THE BUNNY CHRONICLES PODCAST

Imagine having exclusive access to Hugh Hefner's personal scrapbooks—a treasure trove of free speech and free press history.

Join us as we chat with Stuart Brotman, author of "The First Amendment Lives On: Conversations Commemorating Hugh and Hefner's Legacy of Enduring Free Speech and Free Press Values," who had the extraordinary opportunity to explore Hefner's extensive collection. Stuart shares insights into Hefner's passionate belief in the First Amendment and how it shaped Playboy, particularly through thought-provoking interviews that showcased a marketplace of ideas.

As we celebrate Hefner's legacy, we ponder innovative ways to promote First Amendment education in society. Ideas like reciting the First Amendment before the Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events or displaying it on movie theater screens could spark crucial conversations on the importance of free speech and free press. Additionally, we discuss the HMH Foundation and the First Amendment Awards, which honor those who have fought to defend these vital principles.

By the end of this captivating episode, you'll have a newfound appreciation for Hugh Hefner's dedication to free speech and free press values. Discover how the First Amendment lives on through Stuart Brotman's book and the inspiring work of those who continue to protect and advocate for our fundamental rights. Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation that will leave you inspired and eager to champion the First Amendment in your own life.

We are so very grateful to Stuart Brotman for not only authoring and publishing this incredibly insightful book - but for the time he took out of his busy schedule to sit down with Carrie Yazel and I for this all to important interview. An interview on a topic that remains eternally relevant - particularly in the climate of our times.

With Gratitude -

Echo Johnson and Carrie Yazel

Stephen Wayda: PLAYBOYS REVERED PHOTOGRAPHER for 30 YEARS
Internationallypublished photographer best known for his demonstrative images of celebrities, women. and lifestyles.  In his creation of entertaining and compelling images he is regarded as a master in the use of composition and light, both natural and artificial.

Wayda’s photographs of A-list celebrities, Pop Culture icons, supermodels, musicians and the “girl next door” are a depiction of personality and, most of all, attitude. He is known for his use of light and composition to create a mood of realism that captures the intimacy and openness of his subjects, bringing out those fleeing moments of their humanity and their sense of self.
At Playboy, where he photographed the most celebrities, covers, women and pictorials in the magazine’s history, he was joined by many of the world’s most influential, celebrated and noted photographers in creating iconic, controversial and celebrated images.
His photographs have been sold and exhibited at Christie’s, Art Basel, the Aspen Art Festival, Mutual Art, Boetto Auction House, Gallery M, Kavachnina Contemporary and currently PICKHOBI Gallery Istanbul.

As a contributing photographer for Playboy magazine, Playboy Publisher Hugh M. Hefner stated:

"For over 30 years Stephen Wayda has shared my dream and vision. From an inauspicious start at Playboy, he has become the most published photographer in the history of Playboy. His photographs have helped Playboy in changing the way the world looks at women, and changed the way women look at the world. His influence on photography cannot be overstated. His evolving styles, his sense of sexuality coupled with the personality of his photographic subjects brought the Playboy dream, from the fantasy of decadence and passion in Paris, to the charm of the girl next door in the wheat fields of Texas, to life."
We are so grateful for Stephen. For his insight, his history and his stories. Most of all we applaud Stephen for the epic photos he's captured for 30 + years. This was an incredibly fun and insighful interview, with a legend that we both had the honor of knowing and working with!
With Gratitude - Echo and Corinna
Follow Stephen:
IG: @stephenwayda

Join us for a special episode of the Bunny Chronicles as we welcome our dear friend Sophronia Williams, who had the amazing opportunity to shoot for Playboy's Newstand Specials. Listen in as Sophronia shares her experience attending a casting call at the University of Texas, being selected for the Big 12 edition, and how her time with Playboy was both comfortable and professional. We also reminisce about our own experiences with Playboy, and the incredible opportunities that Hugh Hefner and the Playboy family provided for us.
From being part of history to seeing our photos in international publications and on billboards, we reflect on the incredible hospitality, networking opportunities, and unforgettable experiences at the Playboy Mansion. As we celebrate the trailblazing Jennifer Jackson, the first black Playboy bunny and centerfold, who made history in 1965, we discuss the courage it took for her to take on this opportunity at just 18 years old, the fan mail and hate mail she received, and how she paved the way for women of all backgrounds to be featured in Playboy.
We also share our own experiences as younger models and reflect on the fame that came with being part of the Playboy legacy. Join us for an episode filled with laughter, memories and the celebration of empowering women who have made history in the world of Playboy. Don't miss out on this heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Sophronia and our reflections on the incredible impact of the Playboy Mansion.
- With Gratitude - 
Echo Johnson + Corinna Harney

We're absolutely thrilled to welcome the fabulous Sandra Taylor to our show, as she shares her incredible journey through her long-standing career in the entertainment industry. Starting as America's number one selling poster model to multiple Playboy covers, and even working with legends like Marilyn Grabowski and Gary Marshall, Sandy's experiences are truly captivating. Join us and our dear friend Cathy St. George as we reminisce about the iconic Playboy covers and the special accolades that came with them.

Sandy's career doesn't stop at modeling and acting. Tune in to hear about her transformation into a professional sommelier, blending her 30 years of entertainment experience to create something unique and innovative. We chat about her time in Piedmonti, Italy, her prestigious silver pin certification, and how she became the lead sommelier for the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders Stadium. Plus, learn about her enchanting experience blending her own rosé with legendary winemaker Gerard Trand and her connection with John Bon Jovi.

Finally, we explore Sandra's revolutionary role as a personal sommelier, where she combines her storytelling prowess with her love for wine. Discover how she created and managed a wine locker program for Mark Davis, educated clients on skincare, and her passion for teaching others. We even delve into the differences between champagne and prosecco, and the unique methods used to create them. So grab a glass of wine and join us for this unmissable conversation with the incredible Sandra Taylor!

Cathy St. George + Echo Johnson  

It was 1990  when Richard Bann first visited Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion. 

 
Cinema and the importance of film preservation sparked a 30 year friendship. One that evolved into being closest of friends and an invitation to "Manly Night."

Monday was always Manly Night, a gathering of Hef's closest friends who would nominate and vote on what film to screen after dinner: Dick Stewart, Ray Anthony, Mel Torme', Johnny Crawford, John Dante, Bob Ridgely, Chuck McCann, Peter Vieira, Ron Borst, Kevin Burns, Robert Culp, Fred Dryer, Jerry Vale, Richard Bann. In 1993 Dick Stewart and his wife Playmate, Anne Randall moved to Sun City. Dick went to Hef and suggested his seat at Hef's left hand should be given to Richard Bann, and Hef agreed. Brother Keith Hefner moved to Los Angeles from Aspen in 1997 coincident with Mel Torme's passing and his seat was given to Keith. "A seat at the table" was a big deal and not everyone who was close to Hef would receive that invitation by Hefner. Hefner was a creature of habit. Every week the calender would reflect nightly events. Events that were religiously  held at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, for a span of 45 years.

Tuesday Nights = GAME night
Wednesday Nights = GIN night
Thursday Nights = FAMILY night when Hefners boys, Marston and Cooper were young.  Once the boys had grown up Thursday became a movie night.
Friday Nights = CLASSIC FILM Night 
Saturday Nights = RERUN Movie Classics
Sunday Nights = screenings of yet-to-be released films. Straight from the studios, delivered under lock and key!! 

The films would arrive on reels and be placed on Hefners equipment in a hidden room behind the grand living room inside the library.

Richard would write copious notes on each film before each movie night. Upon arriving at the Playboy Mansion, Richard would hand off his cliff notes to HEF.  Hefner, the consimate editor would take Richards notes and create his presentation. A cherished moment we ALL loved. Hef in his silk pajamas and robe, in his wonderfully warm and intoxicating way, would present a tender and brilliant, introspective, and fascinating backstory on the film. It was "cinematic history" at it's pinnacle. We all shared the love of movie nights held at the Playboy Mansion. The fondest memories we are so lucky to share.

Cathy --- Thank you for being THE BEST CO-HOST!

“Victoria Valentino, Playboy's Miss September 1963 is ONE of the Top 100 Centerfolds of the 20th Century. Victoria started her career with Playboy as a Bunny @ the LA Club on NYE in 1964.

A media personality, keynote speaker, author, activist, SAG/AFTRA actress, performs live theater, Spoken Word, AND she mentors sexual assault survivors as she is one of Cosbys rape survivors!

Mark Hopkins worked as Hugh Hefners Personal Valet for 3 years in the early 80's.

The position was a coveted one and Mark was the lucky one to receive this title and role to be in service to Hefner for a span of 3 years.
The era was the early 80's - HEF wasn't married at the time but was in a relationship with Sondra Theodore.  The celebrities who were on the 24 hour list were A- LIST STARS  comedians, actors, writers and movie stars. And the encounters that Mark would have with these people were profound to say the least!
After leaving the Mansion in '84, Mark earned his degree in journalism from Ohio State. He met his  wife and raised four kids and have been together 40 years. Both are retired now and enjoying life every day.

Thank you Mark for taking the time to sit down with us and share a time in history that we were not privy to.

- With Love & Gratitude -
Cathy St. George + Echo Johnson

MR. PLAYBOY - HUGH HEFNER and THE AMERICAN DREAM:

The hedonistic pursuit of uninhibited sex. Put these images together and a single name springs to mind--Hugh Hefner. From his spectacular launch of Playboy magazine and the dizzying expansion of his leisure empire to his recent television hit "The Girls Next Door,"  the publisher has attracted public attention and controversy for decades.

But how did a man who is at once socially astute and morally unconventional, part Bill Gates and part Casanova, also evolve into a figure at the forefront of cultural change?

In Mr. Playboy, historian and biographer Steven Watts argues that, in the process of becoming fabulously wealthy and famous, Hefner has profoundly altered American life and values. Granted unprecedented access to the man and his enterprise, Watts traces Hef's life and career from his midwestern, Methodist upbringing and the first publication of Playboy in 1953 through the turbulent sixties, self-indulgent seventies, reactionary eighties, and traditionalist nineties, up to the present.

He reveals that Hefner, from the beginning, believed he could overturn social norms and take America with him. This fascinating portrait illustrates four ways in which Hefner and Playboy stood at the center of several cultural upheavals that remade the postwar United States.

The publisher played a crucial role in the sexual revolution that upended traditional notions of behavior and expectation regarding sex. He emerged as one of the most influential advocates of a rapidly developing consumer culture, flooding Playboy readers with images of material abundance and a leisurely lifestyle. He proved instrumental--with his influential magazine, syndicated television shows, fashionable nightclubs, swanky resorts, and movie and musical projects--in making popular culture into a dominant force in many people's lives. Ironically, Hefner also became a controversial force in the movement for women's rights.

Although advocating women's sexual freedom and their liberation from traditional family constraints, the publisher became a whipping boy for feminists who viewed him as a prophet for a new kind of male domination. Throughout, Watts offers singular insights into the real man behind the flamboyant public persona. He shows Hefner's personal dichotomies--the pleasure seeker and the workaholic, the consort of countless Playmates and the genuine romantic, the family man and the Gatsby-like host of lavish parties at his Chicago and Los Angeles mansions .

Punctuated throughout with descriptions and anecdotes of life at the Playboy Mansions, Mr. Playboy tells the compelling and uniquely American story of how one person with a provocative idea, a finger on the pulse of popular opinion, and a passion for his work altered the course of modern history. Spans from Hefner's childhood to the launch of Playboy magazine and the expansion of the Playboy empire to the present. Puts Hefner's life and work into the cultural context of American life from the mid-twentieth-century onwards.

Thank you to Steven Watts for joining us today!

With Love & Gratitude - 

JOHN CHAMPION knew for certain that upon graduating from college - he wanted to work for the GREATEST PUBLISHING COMPANY in the world.

That was PLAYBOY MAGAZINE.

LARRY LOGAN worked with HEFNER & PLAYBOY for close to 30 years.

Logan began his career as HEFS personal Contributing Photographer from 1977-1984 and then was named "Vice President, Creative Director" in PLAYBOYS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP from 1984-1994.

"I transitioned to the VP Creative Director position in the early days of the new Entertainment Group. I had extensive background in marketing and design, separate from my professional photography career, which gave me the expertise to take on this role.

How were you able to secure your photographer position at Playboy in 1977?

"Kerry Morris was the Playboy Studio West manager and knew of my professional (outside) work during my student years at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara and earlier at the University of Arkansas. During both degrees I did off-campus professional assignments for major magazines resulting in over 500 magazine credits."

"Kerry invited me to join initially to assist and learn from the other photographers then to work with HEF as a photojournalist for the magazine. Although I did some nude shoots, more of my focus was on serving as HEF'S personal photographer and photographer of the Playboy Interviews, all the Mansion events, traveling with HEF."

"I transitioned to the VP Creative Director position in the early days of the new Entertainment Group. I had extensive background in marketing and design, separate from my professional photography career, which gave me the expertise to take on this role."

What was the biggest take away you took from working so closely with HEF?

Although he was demanding, he always gave an allowance when he could see I was pushing hard to make his directive come through.  Loyalty was of paramount importance."

"The level that he forced me to achieve has stayed with me throughout my career. It also made it difficult with leading other creative teams after Playboy, as it took a certain sacrifice and drive that my team at Playboy certainly had, but was beyond what others could achieve."

This was yet again - another fascinating interview Corinna & I had the privilege of hosting. HEF was absolute genius & visionary - and with that said - everyone of us who had the honor and privilege of working with HEF left a profound impact on each us, that we harness for the rest of our lives throughout our careers that we would go into, after life at PLAYBOY.

Corinna and Echo

This show is dedicated to the man we knew and loved so very much. Mr. Hugh M. Hefner   -- Pioneer + Visionary + Philanthropist + Boss + Friend  + Mentor

Corinna & I REUNITE with a few of our "PHENOMENAL PLAYMATE SISTERS" - which is the "Ultimate Sorority." 

These INCREDIBLY, VIBRANT, BEAUTIFUL, KIND and SUPER FUNNY, group of women, each carry the title of "PLAYBOYS PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR" known in the world of "PLAYBOY" as "PMOY." 

We are STOKED to bring you this very candid conversation with the incomparable PMOY 1990 - RENEE TENISON who shattered the glass ceiling of racism to become "THE 1st African American PMOY." Today Renee owns and operates vintage style clothing boutique in multiple locations.

AND PMOY '92 is not only my SUPERSTAR, COMEDIC GENIUS, CO-HOST who keeps me laughing every day - the one and only miss CORINNA HARNE. 

AND last but certainly not least - The extraordinary - BRANDE RODERICK - PMOY 2021. "PMOY" is a true honor. 

To be awarded with the title; Well, let’s just say you have truly reached "The Echelon" of a very rare and revered group of women, that exist in the world. You are being named and recognized as "ONE of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN in THE WORLD." A term that goes hand in hand, with the INFAMOUS title  "SUPERMODELS" the drop-dead gorgeous, exquisite, unique women; of the "ELITE" world - of the "Modeling Industry. No questions were off base - we laughed - we cried - we took a good look at our shared memory of being a part of HEF'S world and we rejoiced at how very grateful - how very certain - how very unique we each are because of the profoundly important and life changing moment in time that we were each selected to be Miss ? Playboys Playmate of the Month. 

AND what a better time to release this show. It just happens to be that we recorded this show 6 months previously - with ZERO idea about the current day "MEDIAS MAD DASH" to try and decimate the legacy, the character and the legend of the man behind this whole conversation. Our beloved - Hugh M. Hefner. 

Enjoy these bevy of beauties! Cheers! 

Corinna Harney + Echo Johnson

Michael Lee spent years at Playboy Enterprises Entertainment. First as the Senior Art Director and then went on to hold the title of "VP Creative Director." 

Challenged to develop creative strategy  and execute large scale projects for the entertainment division. Developed and optimized internal business capabilities and collaborated with cross function team collaborators, photographers,  and international PLAYBOY license holders to conceptualize and produce multimedia while maintaining brand consistency across diverse business lines.  Developed vision, business briefs and design requirements for trade, consumer advertising, electronic media and special events.  Directed photography project from concept to final retouching and key art completion. Selected locations, set designs and models and stylists for photo shoots. Contributed to design and development of corporate website.

*Michael Lee received numerous public awards and accolades. Including the "Golden Ink Award" from the printing industry association, Print Magazine, LA  Advertising for woman for outstanding overall achievement & design of logo types,  Jazz CD packaging, print communications and PR.*

The events that Michael created were nothing short of spectacular! It was an absolute honor to be a part of all of the spectacular events that Michael Lee was responsible for creating. You knew if you were chosen to work the event that you were going to be dressed in something  fabulous that we the PLAYMATES would all wear to mirror the theme of the event, to the actual events - rather HUGE Parties - where we entertained the guests and represented PLAYBOY as one of the chosen few, a "Playboy Playmate."

Thank you Michael Lee for sitting down with us for this outstanding interview! We adore you!

Echo & Corinna

James R. Petersen is a veteran of 30 years at Playboy Magazine. Hired to be the Playboy Advisor in 1973, for two decades he answered “All reasonable questions—from fashion, food and drink, stereo, sports cars to dating dilemmas, taste and etiquette.” He was, according to USA Today, “the number One source of sex advice in America.” That was his day job. An award-winning freelancer, he has written about adventure travel, motorcycling, windsurfing, kayaking, and skiing (he co-authored Playboy’s Guide to Ultimate Skiing).

Additionally, Petersen authored and collaborated with HUGH HEFNER to pen the revolutionary book "The Century of Sex"   

The infamous book presents a sweeping history that argues that the "sexual revolution" of the sixties and seventies was part of a larger social evolution. This evolution began generations before the advent of penicillin, Playboy, or the pill -- and produced seismic cultural shifts that have changed the way Americans live forever. HEFNER acted as the CHIEF EDITOR on the book.

Corinna & I LOVED this interview! And we know you will too! So tune in. Turn it up. And get lost in the fascinating history of PLAYBOY the EMPIRE.

On todays show Corinna & I sit down with our playmate sisters. Barbara Moore Miss December '92  & Carrie Stevens, Miss June '97.

JOIN us LIVE in the studio for a candid conversation about HEF - and the impact that PLAYBOY had on each of us.  

Barbara Moore & Carrie Stevens are legends in their own right. Not only are the two women two of PLAYBOYS most well known "Playboy Playmates." But they each have gone on to experience successful careers in the entertainment industry.

Not only is Moore one of the most popular swimwear, lingerie and pinup models in the world, she also holds the title of The U.S. National Pro-Am Standard Ballroom Champion two years undefeated in '02 and '03. Barbara is on the board of directors for the non-profit charity Beauty Saving The World helping to feed impoverished people. 

Barbara Moore currently is the Co-host at "Life Laughter Happiness," a daily live podcast on Blog Talk Radio. Barbara also is in production for her own podcast called "The Barbara Moore Show."  Coming soon to your favorite listening platform!

Find Barbara on IG & TWITTER:

Arny Freytag was a Playboy Staff Photographer for 36 years. He began his career shortly after he completed the photography program at the renowned "Brooks Institute." 

In 1976 Arny stepped through the doors of Playboy, beginning a tenure that would last for decades - and at one time he was one of only two photographers who produced the Playboy centerfold photographs. Arny also holds the record for most centerfolds shot! 150 to be exact, and I am honored that I too had the privilege and honor of working with Arny for the "Miss January '93" Centerfold Shoot. 

Freytag's last centerfold shoot was with Miss December 2012.

Thank you ARNY for joining us for this amazing interview! Once again we learned so much more about the history of PLAYBOY with particular focus on the undeniably recognized PLAYBOY Effect in terms of photography!