The Locher Room

Thinking about starting a family? Husbands and dads George Moore and Mike Snaric of Families Out Loud, plus Greg Rikaart, share insights on surrogacy, IVF, and finding trusted support.

If you’re thinking about starting a family — or supporting someone who is — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.In this episode of The Locher Room, Alan Locher is joined by George Moore and Mike Snaric, husbands, dads to twin boys, and the co-founders of Families Out Loud, an organization dedicated to providing inclusive, ethical, and trusted education around IVF, surrogacy, and modern family building.George and Mike share their personal journey to parenthood, the challenges they faced finding accurate information in an often overwhelming and unregulated space, and why they created Families Out Loud to help others feel informed, supported, and less alone.Alan also sits down with Days of Our Lives' Greg Rikaart who speaks openly about his own road to surrogacy and becoming a father. Greg reflects on what he wishes he’d known earlier, the questions that were hardest to answer, and what families truly need when navigating this process.This episode is about visibility, education, ethics, and community — and about the many ways families are created today.Whether you’re just beginning to ask questions or already on your journey, this is a powerful and compassionate conversation worth hearing.

Recorded at the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, Kin Shriner reflects on his decades as Scotty Baldwin, soap history, and the lasting bond between daytime television and its fans.

I’m excited to share this special conference conversation with Kin Shriner, best known to daytime audiences as Scotty Baldwin on General Hospital and Port Charles.Recorded at the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, Kin was candid, funny, and generous as he reflected on his decades in daytime television, the evolution of the genre, and the enduring connection between soap operas and their fans. From the early years of Scotty Baldwin to broader conversations about soap history, fandom, and longevity, this panel captured both the humor and the heart of daytime drama.It’s a pleasure to share this conversation here in The Locher Room — one that honors the legacy of soaps through the perspective of someone who helped shape them.

A heartfelt conversation on soap opera fandom & more. Paul Gosselin, Annie Armstrong and Elisa Smith share how soaps shaped identity, offered comfort, and built community across generations.

In this special episode of The Locher Room, we dive into Soap Operas, Fandom & More with three voices whose stories highlight why daytime television continues to matter.Paul Gosselin, Annie Armstrong, and Elisa Smith share deeply personal reflections on growing up with soaps, finding comfort and identity in these stories, and forming emotional connections to characters who felt like family. From Guiding Light devotion and fan letters to academic reflection, personal loss, and multigenerational viewing, this conversation explores how soap operas offer sanctuary, community, and hope.Born out of the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, this episode goes beyond television to examine the power of storytelling — how it helps us navigate grief, isolation, and change, and why these shows remain meaningful across decades.Whether you’re a lifelong soap fan or someone who understands the importance of stories that show up for us every day, this is a heartfelt, thoughtful conversation you won’t want to miss.

Hank Northrop on Joining Days of Our Lives, Honoring Wayne Northrop’s Legacy, Learning From Deidre Hall & James Reynolds, and Finding His Own Voice in Daytime Television

Hank Northrop joined me in The Locher Room for a meaningful conversation about stepping into daytime television and carrying forward an extraordinary family legacy.Hank made his Days of Our Lives debut as Liam Selejko in October 2025, and we talked about what it’s been like joining Salem, his first days on set, and learning from daytime icons including James Reynolds and Deidre Hall. He also shared some of the incredible stories he’s heard about his father Wayne Northrop’s time on Days, and what it means to now be part of the same show.We spent time reflecting on Hank’s upbringing as the son of two beloved soap legends — Wayne Northrop and Lynn Herring — his journey into acting, and how he’s finding his own voice while honoring the paths his parents forged. Hank also spoke openly about his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s and the perspective it’s given him.It was an honest, heartfelt conversation about legacy, gratitude, and the next chapter in a new daytime career.

Ely Winkler on Growing Up Orthodox, Coming Out, Finding Eshel, and Helping LGBTQ+ Jews Build Belonging Without Choosing Between Faith and Identity | Conversations with Alan

In this episode of Conversations with Alan, I’m joined by Ely Winkler, Director of Advancement for Eshel, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about faith, identity, and belonging.Ely shares his journey growing up Orthodox as the son of a rabbi, navigating the fear and uncertainty of coming out, and searching for a place where he could live authentically without abandoning his faith. He reflects on pivotal moments—from working behind the scenes on a groundbreaking panel at Yeshiva University to feeling disconnected from synagogue life, and ultimately finding his way back home.We talk about the profound impact of discovering Eshel, what it meant for Ely personally, and how his work there now helps LGBTQ+ individuals, families, rabbis, and communities build more inclusive Orthodox spaces. Ely also speaks movingly about lessons learned from his rabbi father, the power of compassion, and how change often happens quietly—one conversation at a time.This episode offers thoughtful insight, practical wisdom, and hope for anyone interested in questions of identity, tradition, and what it truly means to belong.