GATSBY FRIDAYS

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You’re invited to a speakeasy like no other. Welcome to GATSBY FRIDAYS ! A podcast about getting the best out of a creative life from two Creative Directors working around the world and based in New York City.

Alex Chimilio & Serra Semi


    • Aug 23, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 67 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The GATSBY FRIDAYS podcast is a gem for anyone who appreciates insightful and entertaining conversations about creativity, New York culture, and current events. Hosted by Alex and Serra, this podcast offers a dynamic and engaging listening experience that is both inspiring and informative. From the love letter to New York episode that evokes a sense of nostalgia to discussions on passion projects and the challenges of being a designer, each episode is filled with rich, earnest conversations that captivate and resonate with listeners.

    One of the best aspects of The GATSBY FRIDAYS podcast is the chemistry between Alex and Serra. Their combined experiences as creatives bring new insights into the artistic world, making it relatable and enlightening for fellow low-key creatives. Their genuine conversations about life, design, and overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of creativity provide valuable advice and encouragement for those navigating their own creative journeys.

    Another highlight of this podcast is its varied content. Each episode covers diverse topics ranging from career advice to pop culture icons to communal experiences during quarantine. This variety keeps the podcast fresh and ensures that there's something for everyone. Additionally, the cocktail segment at the end adds a fun bonus to every episode, creating a delightful atmosphere reminiscent of happy hour discussions with friends.

    While it's challenging to find any major drawbacks in The GATSBY FRIDAYS podcast, one minor criticism could be that some episodes may not resonate equally with all listeners. As with any podcast covering different subjects, personal preferences may influence an individual's interest in specific episodes. However, given the wide range of topics covered by Alex and Serra, there is sure to be something for everyone throughout their extensive catalog.

    In conclusion, The GATSBY FRIDAYS podcast is highly recommended for anyone seeking inspiration, insights into the creative world or simply looking for an enjoyable listening experience. With its engaging hosts, informative content on various subjects related to creativity and New York culture, and the added bonus of cocktail discussions, this podcast stands out as a must-listen. Whether you're a creative looking for guidance or simply someone interested in gaining insight into the creative mindset, The GATSBY FRIDAYS podcast is sure to entertain and inspire.



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    Latest episodes from GATSBY FRIDAYS

    PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN WITH TIM O'LEARY Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 3:17


    Space & Creativity! Listen to our guest Tim O'Leary's thoughts on the interaction of space and creativity at the Kennedy Center. Catch the fourth part of "Pulling Back the Curtain with Tim O'Leary" now streaming on Spotify. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN WITH TIM O'LEARY Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 6:06


    Classical to modern, how our guest Tim O'Leary tells us how he plays with creativity to keep new and old audiences engaged at the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. Catch the third part of "Pulling Back the Curtain with Tim O'Leary" now streaming on Spotify. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN WITH TIM O'LEARY Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 14:00


    Our guest Tim O'Leary talks abut his musical journey to becoming General Director of Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. Catch the second part of "Pulling Back the Curtain with Tim O'Leary" now streaming on Spotify. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN WITH TIM O'LEARY Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 8:09


    Tapping into a new creative realm, we're talking about creativity, space and music with Tim O'Leary — General Director of Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    DESIGN BOOK CLUB: Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act" Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 1:20


    Our favorite part of this and every episode, we have a signature cocktail recipe in the spirit of Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act" #gastbyfridays #gastbyfridayspodcast #culturepodcast #designpodcast #TheCreativeAct #RickRubin #creativity #motivational #growth #bookish #booklover #bookgram #booksbooksbooks #booksconnectus #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookworm #bookreview #books #bookobsessed #ilovereading #pepolewhoread #readersofinstagram #read #readers #readreadread #readmorebooks #titosvodka #Guayaki #YerbaMate

    DESIGN BOOK CLUB: Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act" Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 7:35


    In a new feature of the show, Alex & Serra share "One Cool Thing" they found this month. Check out the episode to find out what they picked.

    DESIGN BOOK CLUB: Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act" Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 38:09


    Getting into the mystical mumbo jumbo and design conversation! Design Book Club is back with Rick Rubin's, The Creative Act: A Way of Being. This book is everywhere so we had see if the wisdom it imparts resonates with our own creative process. Roll with us as we dive into The Creative Act, THIS IS GASTBY FRIDAYS!

    DESIGN BOOK CLUB: Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 12:27


    Design Book Club is back with Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." This book is everywhere and we had see if the wisdom it imparts resonates with our own creative process. Roll with us as we dive into The Creative Act, THIS IS GASTBY FRIDAYS!

    Creativity Grows in Brooklyn, Sunset Park - Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 1:24


    Just in time for happy hour! Catch the latest installment of our Sunset Park videocast episode for the favorite Gatsby Fridays feature, the signature cocktail!

    Creativity Grows in Brooklyn, Sunset Park - Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 2:14


    Let's check in! Catch the next installment of us going down the memory lane, eating our way through Alex's home neighborhood of Sunset Park in Brooklyn.

    Creativity Grows in Brooklyn, Sunset Park - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 2:17


    Follow us as we eat our way through Alex's home neighborhood Sunset Park on the second part of our new short and sweet videocast series. This is Gatsby Fridays!

    Creativity Grows in Brooklyn, Sunset Park - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 1:51


    Hello, and welcome to our 5th season! Today we take you on a tour of the neighborhood Alex grew up in, Sunset Park Brooklyn. Follow Serra and Alex taking in the culture, art, and (most importantly) the food of this vibrant neighborhood. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Pop Culture Legacy: Keanu Reeves

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 31:49


    On our final episode of the season, we talk about the one and ONLY Keanu Reeves! We look at what he has meant to our cultural landscape and his iconic legacy. So hang with us as we strive to “Be excellent to each other, and party on dudes!” On our season finale, Pop Culture Legacy: Keanu Reeves! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    The Solo Act

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 28:26


    Creating is a solo act. We take a look at famous creators' and artists' processes and our own ways of creating, getting into what it really takes to make things. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Down & Out in the L.E.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 41:45


    A New York neighborhood we have fond memories of. Oh to be 20 again (NOT)! We talk about how has L.E.S. changed over the years for the best or the worst.  This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Mid '90s, Sub-Pop & Beyond with Michael Colovos

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 39:49


    We talk with fashion designer and artist Michael Colovos, about the '90s, music, art, and subcultures that have influenced his creative process. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Brave New World: A.I. in a Creative Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 26:48


    What does it mean to live in a world where A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) technology can create images, logos, and photos from just a few keywords? How will it change the way we create art for ourselves and professionally? Today, we explore the brand new world of A.I. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Question Everything: Virgil Abloh's “Figures of Speech”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2023 55:21


    Join us on our trip to the Brooklyn Museum to view the Virgil Abloh exhibition “Figures of Speech." We take a look at his life and work, and the impact he had on the creative world from art and fashion to music and culture. Hang with us as we talk “Question Everything!" This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Own Your Wins: Flipping the Impostor Syndrome

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 30:58


    How does the dreaded Imposter Syndrome impact our creative professional lives and what can we learn from our failures? We question why it's important to look past the losses and turn them into wins. So hang with us as we debunk the impostor syndrome! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    The stories we tell: Storytelling with Jonathan Jarvis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 65:53


    We get into the craft of storytelling with special guest Jonathan Jarvis. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    YOU MUST CREATE!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 29:07


    Today in our display for ”all to see” online culture, we ask, is there a creative need to live our lives on view for professional gain? What are the benefits and pitfalls of constantly generating content for likes and clicks? This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Broken Hearts, Creative Output

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 32:05


    We are always creating. This constant output means our work reflects our emotional state at that moment, whether it's joyful or dark.  In return, creative expression gives us a tool to process all those feels. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Burden of Creativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 22:43


    We discuss how the notion of the creative genius is changing and how we are no longer accepting the tyrannical rule of the tortured artist. We talk about how we struggle with the stereotype in our professional lives and take a deep dive into our own process. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Missed Opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 35:00


    Today we talk about “Missed Opportunities”. We ask, what were the projects we wished we had done, and discuss how not to get in our own way of an opportunity. This is GASTBY FRIDAYS!

    Burn Notice

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 35:39


    The burnout we experienced last year made us rethink a true work-life balance. We ask, how do we navigate friendship and a creative partnership at the same time? This week we send our Burn Notice. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    The Great Take Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2022 29:22


    We are back, and we want better! On our Season 4 premiere, we discuss taking back our power. We talk about how we find purpose and balance and upend notions of a “work first" life. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Pop Culture Legacy: Dolly Parton

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 37:36


    We celebrate the Pop Culture Legacy of the one and only Dolly Parton! We talk about her legacy as a visual icon and how her image endures today. Join us in our love-fest for Dolly, this is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    The Write Practice with guest Victor LaValle

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 50:06


    Today we talk about the process of writing and collaborating with visual creatives with special guest, Victor LaValle. Writing is an important part of the creative process. Visual artist's sometimes face challenges finding words to express themes and ideas. We discuss ways writing has impacted our creative lives professionally and personal. Hang with use as we find The Write Practice, this is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Creativity & Agelessness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2021 39:31


    Does your age effect how you work at your creative job and your career path? Join us as we discuss ways in which ageism has effected our careers for better and worse and how we are fostering a more age friendly working environment. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Places & Spaces

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2021 44:29


    From sitting on a park bench or a café to the halls of your favorite museum, where do you go to recharge? We talk about how environments, natural or manmade influence our creative process. We discuss our favorite places that move us and why in this weeks episode: Places & Spaces. This is GASTBY FRIDAYS!

    A Year of Conversations and Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 46:41


    In the summer of 2020 the world got put on hold because of a pandemic and we found ourselves in a moment no longer possible to hold our words in. One year, 3 seasons and 36 episodes later, we find that there is still more work to be done. More words to put out into the world to change it for the better. And we always raise a glass to cherish the good moments and the people we get to share it all with. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS, one year anniversary!

    Embracing The Unexpected

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 39:44


    There's no one right way when it comes to creative process. As the great Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth.” This week we dive into the unexpected challenges life throws out in order to find creative breakthroughs. This is GASTBY FRIDAYS!

    Blurred Lines 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 30:45


    What does it take to create a great design team? What are the roles? Why is the Creative Director not a design position? We talk about the titles and roles and how sometimes those lines blur. Join us as we put on many hats in: Blurred Lines 101. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    The New Gilded Age

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2021 45:39


    Are we at the start of a roaring twenties revival? Why are the 90's hot again? This week we go back in time to unlock design trends from the past as we look forward to our post pandemic future. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Shine Brighter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 22:17


    For professionals of all stripes, seasoned or just starting out, we dig into strategies we use to set ourselves apart and find success. We talk about being vulnerable and our own challenges. Plus, we share our take on why it's essential to nurture your own passions through your journey. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Super Duos: The Power of Dynamic Partnerships

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2021 33:46


    What makes a good creative partnership? Can we work with our friends? This week join us as we delve into what forged our creative partnership and how we keep up the momentum. Stay with us as we power up, as Dynamic Duos! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Reinvention, with guest Hani Furstenberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2021 30:52


    Today we turn inwards and ask ourselves how reinvention informs our creative paths, with special guest Hani Furstenberg. We discuss what are catalysts for reinvention, and how that reflection shapes our lives. So hang with us as we take on Reinvention! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    SoHo Rhapsody

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2021 30:43


    Walk with us as we talk how SoHo was a center for art and creativity before turning into its commercial version today, like an outdoor mall. We go back to last summer how the protests and boarded up store windows turned the streets into an open air art gallery, returning SoHo to its creative roots. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Rolling With It

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 33:50


    Find-out how we find space to be flexible with our process, carve out time for creative thought and partnerships.. This week, we "Roll With It!" This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    A day in Nature and Art at Dia:Beacon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 44:11


    Come with us as we walk the galleries and immerse ourselves in nature, art and sound. This week we head north of the city to Dia:Beacon to fill our creative well. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    nature dia beacon
    Design Book Club: The Edit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 37:57


    This week we review our personal connections to the books we have in our libraries. We discuss how design books have changed narratives over time in light of our new cultural awareness. We ask how have they aged. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Movie Night: The Matrix

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 36:06


    This Friday is Movie Night! We go back to '99, as the Wachowskis changed the genre of sci-fi with The Matrix. We examine how The Matrix parallels our world today and explore its philosophical debate. Grab your favorite snack and as we “jack into” The Matrix! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Quarantine Anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 36:47


    We look back at the year that changed the world and how it effects our daily lives and creative approach. What are the lessons learned? What are we keeping and what are we leaving behind? Listen in to our Quarantine Anniversary special. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Separating the Art From the Artist

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 45:37


    This week we come to grips and struggle with how to reexamine three controversial artists' legacies and what their work means to us now. Can we truly separate an artist from their work? Stay with us as we dive deep into this week's conversation. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Image & Representation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 44:19


    We want MORE! This week in our Season 3 opener, we discuss the changing face of our political, social and cultural media landscape. Stay with us as we get into why image and representation matters. This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Pop Culture Legacy: Blank Canvas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2020 36:48


    In our Season 2 finale we continue our series, Pop Culture Legacy. We discuss the notebook, from composition to tablet. Stay with us as we mark up a few pages! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Immigration & Belonging

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2020 45:51


    What is home? This week we discuss the immigration experience, and many ways a sense of place merges with emotion to make home and belonging — personal and communal practice. Join us, this is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Chelsea in Three Acts

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2020 23:03


    This week we venture out to Chelsea, the art center of NYC, where art and creative is still thriving. We walk the High Line and end up at our favorite spot to discuss our day, as we always do. Listen to a whole day of art and fun as we walk Chelsea In Three Acts. THIS IS GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Design Book Club, The Next Chapter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 36:20


    We get into our book obsessions through food and fashion to reveal the connections between story-telling, design and how they help our creative process. Feed your soul, and throw on a cozy sweater as we talk books! This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    How it Started, How it's Going

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 44:04


    We turn the lens in and play “How It started, How It's Going.” This week we discuss the ups and downs as creatives navigating what the challenges of producing a podcast are. Join us and find out “How It Started, How It's Going.” This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

    Passion Projects

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 34:26


    We have a desire to tell stories, an itch to put new ideas Into the world. How do we start and maintain momentum? This week we talk about “Passion Projects." This is GATSBY FRIDAYS!

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