Original airdate: 2/16/17

Is the EEOC's investigation into Hollywood's hiring practices of women valid? Are women really not treated equitably in Hollywood. According to Scott Baio, the answer is a resounding "No!"

From teen heartthrob to conservative political activist, Scott Baio has some provocative political ideologies that is fair to say isn't the common mindset in what has traditionally been a very liberally-minded, Democrat-populated town. From speaking at the Republic National Convention to appearing on the conservative Fox News program The Five to decry the government's investigation into hiring practices, Mr. Baio is unafraid and unashamed to make his thoughts and politics known. Good for him! I mean that. I totally disagree with his opinion on the matter, but I _do _commend his fortitude to speak up for what he believes in a town where he has to know it will be met with criticism.

Well, it was the appearance on the aforementioned Fox News program that prompted today's episode of our miniseries "Breaking the Glass." I had miniseries co-producer and recurring guest on the show, Yolanda Cochran, listen to the entire segment. We then hopped on Skype to have a conversation about it. She gives some valuable insight into the business from the perspective of a person who has worked in the business for over 20 years (more than half of that time in some kind of producing role).

In the last part of the show today, guest podcast producer Stefanie Malone (Emmy award-winning documentary producer and Executive Director of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth) arranges a conversation with director Jen McGowan. Jen's first feature film, "Kelly and Cal", starred Juliet Lewis and won the Gamechanger Director Award at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival. Jen is also the creator of Filmpowered.com, a site for connecting with and hiring female filmmakers. Jen gives a look at the situation from the point of view of a person currently in the system trying to get the next job, just like every other hard-working director, man or woman. Her thoughts about why we should have diversity in hiring practices are inspiring.

Breaking the Glass is a Radio Film School podcast mini-series and short film docu-series addressing the issues of gender inequality in film and television. You can catch all the podcast and video episodes at daredreamer.com/breakingtheglass.

Music in this episode was curated from FreeMusicArchive.org. Songs in order of appearance were:

• Mothership by Kellee Maize (CC BY)
• Explode by Kellee Maize (CC BY)
• It Looks Like The Future, But It Feels Like The Past by Doctor Turtle (CC BY)
• Takeover by Kellee Maize (CC BY)