Roosevelt used the platform to inform readers, advocate for social causes, and encourage civic engagement during some of the most consequential moments of the twentieth century. The piece examines how her consistency, accessibility, and moral clarity helped redefine political communication and why her approach to public dialogue continues to resonate today.

This article explores the unraveling of the friendship between Frank Sinatra and President John F. Kennedy after Kennedy chose not to stay at Sinatra's Rancho Mirage compound during a 1962 California visit. Through the lens of politics, celebrity, and personal loyalty, it examines how that decision marked the decline of one of the era's most influential relationships and left a lasting impact on both the men involved and the history of the Coachella Valley.

Written for Mainly Museums, this article explores Warm Springs, Georgia, where Franklin D. Roosevelt found healing, purpose, and renewal after polio. Blending history with personal reflection, the piece follows the Little White House, the historic treatment pools, and Dowdell’s Knob to show how this small town helped shape one of America’s most consequential presidents.