Alex Hurt knew from a young age he wanted to be a parent, but not at the moment when it happened. When his partner got pregnant and the relationship broke down just as his career was taking off, he wasn’t sure he could meet the moment. His own father, legendary actor William Hurt, had cautioned him against becoming an actor because of the instability of the artist life.

But instead of backing away, Alex committed deeply to loving his child while nurturing his craft and ambition. When Alex became a father for the second time, he almost left the business, but a job came along that let him know that acting was, indeed, the suit he was meant to wear.

In this special Father’s Day episode, we hear how Alex and his co-parent work together to give their kids a stable life, how he soothes the ache when he’s away from the ones he loves, and the crucial role sobriety and service play in his life. He speaks of the lessons and traditions his father taught him and the joy of passing them on to his own children, even while he carves a unique path outside the shadow of such a famous dad. Alex brings the same honesty and openness to this interview that he does to his acting, and his commitment to meeting life as it presents itself is a beautiful reminder of the power of acceptance.

More on Alex:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3109337/?ref_=fn_t_1

bobkrakower.com

Betsy Aidem is fresh off a hugely successful Broadway run in the Pulitzer Prize -winning play Liberation when she joins Katie and Melanie in this vibrant conversation. She tells of the windfall of work that’s come her way since turning 60, and the years that came before when she balanced a career on the stage while raising her son as a single mom, during which time she often felt everyone had an intact family except her.

Betsy speaks openly about the challenge of parenting through a divorce, how she turned down jobs so she wouldn’t miss bedtime, and how her now-grown son became enamored of the world of artists—and is one himself.

Fueled by an insatiable curiosity, Betsy thoroughly researches her roles through reading and traveling, and in between jobs, that same curiosity keeps her busy and inspired, whether she’s taking an art class, perfecting her chef skills or seeing the world.

Melanie and Katie also get to hear more about Liberation, the play that has taken the theatre world (and the world at large) by storm. Since this interview was recorded, Liberation has been nominated for 5 Tony awards, the script has been published, and productions are scheduled in multiple theatres. Betsy shares her experience playing the famous nude scene for 8000 people a week, the impact of performing this play during tense political times in the country, and the gifts this play offered both to the actors and the audiences.

Betsy Aidem is a testament to what happens when you choose positivity over bitterness, and a shining example of what tenacity, relentless commitment to craft, and a genuine love of the art form of acting can lead to.

More on Betsy

@liberationbway

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/03/betsy-aidem-working-woman

Season 4 opens with a pair of conversations very near and dear to our hosts’ hearts. In this episode, Melanie and Katie speak with their own mothers, Francie Lora and Loreen MacNichol, about what it’s like to recognize that your young child is destined to be an actor; and the unwavering support both women continue to give to their girls as they remain committed to a sometimes fickle, sometimes fulfilling business.

Vibrant, creative and still happily devoted to their own work, Francie and Loreen tell stories of their own lives, their relationship to the arts and reflect on the challenges and joys of mothering for many years. Both share a curiosity and drive that keeps them open and engaged with the world.

Katie and Melanie learned some things about each other as well, and discovered commonalities in their stories they wouldn’t have known if their moms hadn’t spoken them.

This is a 2-part episode, with Melanie’s conversation first and Katie’s after that, and listeners should tune into both, as Francie and Loreen are warm, funny, astute women with tremendous wisdom to impart. They have been listening to Act Like a Mother since Day 1, and having them on the show is a true Mothers’ Day gift.