In this episode of the On The Aisle, Tom sits down with actor and nonprofit leader Jenni White for a powerful conversation about art, identity, and service. Jenni reflects on her journey from growing up in small-town Indiana to building a respected theater career in Indianapolis, performing with companies across the city while balancing family life and arts administration. She shares her love for the rehearsal process, the creative community, and the way theater continues to shape her life.

The conversation turns personal as Jenni discusses parenting her 22-year-old child and the importance of respecting pronouns and evolving understandings of gender identity. She and Tom connect over shared LGBTQ+ experiences and the importance of chosen family, inclusion, and creating welcoming spaces.

Jenni also talks about co-owning a new Indianapolis franchise of The Sports Bra, a bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports, and her role as Executive Director of Trinity Haven — founded by Trinity Episcopal Church — Indiana’s only transitional housing program for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness. Since opening in 2021, Trinity Haven has helped nearly 100 young people move toward independence, offering housing, life-skills training, and hope.

It’s an inspiring conversation about building community — on stage, in sports, and in safe spaces where young people can finally feel at home.

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From Trauma to Triumph: Kevin Steele Opens Up to Tom Alvarez, On the Aisle.

Rock frontman Kevin Steele joins Tom Alvarez on the latest episode of his podcast for a conversation that goes far beyond music. Calling in from St. Petersburg, Florida, Steele discusses his first-ever solo album, One Thing Left to Do, set for release February 27. But what unfolds is more than an album preview — it’s a story of survival, resilience, and rediscovered purpose.

After decades leading Rocks Gang and The Mojo Gurus, Steele is stepping out on his own for the first time. He describes this project as the record he’s always wanted to make. Co-produced with guitarist Billy Summer — whom Steele calls his “Cosmic Twin” — the album reflects his unfiltered creative voice.

There were no label executives weighing in. No producer clashes. No compromises.

The result is a raw blend of rock and roll infused with blues, glam, country, grit, and heart — a sound Steele says represents exactly who he is today.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Steele opens up about a life marked by unimaginable trauma. He reveals that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and suffered a brain bleed before undergoing surgery. Against daunting odds, he made a full recovery and returned to the studio with renewed clarity and determination.

But his story of survival began long before that diagnosis.

At just eight years old, Steele’s mother was murdered. Years later, his father was convicted of orchestrating the crime. Growing up in the shadow of that tragedy shaped him in profound ways. Music, he says, became both refuge and lifeline.

“I wanted to give some other kid the same escape music gave me,” Steele shares during one of the episode’s most powerful moments.

Throughout the podcast, Steele and Alvarez also dive into several tracks from One Thing Left to Do, exploring the stories and emotions behind the songs. Each track reflects a journey — from pain to perseverance, from trauma to triumph.

What emerges is not just the story of a new album, but the portrait of an artist who has endured heartbreak, health scares, and hardship — and chosen to channel it all into creativity.

One Thing Left to Do isn’t simply a solo debut. It’s a declaration: after everything he’s survived, Kevin Steele still has music to make — and a story worth telling.

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From Broadway to the Heartland: Don Farrell’s Journey of Art, Risk & Reinvention

In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed performer, director, and producer Don Farrell to explore a career built on talent, fearlessness, and community.

Don traces his journey from growing up in the South to training at the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, then spending over a decade working professionally in New York City. Along the way, he learned a defining lesson: don’t wait for permission—create your own opportunities.

That philosophy led Don, alongside Judy Fitzgerald and Cindy Collins, to co-found Actors Theatre of Indiana, taking a leap of faith that helped shape Central Indiana into a nationally respected arts destination. Don reflects on the risks, mentors, setbacks, and belief systems that made ATI possible—and how visionary civic leadership in Carmel helped turn bold ideas into reality.

The conversation also dives into Don’s evolution as a performer and creative entrepreneur, including the launch of Crossroads Entertainment and his acclaimed docu-cabaret shows at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael—intimate performances that blend music, storytelling, and history, especially celebrating icons of the Great American Songbook.

Beyond career milestones, Don opens up about:

The power of mentorship and collaboration

Why great art can thrive anywhere, not just New York or Chicago

How passion, humility, and authenticity fuel lasting success

The emotional reward of connecting with audiences one story at a time

He also shares touching reflections on fatherhood, performing with his daughter Lizzy, and how legacy—both personal and artistic—matters more than fame.

Big reveal: Don announces his return to Actors Theatre of Indiana, starring as Max opposite Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard—a full-circle moment that perfectly captures the theme of the episode.

Bottom line: This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, creative courage, and why the arts—when supported by community—can transform lives and cities alike.

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