During this holiday season, Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas continues its focus on giving back, and this week we’re honored to welcome legendary songwriter, producer, and philanthropist Jimmy Jam. This marks the second week in a row where we’re spotlighting guests connected to charitable causes that make a real difference during the holidays.

Jimmy joins Gentry to promote 100 Billion Meals, a global initiative working to fight hunger and food insecurity around the world. The mission is simple but powerful: provide meals to communities in need and help ensure that families don’t go hungry—especially during the holiday season.
Learn more or get involved here: https://www.100billionmeals.org/

Beyond philanthropy, the conversation dives deep into music history and creativity. Jimmy shares stories from his early days auditing tracks for Prince, and reflects on his legendary collaborations with Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson—including how trust, chemistry, and musical instinct helped shape some of the most iconic records of all time.

He also opens up about his favorite chord progressions, how emotion drives great songwriting, and his thoughtful perspective on AI and the future of music—what excites him, what concerns him, and how technology should serve creativity rather than replace it.

This episode blends generosity, legacy, and innovation—making it a perfect listen during the holidays and beyond.

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, actress, author, and longtime advocate Marlo Thomas sits down with Gentry to talk about her life’s work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — the Memphis‑based pediatric research and treatment center that’s changing the face of childhood cancer care.

Marlo shares why St. Jude is so close to her heart and how the hospital’s mission — ensuring that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food — continues to give children a real chance to survive and thrive against life‑threatening illnesses. She discusses breakthroughs in research, the importance of compassionate care, and how the legacy of her father, entertainer Danny Thomas, continues to drive progress and hope for families around the world. St. Jude+1

Throughout the conversation, Marlo and Gentry also talk about her own creative life — from her early entertainment work to her advocacy, the ways music and family shaped her, and unforgettable moments that shaped her commitment to service.

If you’re moved by Marlo’s story and want to make a difference, you can support St. Jude’s lifesaving mission here: Donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/give.html. Your contribution helps advance pediatric cancer research, provide top‑notch care at no cost to families, and give hope to children fighting for their lives. St. Jude

This episode is a celebration of compassion, courage, and the joy of helping families face the toughest battles — and one you won’t want to miss.

In this nostalgic and revealing episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, we sit down with singer‑actor legend Shaun Cassidy as he promotes his upcoming “Road to Us” tour. Want to catch a show? Check out tour dates and ticket info here: ShaunCassidy.com/live‑shows

Shaun opens up about growing up in a household filled with award‑winning actors — with show business being more than just a dream, but a family legacy. He recalls the whirlwind of success at a young age: the whirlwind popularity, the pressure, and how in 1978 he won “Best New Artist” at the height of his fame — a time when his date to the awards ceremony was none other than Carrie Fisher, adding a uniquely Hollywood twist to his teen‑stardom story.

Throughout the episode, Shaun reflects on the ups and downs of early fame, how it shaped him as a performer and as a person, and what motivated him to hit the road again now. With laughs, memories, and honest reflections on the music business — this conversation is a must-listen for fans of classic pop‑rock, celebrity stories, and real talk about growing up in the spotlight.