Head, Heart & Hustle

"Networking" may feel like a dirty word to many creatives and artists, but it shouldn't. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

My thoughts on the "quantity versus quality" approach to social media, especially as it relates to making connections with other artists and creatives.  In short, your network is not a bunch of baseball cards. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter.

The New York Times op-ed regarding Uma Thurman and Harvey Weinstein is important for creatives and artists. Here's why... https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/opinion/sunday/this-is-why-uma-thurman-is-angry.html

If you're an artist or creative and saw The Last Jedi, your opinion of the movie says a lot about you.  In this bonus episode, Allen shares his thoughts on The Last Jedi and weighs in on the love it/hate it debate among die-hard StarWars fans. He also explains his theory on why it's important to think about how we react to other creative works, and what that means for our own creative growth.  Check out the SlashFilm review by Jacob Hall, as well! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter. 

Season 2 is officially over, and Allen shares his thoughts on 2018 and what you can expect in Season 3. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I interview Eulanda & Omo Osagiede (@dipyourtoesin), London-based freelance writers and social influencers who run the travel blog Hey, Dip Your Toes In (also known as HDYTI). I love the brand they've created and was energized to hear how they make their side project work on top of their professional lives. If you've ever been interested in treating your creative passion like a business, this is the episode for you! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I interview Melody Peng (@Mpeng11), an actress in Los Angeles who has appeared on a variety of network and cable shows.  After moving to LA for a corporate job several years ago, Melody decided to go all in on acting and continues to work towards her big break. If you've ever wondered what it takes to move to Los Angeles and become a "struggling actor," this is the episode for you!  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I interview Ryan Dillion (@oysterpig), a classically-trained chef, punk rock and hardcore musician who's been creative his whole life. Growing up in Virginia, Ryan worked in restaurants and played music throughout his formative years, then studied at Virginia Tech and went to culinary school. He's lived in Boston, Raleigh, and earlier this year returned to his hometown. No matter where he's been, though, he's partnered with other creatives in both music and food. If you like creating things with other people, this episode's for you.  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter. 

In this episode, I interview Ramon Deslauriers (ramon_d on Instagram), an artist who enjoys manipulating and taking photos for digital media.  Ramon's ethereal approach to imagery is both trippy and mesmerizing, and he's heavily influenced by his 1980's childhood and love of fantasy. His cell phone is often his medium of choice, and Ramon admits that he's constantly consuming and producing imagery. Want to know what it's like to be an artist in a digital medium? This is the episode for you. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter. 

In this episode, I interview Jon Goldberg, a writer and creative director in the advertising world who recently finished a series of personal essays and is working on his first novel. Although he stumbled into ad writing after attempting to break into screenwriting in Los Angeles, Jon soon transitioned from being a professional creative to leading other advertising creatives for major New York agencies. Have dreams of working in the ad world? This is the episode for you! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I interview Ben Haley (yelahneb on Instagram), a stay-at-home dad with a lengthy list of creative experiences and projects. From producing Salon of Shame in Seattle, to taking photos, writing poetry, and playing drums, Ben has tapped into his creativity since he was a teenager.  Want to know what it takes to build a creative community for your projects? This is the episode for you. Visit us at headheartandhustle.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I interview James Mowdy (@JamesJetsOften), a brand consultant and creative analytic who helps opera singers build their own brands in the 21st century. James not only helps professional creatives learn storytelling and social media skills to build awareness, but he runs Operatawk, a live-streaming Q&A show about opera on Periscope. If you'd like to learn more about how to build your brand as an artist, this episode's for you!

In this episode, I interview Dr. Andrea Letamendi (@ArkhamAsylumDoc), a licensed clinical psychologist who expresses her creativity through a merger of her professional knowledge with a love of comics and all things geek. She hosts podcasts, runs panels at conventions, and has even become a character in the DC comics universe. Drea is one of a handful of real people to have been immortalized in this way, having been portrayed as a therapist to Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl). If you're a comics geek or academic, make sure you check this one out! Visit HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Rachel Caldwell, an illustrator and graphic designer who regularly finds her artwork tattooed on people around the world (or at least on people's T-shirts). As a child of painter Edward Gordon, Rachel explored her talents early on. Today she works professionally as a graphic designer but moonlights as a working artist, doing everything from commission work for heavy metal bands, to illustrating pop-up books on anatomy for children, to achieving income from multiple outlets such as Society6, Threadless, and others. If you're an illustrator or artist, this is a must-listen episode! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates. 

In this episode, I interview Nicole Piccolomini, an American-raised opera singer living in Berlin. Nicole grew up in Long Island, NY with a supportive mother who not only encouraged her love of music and Broadway but helped introduce Nicole to classical music.  Although Nicole grew up watching performances in Manhattan and renting VHS tapes of A Chorus Line, today she's a talented mezzo soprano known for her exceptional portrayal of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto.  If you're curious to know what it takes to be a professional opera singer, this is the episode for you! Visit HeadHeartandHustle.com or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Catherine Baab-Muguira (@Greedzilla1), a writer and journalist who's been published by Quartz, Fast Company, Playboy, Salon, New York Magazine, and others. Cat lives in New York City with her husband and juggles her writing with a day job that allows her to work from home. If you're a writer who dreams of moving to New York and sitting in cafes all day while you pen your novel, this is the episode for you! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Chris Spurvey (@ChrisSpurvey), an entrepreneur who's authored books, runs his own podcast and coaches others on selling and developing personal brands. Based in Newfoundland, Canada, Chris grew up in a strongly creative family and embraced his entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. If you're a creative who thinks "selling" is a four-letter word, this is the episode for you! Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Daniel Cousins, a New York City-based producer, performer, and 21st Century songwriter who defines his sound as supernatural electro rock. Daniel's not only been writing and performing music for years, but he acts in indie films, as well. He's a true working artist; holding down a full-time job, writing and performing, acting, and making it all work while living in one of the greatest cities for artists in the world. He may not be a household name, but if you want to hear from a down-to-earth, hardworking guy who's following his creative passions, this is one you should listen to. Visit HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Noah Scalin, an artist who first gained notoriety a little over a decade ago with his Webby Award-winning Skull-A-Day project (during which he produced a different piece of art containing a skull every day for a year). Today, Noah is the first artist-in-residence for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business. He runs Another Limited Rebellion, an art and innovation consulting firm, with his sister and leads a collaborative science fiction universe and art project called the League of Space Pirates. He's also authored six books on art and creativity and continues to create art for exhibitions around the world.  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

New episodes of the podcast are coming September 5th! Here's a quick update on what we'll have for listeners this fall.

Hey, folks. Spring is here, and that means more time outdoors and better weather. For me, it also means coaching Little League and planning a summer vacation. I'm also busy at work on the podcast; planning a bunch of interviews and editing a few recent ones.  To give myself a bit of breathing room, the podcast will be taking a short hiatus the next few months, with new episodes starting in late August. This gives me time to complete and lineup multiple episodes without a weekly deadline that gets even harder to meet when life gets hectic. I'll release a short episode announcing our new season in August. Until then, enjoy the other episodes and feel free to send any potential interviews my way.  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Kristen Kurtis (@KristenKurtis), morning show host and DJ at WXPN, a prominent independent radio station in Philadelphia. Kristen grew up surrounded by music and creativity, which translated into a lifelong love of music, books, and performing. Someone who understands the power of great radio stations, she's worked in Austin and other places before returning to her hometown a few years ago. As you'll see from the interview, not only is she a walking encyclopedia of all things radio and rock, but a die hard Gwennabe (Google it) and extremely well-read individual who know how to make the most of her creativity. (Dabbling in improv apparently helps, too!) Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Sharif Renno (@SharifRenno), a self-taught woodworker who manages to design and build furniture and art in his spare time. Although he started out playing in his high school band, the Wisconsin native also had an early interest in drafting. So when he moved out on his own and into his first apartment, he started experimenting with woodworking as a necessity simply to furnish his own place. Sharif hasn't looked back since.  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates. 

In this episode, I interview Rob Muller (@RotoTok), a lifelong musician, professional drummer, and music producer who also happens to enjoy photography. As someone who's signed three record contracts, Rob and I had a great chat about the realities of "making it" when a band signs to a record label, why everyone needs to make time for their art and passions, and what it takes to raise and encourage creative kids. He's a great guy, and it shows throughout our conversation. (By the way, sales from his album, Deep Blue Underneath, support a scholarship he founded for students at Indiana University.) Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Matt Boring (@TheBoringChef), a chef, professional gamer, and all-round Renaissance Man.  To be honest, I had a tough time keeping up with all of Matt's projects and interests. A lifelong learner, Matt had a successful career as an executive chef before getting a public relations degree and moving into social media for a living. He's played video games professionally, learned piano, worked on houses, and more. His creative "bucket list" includes rebuilding a car, making his own knives, and creating art out of wooden blocks to resemble 8-bit pixelated images. And if anyone I know is capable of doing all these things, it's this guy. We had a great conversation about creativity and learning that everyone will love; no matter your interests. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Nicolette Orlemans (@Nicolette_O), a travel blogger and founder of Culture With Travel (@CultureWithTrav). Born in the Netherlands, Nicolette moved to the U.S. as a child and spent much of her life traveling the world. She currently lives in New York City and works in social media, which led her to start a side project of Twitter Chats that soon evolved into a curated blog about travel with a wide range of contributors.  In addition to Twitter, you can find Nicolette on the Culture With Travel website. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Keith Boswell (@keithboswell), an extremely creative individual with a unique hobby; collecting toys and posting them on Instagram.  Keith and I had a chance to sit down for an interview while attending a conference in Florida, and we talked quite a bit about toys as an up-and-coming art medium. We also chatted about raising creative children, and what it was like being a creative in the dotcom world of the late 90's.  In addition to Twitter, check out Keith's Instagram feed to see his toys in action.  Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Brandy Mann (@BrandyEMann and @MannlyMama), a "Mommy Blogger" whose creative outlet evolved out of experiences in her personal life. As a successful professional living in Raleigh, NC, Brandy juggles a demanding job with family, parenting, and her volunteer work - all while blogging and maintaining a network of similar creative women.  In addition to Twitter, you can find Brandy at MannlyMama.com. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview my colleague, designer and illustrator Meg Shearer (@MegsArtTweet). Meg and I have worked together for years, and although she's professionally trained as a designer, her real love is illustration, especially stippling and Victorian-era illustrations. Meg designed the logo for Head, Heart & Hustle, and you can find her work on Society6. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview my good friend Brian Ward (@BWard028), a producer for Shout! Factory in Los Angeles. Like CeCe Pleasants, the profile of our first episode, Brian spent some of his teen years in Richmond, VA and worked at an amusement park. (In fact, he worked for me, dressing up as Yogi Bear while I ran the park's character program.) As I mentioned in the introduction to the podcast, Brian and CeCe were both influential in making Head, Heart & Hustle a reality, and I was thrilled when he and I finally got an interview scheduled. As you'll see, he's a busy guy with a podcast of his own, constant cosplay projects, hosting panels at major conventions such as San Diego Comic Con, and creating short films in just 48 hours with friends - all on top of a filmmaking and production job. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, we talk with John Piljer and Matt Taddei, two buddies in Phoenixville, PA who have been recording under the name Starch to Sugar since 2010. These great musicians not only agreed to be interviewed but volunteered to write and record music for the show, as well. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

In this episode, I interview Arielle Tannenbaum (@ariellemargot), a Community Champion at Buffer who's also a health coach and community advocate. Arielle grew up dancing and founded a dance festival in college, and today she remains passionate about health and wellness. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com Twitter: @HeadHeartHustl Facebook: Head, Heart & Hustle LinkedIn: Head, Heart & Hustle Google+: Head, Heart & Hustle Our logo was created by Meg Shearer (@MegsArtTweet). If you're digging it, check out her other work on Society6.

In this first episode, I reached out to my long-time friend CeCe Pleasants (@CeCePleasants), a successful, Emmy-nominated comedy writer who's worked with Arsenio Hall, Ellen DeGeneres, Carlos Mencia, Paul F Tompkins, and others. She's currently writing for a new Bill Nye show coming to Netflix. CeCe and I have known each other since we were teenagers growing up outside of Richmond, VA, so she was a slam-dunk for my first episode. (I'm definitely setting the bar high here, people.) Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Want to know what the podcast is about? Start here for a brief overview and introduction. In this episode, your host Allen Plummer (@MktrAllen) shares his own background and creative outlets, as well as how the idea for Head, Heart & Hustle started. He also explains the meaning of the podcast name, what to expect from each episode, and how to find the podcast on the web. Visit us at HeadHeartandHustle.com and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.