Even before he was “DJ Conner,” Michael Fishman was a working-class kid raised by, as he puts it, 'a farm girl from Virginia and an immigrant father'. That blue-collar pride still defines and inspires him today in the important work he's doing within the mental health space.
In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Michael takes us back to the moment his life changed forever: the Roseanne audition. While dozens of kids were asked to tell a joke, he was the only one who actually did, and that single moment opened the door to one of television’s most iconic families.
Michael reflects on his relationship with Roseanne Barr as one rooted in mutual support, advocacy, and honesty.
He opens up about the infamous National Anthem moment and the dark turning point that followed, when he (along with the entire cast) began receiving death threats, which unfortunately continue to this day.
With tactical training and a sober understanding of celebrity risk, Michael explains why public life can feel like living under a magnifying glass and how quickly admiration can escalate into rage and danger.
Michael describes himself as a “young witness” on a highly volatile set, inconspicuous because of his age, yet uniquely positioned to observe the power of a woman who was unafraid to say the hard thing, be a lightning rod, and push conversations forward long before it was fashionable to do so (stay ’til the end for a round of Roseanne 'Guest Star Roulette' where Michael fondly recalls a memorable appearances, by before-they-were-famous stars!)
Today, Michael calls himself a “kindness assassin.” His brand is authenticity, no filters, no fake persona, no algorithm-chasing, and he has intentionally built online spaces where people can breathe, be vulnerable, share and heal in community away from the constant churn of politics and vitriol.
He speaks candidly about navigating relationships with people whose views differ from his own, including Roseanne, and why he believes compassion does not require agreement.
His message is simple but urgent: find commonality, keep loving the person, and remember that meaningful change often comes from those willing to absorb the lightning.
From his child actor start to his director turn on the Roseanne reboot, to his life philosophies on trauma, mental health, and resilience, Michael leaves us with one powerful truth: You are not your scars. You get to define you.
In current media --
Fritz: Danny Collins, recently added to Netflix library
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Have you ever become obsessed with a topic and taken a deep dive into consuming all you could uncover about it?
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