Becoming Wilkinson

Send us a textAn Interview with my middle son: Dave Wilkinson. We chat about his journey from each of our perspectives, his family, his business and his perspective when I came out to him as a gay man in 1999.In this episode, I interview one of my favorite people in this world: my son David.  Two people can experience the exact same event and yet they can have two different perspectives on what happened.  So we discuss what I saw as an amazing turnabout in his life from a very average high school student, to his life now as an attorney with multiple law offices on both coasts.He talks about his current life as a married man and dad and we share some memories of his life growing up. Lastly, we discuss what it was like for him when I came out as a gay man in 1999.  I hope you enjoy this rather personal look into my life as a father to this amazing man.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.comNOTE: THIS IS AN INTERVIEW FROM MID 2022 WHEN MY PODCAST WAS NEW AND I DIDN'T HAVE MANY FOLLOWERS.  I'VE BEEN RE-ISSUING SOME OF THE BETTER EPISODES SO THAT MY CURRENT AUDIENCE CAN ENJOY THEM!

Send us a textBoy Scotty, Mr. Phoenix Leather 2018, is a former President of the Phoenix boys of Leather. He is a BDSM educator teaching classes on the Violet Wand, Role Play, and his experience as a leather boy. He is a former professional actor and acting teacher from New York City, which is how he developed his “Expanding the Self Through Role Play” class. He is Alpha boy in the Leather House of Shangri-La and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Queer Center, Phoenix’s new LGBTQ+ Center.  He’s a student of humanity and loves sharing experiences with people. He’s always up for making a new friend or giving a hug. To follow and message him: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyscotty.sh...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daddyboymyk...Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaddyboyMykelXXPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textLuke Yankee Has written, directed, produced, taught, lectured and acted throughout the country and abroad. He has run two regional theatres, serving as Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera  and the Struthers Library theatre.Luke’s published plays include THE LAST LIFEBOAT and A PLACE AT FOREST LAWN, both published by Dramatists Play Service.   His other plays include THE JESUS HICKEY (which premiered in Los Angeles starring Harry Hamlin) and THE MAN WHO KILLED THE CURE, which had  it's world premiere in Southern California in February 2017. He has also written numerous TV spec scripts and pilots.His book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT:  GROWING UP WITH EILEEN HECKART is published by Random House (under the imprint of Back Stage Books), with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore. Critics have praised it as “One of the most compassionate, illuminating showbiz books ever written.” (Musto, The Village Voice)  It was recently cited by PaperMag as “One of the Ten Best Celebrity Memoirs of All Time.”He has taught and guest directed extensively at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the U.S. and abroad, including five years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Northwestern, Ohio State, AMDA, Denison, University of New Mexico, the Folkwang Hochschule (in Essen, Germany) and three years on the faculty of Columbia College-Hollywood. He has been a panelist and guest instructor at the William Inge Theatre Festival, where he has performed with Marybeth Hurt, Holland Taylor and George Grizzard. He is also a member of their Advisory Board. He is currently on the faculty of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), teaching advanced acting and scene study.His theatre acting credits include “Our Town” at the American Shakespesare Theatre with Fred Gwynne, the U.S. premiere of “The Greeks” at The Williamstown Theatre Festival with Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Christopher Reeve and Celeste Holm and “The Dream Watcher” with Eva LeGallienne. In film and television, he has appeared in “The Hiding Place” with Julie Harris, “Ragtime” with Elizabeth McGovern, “Evergreen” with Armand Assante and “The Equalizer” with Jim Dale.Luke has studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, New York University, University of California – Riverside, Northwestern University, Circle in the Square and the Herbert Berghof Studio.He is the son of the late Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for “Butterflies Are Free” and appeared in over 15 feature films, 20 Broadway plays, and countless television programs. Ms. Heckart is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy and Tony Award winner. In her honor, Luke created the Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, her alma mater.Luke toured internationally for more than ten years with  DIVA DISH, his one-man show about the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood.  There was such demand for a sequel, he  created DIVA DISH: THE SECOND HELPING, which he premiered at the Desert Rose Theatre in Palm Springs.Luke and his husband Don Hill spend time at their homes in Long Beach, CA and Palm Springs, CA.For more info ( including his full Bio) or to contact Luke:  https://yankeehillproductions.comLuke's email is: luke@lukeyankee.net Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkin

Send us a textDonal Brophy proudly hails from Dublin Ireland and found his love of storytelling growing up there.  Donal moved to NYC to study acting under the legendary Bill Esper. After graduating he worked extensively in the New York downtown theater and Independent cinema scene.In 2008, to satisfy his love and knowledge of Scotch Whisky, Donal opened his first gastro pub, the west village institution HIGHLANDS to a roaring reception.Following the success of HIGHLANDS Donal’s career took a detour from the performing arts and went on to have a rewarding career in the restaurant world, proving himself to be a real renaissance man opening up a string of boutique restaurant and bars; Mary Queen of Scots on the lower east side, WHITEHALL in the west Village and The Surf Lodge in Montauk.After seven years of owning and operating his businesses Donal got the acting bug once more and got back to doing what he loves best; being a story teller.  Donal’s career has been in full flight since his return with such notable credits as Blue Bloods on CBS, Unforgettable on AMC, the HBO original move ‘En el séptimo día’ On the seventh day) and the critically acclaimed remake if the Francis Ford Coppola classic DEMENTIA 13.  Donal has also been in several recent successful off Broadway stage productions such as The Picture of Dorian Grey and the immersive masterpiece Sleep No More.Donal co-founded Idyllwild Pictures with Emrhys Cooper in 2019 and since then has been busy developing projects as a writer, producer and actor. Donal co-wrote the dark comedic feature The Shuroo Process (as well as starring in the movie). Upcoming projects include the much-anticipated docuseries Historical Homos and the Irish political thriller feature CLODAGH.Contact Donal via Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/donaljbrophy/Production company website: http://www.idyllwildpictures.comHH website:  http://historicalhomos.com/HH podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/historical-homos/id1688718350Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textEMRHYS COOPEROriginally from Devon, England. After training at the Central School Ballet, he transferred to the Laine Theatre Arts London, where he focused on acting and musical theater.  Emrhys found considerable success after graduating in acclaimed West End shows such as Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Fame: The Musical’. Other notable theater credits include: The title role in Joe Ortons Entertaining Mr Sloane (Winner Best Lead actor Stage Scene LA and Broadway World Person to Watch) and Aladdin. Emrhys moved to Los Angeles, where he transitioned to television. He is best known for playing the male lead in the Emmy nominated drama series Vanity (Amazon Prime), in which he starred alongside Denise Richards. Other select TV credits include: Desperate Housewives, CSI: NY, Touch, From here on out and Person of Interest, among others.  Selected film credits include: Mammia Mia the movie! Walk a mile in my Pradas (Netflix) Bright Young Things, Dreamcatcher (Hulu) Trophy Boy (Official entry Cannes Film Festival) The Shuroo Process (Gravitas Ventures)Up next, will be seen starring in the remake of the classic horror Nosferatu alongside Doug Jones.Contact Emrhys:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/emrhys.cooper.3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emrhyscooper/ Production company website: http://www.idyllwildpictures.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textKai Brothers Kai was born in Santa Cruz in the 1960’s and spent his early years there with his family, going to school and growing into an out gay person living life to the fullest- starting a career, dating guys and doing whatever theater opportunities that came along.  At 18 he moved to San Francisco to begin his adult life, where he continued his career, finding his community and studying theater at San Francisco State University. Life was good, life was fun.  Then came HIV/AIDS and he became positive before anyone even knew what was going on.  He was still thriving and continuing his career in technology, eventually buying a home with his partner who he eventually married.  unlike his friends, he didn't succumb to AIDS and found out later that he was a non-progressor.  He survived for 35 years without taking any medication and outlived all his friends who succumbed to AIDS.  So, physically unscathed, but emotionally scarred, he carried on.  He participated in multiple research studies to find out the secrets of long term survivors.  Having lost the drive to pursue performing arts, he eventually joined the SF Gay Men’s Chorus which brought him back to theater and performing. This was always a huge desire of his but he had let it wane.  Now in his 40’s, he became involved in the San Francisco theater scene, performing in underground shows with The Thrillpeddlers and SF Oasis to larger venues such as the SF opera and New Conservatory Theatre.  As he approached his 60’s he made a life changing decision to move to Palm Springs.  This new life brought a community and performing opportunities that became a bigger part of his life.  Now retired and doing movies, commercials, dance performance as well as theater, he feels he is living the fullest and most satisfying phase of his life. He recently played the role of Hank in "Boys in the Band", produced by The Bent Theatre (Palm Springs' newest LGBT Theatre).To contact Kai: https://www.instagram.com/kaibrosf/?hl=enPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textKai Brothers Kai was born in Santa Cruz in the 1960’s and spent his early years there with his family, going to school and growing into an out gay person living life to the fullest- starting a career, dating guys and doing whatever theater opportunities that came along.  At 18 he moved to San Francisco to begin his adult life, where he continued his career, finding his community and studying theater at San Francisco State University. Life was good, life was fun.  Then came HIV/AIDS and he became positive before anyone even knew what was going on.  He was still thriving and continuing his career in technology, eventually buying a home with his partner who he eventually married.  unlike his friends, he didn't succumb to AIDS and found out later that he was a non-progressor.  He survived for 35 years without taking any medication and outlived all his friends who succumbed to AIDS.  So, physically unscathed, but emotionally scarred, he carried on.  He participated in multiple research studies to find out the secrets of long term survivors.  Having lost the drive to pursue performing arts, he eventually joined the SF Gay Men’s Chorus which brought him back to theater and performing. This was always a huge desire of his but he had let it wane.  Now in his 40’s, he became involved in the San Francisco theater scene, performing in underground shows with The Thrillpeddlers and SF Oasis to larger venues such as the SF opera and New Conservatory Theatre.  As he approached his 60’s he made a life changing decision to move to Palm Springs.  This new life brought a community and performing opportunities that became a bigger part of his life.  Now retired and doing movies, commercials, dance performance as well as theater, he feels he is living the fullest and most satisfying phase of his life. He recently played the role of Hank in "Boys in the Band", produced by The Bent Theatre (Palm Springs' newest LGBT Theatre).To contact Kai: https://www.instagram.com/kaibrosf/?hl=enPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textKaye Laine is a person of many talents. She has designed clothes for LA music awards, and owned her own clothing line. She has had the opportunity to model in LA fashion week and she once worked as a ring girl in Yuma Arizona. Kaye has modeled in many lookbooks, catalogs, and was even nominated Latin model of the year, though she is not Latin. She was Miss Abril, for Viva Latino America. Partially why she was in modeling, she wanted to know the fashion end of the industry so she can have her own company. Kaye Laine has also been in the entertainment industry. She started out as a young girl performing in plays, musicals, and as she grew a little older, she had the opportunity to do commercials.She is now a member of SAG-AFTRA, which is the screen actors Guild. Her first speaking role in the film was One More Round, a Kevin Sorbo film, which she plays a judge’s wife. She has been featured in season seven, episode one of The New Girl, as the angry mother. She’s also done a lot of standing work and worked with Joan Cusack, Tig Notaro, along with many other wonderful people. She still strives by doing stand-up comedy at her local area and has worked in Hollywood, studio city, and other parts of Los Angeles and is currently in the Coachella valley.Kaye Laine has made it to where she is due to the struggles that she has had in her life.She is a bit of the black sheep of her family,  second oldest of six kids and the only one that’s in the entertainment industry. She struggles in this area because she puts her family first due to the trauma that has hit her in the past. She’s a mother of three kids, the second oldest has autism and she currently is a stay at home mom. She occasionally has a break and does things that she loves:  acting, art, comedy, etc.Kaye uses her past as a daily boost to move forward. She may be a victim of domestic violence, but it helps her in her daily life. Especially in comedy. And she’s continually looking for ways to help her heal. Surrounding herself with like-minded people, positive places and positive situations. She has used comedy to help herself move forward.  Everything in Kaye's  life has been a very slow journey, not because she’s just healing because she puts her family first. She continues to work on other projects that help her heal and move forward in life. She’s currently working on a book that reflects on this. It will be posted on her website when it’s published.Contact Kaye:  http://www.Kayelaine-exclusive.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com 

Send us a textJason ManninoJason has decades of experience in multiple various careers that overlap including careers as an Executive Search Consultant, Executive Coach, Singer, Actor.  In Executive Search Jason has partnered with a variety of mission-driven clients both in house and with some of the world’s top executive recruiting agencies including Korn Ferry and Koya Partners (a division of Diversified Search Group). He also implemented in house executive search functions at world class organizations including University of Southern California, UC Berkeley, LA Care Health Plan among others. He also spent years working throughout the entertainment industry at organizations including Warner Bros. The Walt Disney Company and Universal Music among others.  In addition, Jason has had a lifelong love affair with the performing arts as a performer and supporter. Since moving to Palm Springs in 2021 he has sung withModern Men, Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus, and had the honor of performing in the world premiere of their commission Momentum.  He's performed multiple times with A Cabello, the Coachella Valley’s Premier Male Vocal Ensemble.. And he made his operatic debut in the lead role of Guy in TigerBear Productions' West Coast Premiere of Unbound in 2022. He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica and he is credentialed as an executive/career coach with the International Coaching Federation ( He is also a certified massage therapist and certified conscious breath worker.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.comNOTE:  This is a re-issue of a podcast that I released last year when my podcast was new and I had few downloads and followers.  I've been re-issuing some of the better ones on Friday, now that I have additional followers who can now enjoy them.

Send us a textMichael Vaccaro had ended a 16 year relationship.  In the dumps, he searched the internet for sad songs and poems to match his melancholy mood.  But he found one poem that was uplifting.  He liked the poem so much that he printed it out and put it in his wallet, where he carried it for five or six years.  Then one day he met a man who embodied what was written in the poem.  They were inseparable from that point on.This is a love story completely orchestrated by the Universe.  Call it fate.  Call it The Law of Attraction. Whatever words are used to describe this story- it was a time of pure magic.  And it's one that will haunt the listener for a very long time.Wait for Him:Wait for the guy that calls you beautiful instead of hot,Who calls you back when you hang up on him,Who stays awake just to watch you sleep,who worries and takes care of you when you are ill.Wait for the guy that kisses your forehead,who wants to show you off to the world when you are wearing sweats,who holds your hand in front of his friends.Wait for the guy who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you,and how lucky he is to have you.Wait for the guy who turns to his friends and say, "That's him!"Wait for the guy who only wants you.- AntonioMichael Vaccaro is an actor/writer/producer/director/print model and singer. Michael grew up in New York City, and began working as a child actor in the Robert Altman film, “Rich Kids.” His film work includes “Deleted Scenes,” “You Can’t Stay Here,” and “The Endless Possibility of Sky,” all directed by Todd Verow,  “A Play On Words,” which was nominated for Best Feature at the NYC International Film Festival, "The Other Side of Infinity," directed by James Lay, "Surf Grifters," “Look Back,” in which he plays the lead role and was a big winner at the Cannes Film Festival, “The True Blue Ripper” can now be seen on Tubi.His TV work includes “Bronx: SIU,”(Amazon Prime) “No Brainer”(Netflix), “The Middle Ages,” alongside actress Shirley Jones, and five seasons of “Child of the ‘70s,” a sitcom he created, and he has done voices for many cartoon characters. In the ‘80s, he was an angst-ridden teen on NBC’s hit soap, “Another World.” He has an extensive theatre resume, appearing in many productions of “West Side Story,” and other musicals, tons of Shakespeare, and he recently starred in “O’Neill’s Ghosts” at the Odyssey Theatre in LA. He is a graduate of the Second City Improv Conservatory. He can be found on many TV commercials, and he often works as a print model, most recently for Miller Lite, Amazon and Audio Books. As a singer, he has 2 albums out which can be found at Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iTunes, and all online platforms, and has his own cologne, Proteus. www.MichaelVaccaro.com Instagram: @MichaelVaccaro TikTok: @michaelvacaroofficial Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com